Trip to the Great Smokey Moutains Open Carry?

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Big Boomer

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Taking a trip to the Great Smokey Mountains from Austin, TX I've got a CHL and seem to be fine (reciprocity) the entire way there.

Now it seems that with a CHL it is legal to Open Carry in TN. This makes me drool! I just wanted to see what to look out for, places off limits etc?

I've read the sites and have a general idea but am a bit confused as to what signs will get you in trouble.

The main thing I am concerned about is hiking, I'll be packing a large revolver and must open carry it. After the changes in the park law we should be able to carry there now with CHL concealed, but because TN allows open carry with a CHL I should be able to open carry in the park right?

Please let me know. Thanks in advance to everyone!
 
Carrying a hand gun will fall under the regulations of NC or TN depending on which state you are physically located inside the park. Here is what the Park requirements are. You probably have already been to this site, but it is attached for your information. There are links to the two states from this site as well as other information. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm

You ofcourse are familiar with carrying inside Federal facilities inside the park. But it would appear this is not an issue for you. Basically you can not carry a firearm inside these facilities such as visitor centers, nature centers, etc.

You said Tennessee, here is an opinion by the State Attorney General on Concealed and unconcealed handguns.
http://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/op/2005/op/op154.pdf

As a general rule, in urban areas, the police frown on open carrying but have no issue with concealed carry. In the woods, I suspect nobody would have a problem with open carry as long as you follow the rules set forth by the states involved and the national park.

I am not a lawyer. So read the information and make your judgements. I personally have not open carried inside the park. Be aware that there are different guidelines for the National Forests that are adjacent to the park.

If you are taking pets, I would suggest you look at the regulations in that regard.
 
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It is legal to carry inside the park as mentioned earlier, but it is not legal to discharge your weapon. I would assume that in a self defense situation it is okay which is the whole purpose of carrying inside the park.

There have been many threads on National Park carry which generally apply relative to the individual states' rules where the park is located.

Many want to open carry inside TN with their HCP. As I understand it, it is technicaly legal to carry anywhere inside the state except for excluded areas such as Federal facilities and so forth. This applies to handguns, not long guns. You will still have to lock your long guns inside your trunk inside the Park.

Check out Falls Creek State Park if you have time. It is very nice in the fall of the year.

Check out Smokey Mt Knife Works in Sevierville if you like knives.
 
I would love to open carry, though the the main thing I am concerned with is bear protection in the woods.

I know that any of the facilities are going to be federal buildings and a no carry zone. I didn't bring any long guns with me. If I had to actually shoot a bear, I think the last thing in the world I would be concerned about would be beating a rap for discharging a firearm lol

I will be heading to gatlinburg and staying there a couple of days. How are they there about OC? Never had the pleasure except for hunting.
 
Big carry Bear Spray. IT works. Also it might be legal to OC just be prepared for some tourist to call 911 on you. Gatlinburd and peagon forge can have about as many people per mile as dallas at times.. leaves are about gone to. A few I have meet that are turly traveling on the app.trail that do carry on the try do so discreetly in a pancake holster or shoulder under a coat They do not try to draw attention to them selfs. Takes away from a nice time when the park service hassles you. There as also nothing up here thats needs a Large revolver that a 2" 357 or even a high cap 9mm, 40 or 45 pistol can;t take carry of . Specialy with spray first. Remember to any where you pay a fee to inter is off limits. atleast in NC
 
Really good advice from hardluck1. I don't like attention, so I would try to carry concealed. YMMV. There are a LOT of people out there, even on most trails. Enjoy your trip and take in the scenery!
 
Been making 1-2 trips to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mt park each year for most of my life. While legal, I've never seen anyone open carry there. It would probably draw more attention than I'd be willing to want just to prove a point. I keep mine concealed.

