New to guns and wondering about carrying rifles/shotguns in vehicle...

[SilentStalker]

As the thread states I am wondering what is needed, if anything, to carry a rifle/shotgun in a vehicle. I know this probably varies from state-to-state, but I was curious as to whether you need a special permit or anything to carry like this. The reason I am asking is because I have recently become very active in hiking and I plan on going on some trails in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee this spring and am a little concerned with bears and whatnot. So, I was thinking of carrying a shotgun or a rifle with good stopping power of course (open to suggestions) just to have around. You never know who or what you can stumble upon in a huge national forest. I know that the area only contains Black Bears (mostly plant eaters) which are a lot less aggressive than their western couterparts, the grizzly bear, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

I used to hike around the area when I was a kid and one day on one of my hikes when I was about 10 me and some friends stumbled upon some cubs, needless to say momma bear was near and obviously became aggressive when she found out we were close to her young offspring. We were lucky that day because while Black bears may not be as big nor as aggressive as the grizzly they still are not an animal that you want to piss off. Obviously, we made it out unharmed but I don't want to be in that situation again.

 

[Winger Ed.]

It does vary from state to state.

To get it straight from the horse's mouth, ask your local FFL or gun store to see the book they get every year or so listing all the individual state firearms laws. Every FFL holder/gun store gets this book from the govt. periodically. It comes out just like your telephone book does.

Don't trust the local Barney Fife, or Bubba on this. Read the book.
Flip to your state, and they are all there.

If you can't get ahold of one in a timely manner. PM me, and I'll have the few pages of your state's firearms laws faxed to ya out of mine.

 

[BT100]

NRA

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Default.aspx
This link is from the NRA website on gun laws. It will have all the info you need, I'm sure. Good shooting. BT

 

[gunsmith]

most national parks prohibit guns

national forest however generally fall under state law...strange as it sounds CA law is better then FL law when your in the nat forest.

I am willing to bet you may not carry in great smokey nat park

 

[22-rimfire]

No guns of any kind are legal to carry either in your car or on the trail in National Parks. That means no guns period. Not everyone obeys this rule, but that is the rule. I believe you can have firearms in your vehicle when you are "passing through" a national park.