Open carry in Tennessee state parks?

[NavyLCDR]

Open carry is legal in many states but unless you will be hiking and camping in a remote area, I would strongly recommend you go with CC. Right or wrong, legal or otherwise; many people become worried when they see someone with a gun. Too avoid bringing unnessary attention your direction, stick with CC.

95% of attention I receive while open carrying is positive, supportive, and many times educational to a person asking questions about it. 4 out 5 times there have been negative reactions have come from people who have concealed carry permits that can't resist the urge to tell me about their permit and concealed guns and that I should conceal mine too. I've been open carrying for 6 years now in Washington state.

 

[bassdogs]

Well congrats on your experience but it all depends on where you live. Not saying any thing bad about open carry, but you will create a lot of attention from the people you run into. Maybe you want the attention [and I agree that much of it maybe even most of it will be positive] but that occasional interaction by a park ranger or just another camper might be avoided by just putting it under a jacket. What they don't see will keep your privacy and you will have all the peace of mind you want.

I open carried in Alaska and never had the first question from anyone. Walmart in Anchorage or the trading post in the boonies up there they pretty much assume that most are armed. In Tn not so much. People not wanting to draw attention to themselves will often be better served by keeping their firearm concealed.

 

[taliv]

without commenting on the larger context of open carry walking around town, i'd say if you're bringing your own family/friends and you just want to be left alone to enjoy nature, then open carry is probably fine. if you are planning to interact with strangers and participate in the sort of trail culture and experience, you would likely get less 'southern hospitality' from some people for open carrying. i doubt anyone would call the police or create trouble; just cold shoulders.

 

[Narwhal]

I already did the hike and didn't carry anything at all, not even bear spray. We saw dozens, if not a hundred people on the trail during our day hike. The only animals I saw were people's dogs and birds/insects.

The person I was hiking with overstated the danger, they're the ones that had asked me if I would carry a gun on the trail. Since they had been there before and I hadn't, I figured I'd at least consider their request. Where we were, I can't imagine there was a bear within a mile of us at any time.

I definitely would not have wanted to be open carrying in that kind of mixed company, especially without some kind of retention holster (so many people out there). I probably would've looked like a paranoid idiot.

 

[22-rimfire]

Glad you had a good experience at Roan Mt. I sort of figured the "danger" was a bit exaggerated. But what can I say? I conceal carry at TN State Parks and have talked to rangers who definitely suggest blending in. Surprised at the number of people you saw on the trail and so forth.

 

[Narwhal]

It was a Saturday when we went, there were busloads of people from school kids to tour groups getting dropped off in the area where we were hiking. We only did 15 miles or so roundtrip on the Appalachian trail right along the TN/NC border.

 

[22-rimfire]

Heck of a lot different from Texas, huh? I was so happy to move to KY/TN from Texas as I just love the Appalachian Mountains; all the green, plants, rocks, streams and water falls, fishing... you name it.

 

[Skyshot]

Hope you had a pleasant hike, I figured you would have a lot of hikers on the AT. Bears are around, but when you have the traffic of hikers, they pretty much stay off the trails that are frequented by people. I've lived in bear country for over 20 years and had face to face encounters on numerous occasions, only twice have I thought about defending myself. Both those occasions were during April while turkey hunting and both involved mothers with cubs. I was able to calm both mothers down by backing out of their space. It was still a little unnerving none the less.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Z1D2
Johnny D,
Hey I'm a tad new to all CCW laws. But here in my state you can't carry at the P.O., and I am told its illegal to carry on most state and federal places, including court houses, parks, etc. But like I just mentioned I'm a tad new to all CCW laws in my state. And I would rather be "leary" than sorry.
Some states may be different, but safe is better than sorry.

Not true. You need to read up on the laws. OC is fine in TN as long as you have a CC license. But if you have a CC, then I would suggest CC'ing. You will likely make some folks nervous from other parts of the country just visiting. BTW, even a hot 9mm will be okay against Black Bear in a pinch. I said in a pinch...

 

[Magoo]

I realize the OP's trip has come and gone, but wanted to follow up a bit on my comment. As someone else commented, 4oz of pepper spray isn't bear spray (at least not one that I'd personally carry if I thought I needed bear spray or any that are marketed as such). While I didn't know small containers were allowed, I'll stick by my comment that bear spray isn't allowed on airlines.

I'm glad the OP had a good hike and nothing happened warranting the need for either a firearm or spray.