I've carried in the park several times since the law changed. I carry a G-20 concealed loaded with 200 gr Doubletap just in case a bear gets agressive. And they sometimes do. They had to kill a bear about a year an a half ago when it bit a hiker on his foot. There have been seveal incidents in or near the park in the last 10 years or so with 2 killed and a couple more injured.
 
jmr40 - Are the rangers still trapping & shooting the Park's escaped hogs?
I recall feral hogs rooting up the high elevation meadows that deer feed at.
 
I have not been in the park in 15 years. There were many bears and hogs then. It must be more likely to see them now. We traveled on horse back one time I was there and that was a great trip. Enjoy!
 
Just don't forget some bear spray if spending time on trail. Be smart not all bada**ed up up and try'n to impress those that could care less or the ones that will call the park service officers.. Those federal leo's tend to make regular officers look all layed back at times.
 
You don't need a firearm for bears in this area. Hogs, on the other hand, might be a cause to carry. If you tell someone that you're carrying because of black bears they'll think you're crazy. If you tell them it's because of hogs they'll just think you're a silly flatlander, but they won't think you need to be locked up in a quiet room wearing an uncomfortable canvas jacket. Having hiked the GSMNP and surrounds all my life and encountered literally dozens of black bears over the years I've only been concerned about the behavior of two bears. One had 2 cubs with her and we apparently were needing to go in the same direction on the trail. I chose another path and gave her right of way. The second was a bear that I never saw that paralleled me off the trial for close to 20 minutes. Both of those encounters occurred in Elkmont area of the park and I've never had a problem in any of the other areas. Thats dozens of encounters with bears in the woods and never a direct threat of a problem. Count the millions of people that visit GSMNP every year and the odds of encountering a problem bear are miniscule. Follow good bear sense, leave them alone and they'll leave you alone, keep food sealed and away from camp, don't try to get close and don't trap them so they can't get away, and you'll be fine.

Remember that Gatlinburg is a tourist community. While I spend as little time there as possible (throngs of goofy tourons crowded together wandering the streets buying junk don't excite me) I have never seen anyone open carrying in nearly 40 years of memory. This will be one of their busier seasons and the sidewalks will be packed with all sorts of people shuffling along like zombies. Do not expect them to be happy if you OC and make the herd animals being fleeced nervous. Violent crime in Gatlinburg is nearly nonexistent.

Keep in mind that the "gun buster" sign is valid in TN and that a business posted with the sign is off limits. Lots of places that you would want to visit in Gatlinburg are posted.
 
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I'll be packing a large revolver and must open carry it.

I dunno what you consider large, but I can fit a 4 inch model 29 in one of these (there are more sizes than that page lists).
 
I was hesitant to say "don't" OC in Gatlinburg, but that is my opinion as well. Remember there are other charges that can be brought against you, which even if dropped, would certainly ruin your day or vacation. It is a tourist town. The fall is a busy time. I also don't believe you need a "big" revolver with you along the trail in the Smoke's. But black bears and feral pigs are wild animals and you could be the one in a million case....
 
OT but has anyone else noticed that Gatlinburg is the airsoft capital of the world? It seems every other window is full of cheap airsoft gear.
 
Keep it concealed and the problems disappear. The Brownies are not looking for trouble. Coming from the south, I have encountered both problem bears and problem people (not hikers) Bears usually ran off when we struck aluminum pots with large spoons. We also pelted them with rocks. Problem people required branishing a firearm and explaining proper trail manners. We thought them robbing our hikers of watches and cash was wrong and they thought they were entitled to flatlander booty. After all, no one complained much in the past. Local law was totally disinterested sorry to say. This was on the border of NC and VA about 8 years ago. Since then I have not been back.
 
Mostly just concerned about getting in the way of a momma and her cubs. The deer came within touching distance, even a 10 point buck. None of the wildlife seems to care about humans. They don't seem to be scared of them at all. That is the part that worries me a bit.

Hiked some trails but haven't made it to GSMNP yet. I've got a few different guns with me, most I'd be hesitant to shoot a bear with. I don't think my 1911 or my snubby 357 would do much. But the snubby I've got some hot 180gr hardcast that might do the trick.