When I said I don't worry too much about bears around here, I didn't mean to say I don't know they're here, or that they're not a potential threat. I've seen one of the critters in the short time we've been here. I worked two summers in Yellowstone back in college and hiked/fished a ton out there in that time. I saw lots of bears. My biggest wildlife scare was rounding a corner in thick brush and ending up between a cow elk and her newborn at ~15ft range . I would've called in pepper spray air support if I could've at that moment.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Two guys were out hiking. One was open carrying a Ruger MKIII .22 pistol. The other guy says,"What's the gun for?" First guy says, "Bears." Second guy laughs and says, "You really think you are going to stop a bear with that pea shooter?" First guy answers, "I don't have to stop the bear. I just have to ensure that I can run faster than you."

 

[JSH1]

I realize the OP's trip has come and gone, but wanted to follow up a bit on my comment. As someone else commented, 4oz of pepper spray isn't bear spray (at least not one that I'd personally carry if I thought I needed bear spray or any that are marketed as such). While I didn't know small containers were allowed, I'll stick by my comment that bear spray isn't allowed on airlines.

I was the one the mentioned the Kimber Pepper Blaster. I realize it isn't "bear spray" in the classical sense since bear spray is generally just a large canister of pepper spray. The Pepper Blaster really isn't traditional pepper spray either since it isn't an aerosol. Instead you have two shots of 10% OC gel propelled by springs. I like it because the gel isn't effected by wind as much as an aerosol and the gun-like shape makes it really easy to point and shoot. I know several guys that ride bicycles and they say it is very effective on rogue dogs. I purchased mine for a trip to Glacier National Park. We saw lots of bears but we just gave them a wide berth.

 

[bassdogs]

I think the point was that there is a big difference between a rogue dog and a bear. Have never heard about a pepper blaster but 4 oz is little more than a spit in the ocean. Since the probability of being attacked by a bear in the park are very low, you would probably be safe with the blaster, but no more safe than a whistle or just waving your arms. What a cyclist might carry to discourage a dog doesn't rise to the level of bear defense.

 

[lloveless]

I live in middle Tn, and have a "honey bear" as the old timers called them every 3-5 years, tearing up the yellow jacket nests and moving on. They come at night, freak the horses and dogs, and leave without causing harm except to the yellow jackets (good riddance). When I hike I carry a 3inch sp-101 in 357 mag usually open, though concealed if lots of people out and about. More for the human element than anything.
ll

 

[JSH1]

I think the point was that there is a big difference between a rogue dog and a bear. Have never heard about a pepper blaster but 4 oz is little more than a spit in the ocean. Since the probability of being attacked by a bear in the park are very low, you would probably be safe with the blaster, but no more safe than a whistle or just waving your arms. What a cyclist might carry to discourage a dog doesn't rise to the level of bear defense.

I'm pretty sure that even 1 oz of 10% OC in the eyes, nose, and mouth of a bear would be quite effective. Again, this isn't an aerosol that you spray in the general direction of the target. It is a gel that fires at high speed and sticks to the target. I have no doubt it is more effective than a whistle.

It is made by Kimber (the same Kimber that makes high-end pistols) and they have some videos on their website if you are interested.

 

[bassdogs]

Counter Assault Bear spray in the large canister has a range of 30 feet with 10 sec of spray. It is the Bear spray carried by wildlife rangers and wilderness enforcement officers in Alaska. I'm not a fan of bear spray over a firearm, but to each their own. Carry what you want.

A point to remember is that when an aggressive bear comes withing range of the blaster, it is most likely traveling at 30 mph and looking real angry. Just not my choice for such a situation.

PS Kimber doesn't make the blaster, they just import and sell it in their line of products. Probably a good product, given its reviews.

 

[Bill4282]

As a matter of point, TN is not a CCW State. They issue a HCP (handgun carry permit) that allows one to carry a handgun open or concealed. It does not allow carry of any other weapon as defined by state law ie large blade knife, ASP baton (which requires a separate permit and required training).

 

[Byron]

I live in Middle TN.The eastern mountainous counties are beautiful.TN protects all snakes.Carry a good,long walking stick and that should run them off.We have our share of rattlers and copperheads.I would think a 22 concealed would be good.If you do shoot a venomous snake,make sure you can prove it was just cause.Why all snakes are protected,I will never know.

 

[22-rimfire]

There is seldom a real need to kill a poisonous snake (rattlesnakes and copperheads mostly). (I make exceptions with Cotton Mouths.) If one does, they just need to keep that information to themselves for a while.

 

[bassdogs]

Have to disagree on no cause to kill venomous snakes. I have a wife, 2 dogs, and 9 grandchildren wandering around on my farm. I see a venomous snake, it dies. We have black snakes all over the property and they are always welcome.