The other couple are what the wife would be packing, a 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt and then I did bring my Magnum Research 500 10" with hardcast as well. I wasn't sure what I would run into so I threw it in the car. The colt rides in an old western leather hip holster with bullets holders around it. The 500 in a black shoulder holster (can't really see it). I'd be comfortable running a trail with it but not in town. Wasn't expecting to see quite so many people here as I have. Tomorrow we are heading to our cabin and off to hiking from there. I wanted to give the 500 some leg stretching but may nix that idea once we get there. I've got a camera and bag I've got to pack with me as well, so weight might be an issue.

It's been a fun trip so far. Got to go to the Corvette Museum and to Mammoth Caves. So looks like it's mostly going to be a concealed trip. Kind of a bummer. Wish they would pass OC in Texas! Y'all are right, I'd hate for it to ruin my trip. Shouldn't have an issue in the woods though. We will see when we get there. Not sure of the trails or what we will be hiking on or the amount of people. Thanks for the replies!

Anyone that has any experience open carrying or carrying in the park please post!
 
I have been in the Smokies a lot in the last 25 years. Eleven of those years I was a Deputy sheriff. I have never OC there. The Feds explained that if they saw it they would have to charge. Now the rules have changed, but old habits die hard.
lt
 
BB,

I've never seen anyone OC in the GSMNP. Your level of concern about black bears is unwarranted. Cubs don't get far from momma and if you're not walking around like a zombie you'll know where her and her's are. Just don't get between them and don't hem them in. Respect that they're large wild omnivores and give right of way to the wildlife and you'll be fine. You're much better off carrying an air horn and bear spray if you're concerned.

Told you that Gatlinburg was a crowded tourist trap.;)
 
This time of year it is easy to conceal even a large revolver under a jacket.

What is the point of OC? Yeah, I know its our 2A right and everything, but you will draw attention, especially in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Seveirville. In the woods, not so much but you will run into sheeple in the park who may go running, and screaming to the park rangers that there is a crazy man with a gun in the park. I don't need that kind of BS on vacation.
 
I wouldn't OC in Gatlinburg, either but I doubt anyone would notice. People openly carry some pretty weird things in that town. The tourists who see your gun are likely to think it's an AirSoft you just picked up in one of the dozens of stores selling them.

I think the prohibition against carrying guns in bars is still in effect in Tennessee. If so, be careful. A lot of places in G'burg serve alcohol.
 
I think the prohibition against carrying guns in bars is still in effect in Tennessee.
Click to expand...

Incorrect, you just can't drink and carry. You can carry in restaurants that serve alcohol as long as they don't post against it. A simple gunbuster sign on the door is sufficient.

BTW, you can't get a beer permit or liquor license if you don't serve hot food so there aren't any pure "bars" in TN like other states.
 
I agree with the others, I don't think open carry would be advisable. I live 60 miles north of the park. The temps are getting real cool, The forecast is for High's around 50 and lows is the 30's for the weekend of 10/29/11 and it's gonna get colder as time goes on. You have to remember that most people in the park are tourists and a large segment of those are city folks. Some of which you'll freak out with the big iron on your hipp. Just save yourself the hassel and pack it away in something. You're not gonna need to quick draw on a black bear. And I doubt that you'll even see a hog as they tend to stay away from high human usage trails.
 
Read a good study of black bear attacks in the Wildlife Journal (designed for wildlife biologists) recently. It documented all reported black bear attacks resulting in fatalities for decades. It stated that almost all black bear attacks are committed by male bears, unlike grizzly attacks that are often females protecting cubs. Females black bears just don't seem to have the 'attack to protect cubs' traits that the bigger grizzlies and brown bears do.

The one big failing in the study was the failure to study non-fatal attacks. I'll bet most black bear attacks are non-fatal.
 
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