Trip to Tennessee

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stevek

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We are planning a 3-4 day trip to Pigeon Forge TN and the surrounding area, including Smoky Mountain Knife Works. I looked on the Handgun Law US website, and still have a few questions.
We both have our CCW from here in WV, and I know it is honored in TN. Are many of the attractions posted? If posted, is it just that we must leave if asked, or is it more serious? Here in WV it is only an issue if you refuse to leave.
Is locking the pistols in a locked case in the car a viable/legal alternative?
Any help or insight would be much appreciated.
 
According to Tenn. Code

§ 39-17-1359 it looks like No Gun signs have the force of law.

TN AG Opinion No 07-43.[5] says that the signs don't have to be exact, only substantially similar to what is referenced in the laws.

§ 39-17-1313[1] locking it up in your car is ok as long as the firearm is secured in the handgun carry permit holder’s privately owned vehicle and is not visible to “ordinary observation”. (note: emphasis added by me)

39-17-1351 says you don't have to immediately inform an officer if pulled over but must notify if asked by the officer.


Some links for you to confirm or look for other info

http://www.usacarry.com/tennessee_concealed_carry_permit_information.html
http://www.tn.gov/safety/article/handguntca
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/tennessee.pdf


Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1359 (2015)

39-17-1359. Prohibition at certain meetings -- Posting notice.

(a) (1) Except as provided in § 39-17-1313, an individual, corporation, business entity or local, state or federal government entity or agent thereof is authorized to prohibit the possession of weapons by any person who is at a meeting conducted by, or on property owned, operated, or managed or under the control of the individual, corporation, business entity or government entity.

(2) The prohibition in subdivision (a)(1) shall apply to any person who is authorized to carry a firearm by authority of § 39-17-1351.

(b) (1) Notice of the prohibition permitted by subsection (a) shall be accomplished by displaying one (1) or both of the notices described in subdivision (b)(3) in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property, building, or portion of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited. Either form of notice used shall be of a size that is plainly visible to the average person entering the building, property, or portion of the building or property, posted.

(2) The notice required by this section shall be in English, but a duplicate notice may also be posted in any language used by patrons, customers or persons who frequent the place where weapon possession is prohibited.

(3) (A) If a sign is used as the method of posting, it shall contain language substantially similar to the following:

AS AUTHORIZED BY T.C.A. § 39-17-1359, POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON POSTED PROPERTY OR IN A POSTED BUILDING IS PROHIBITED AND IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

(B) As used in this section, "language substantially similar to" means the sign contains language plainly stating that:

(i) The property is posted under authority of Tennessee law;

(ii) Weapons or firearms are prohibited on the property, in the building, or on the portion of the property or building that is posted; and

(iii) Possessing a weapon in an area that has been posted is a criminal offense.

(C) A building, property or a portion of a building or property, shall be considered properly posted in accordance with this section if one (1) or both of the following is displayed in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property, building, or portion of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited:

(i) The international circle and slash symbolizing the prohibition of the item within the circle; or

(ii) The posting sign described in this subdivision (b)(3).

(c) (1) It is an offense to possess a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted in accordance with this section.

(2) Possession of a weapon on posted property in violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only of five hundred dollars ($500).

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, reduce or eliminate any civil or criminal liability that a property owner or manager may have for injuries arising on their property.

(e) This section shall not apply to title 70 regarding wildlife laws, rules and regulations.

(f) This section shall not apply to the grounds of any public park, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway or other similar public place that is owned or operated by the state, a county, a municipality or instrumentality thereof. The carrying of firearms in those areas shall be governed by § 39-17-1311.
 
We were just down there last year. I didn't notice any posted signs. To be fair though we didn't go to a lot of the more "tourist trap" type places. SMKW is not posted, that I know for sure.
 
When you finish your visit at SMKW, Bud's Guns is across the parking lot. In the same strip as Bud's is the Coleman factory outlet and they carry so much stuff that I didn't even know Coleman made - and they have great prices.
 
We visit there a lot. Never seen a 'No Guns" sign posted anywhere except on Federal buildings inside the park. But I haven't been every where.

You CAN carry in the park as long as TN honors your permit, but only outside. Not inside any building and they are posted. Be aware that about half the park is in NC. Once you cross state lines make sure NC also honors your permit.
 
I live here and would like to see one biggie changed. A no guns sign carries the weight of the law and is more than just a "please leave" request as written above in danez71's post.

" Possession of a weapon on posted property in violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only of five hundred dollars ($500). "

The bad part is that parking may be a good walk away from where you are going and the inconvenience is miserable if you want in to a posted place.

I can't cite many of them because I don't get there a lot but places like Dixie Stamped is just one example.
 
I like visiting that area. I do not recall ever seeing a no-gun sign around the strip or restaurants. The Nat'l park bldgs are another matter, but you can always leave it in the car.
 
Thanks so much for all the replies. Glad to hear about SMKW and the restaurants. Aside from SMKW, and now Bud's Guns :eek:, the rest of the trip will be my wife's choice. I wouldn't mind finding a nice pair of boots though ;)
 
Being a smokes regular, a thought just popped into my mind. I loved the old trolley and rode them all over. Since that's public transit, are the newer, crappier busses legal for carry?
 
they've got a pretty decent little gun store inside the knifeworks building now called smoky mountain gun works, be sure to check that out as well.
 
Last time I was in TN, I saw one "no guns" sign.

The hotel I was staying at had a "no guns" sign posted at the entrance to the hotel's bar.
Hotel manager said it was legal to carry inside the hotel, but not at the bar, which is why they had the "no guns" sign posted at the bar's entrance.
 
My wife and I got here to Pigeon Forge last night and our restaurant had a no guns sign posted inside on the Hostess stand, not on the outside doors. We did an immediate about face and left.

It was Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que.
 
In states where no firearms signs have the force of law as per Tennessee, it's an aggravation that has to be put up with.

Florida is far from gun nirvana, but that is one blessing we do have. No force of law with signs. I have not seen a sign in several years ,other than the usual Fed locations and some hospitals.
 
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Oh well. The first two restaurants we tried for dinner, Big Daddy's Pizza, and Mellow Mushroom Pizza were both posted. Does anybody know if Ripley's Aquarium is posted?
 
I traveled there for business for years and don't ever recall seeing a no guns sign posted.

If you get to Gatlinburg check out the Cherokee Grill, they have a Prosperity Steak for under $20 that betters steaks I've had for $50.
 
While in the area, make a point of driving the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Lots of waterfalls and scenery. Almost as nice as Cades cove, just a lot smaller and basically in downtown gatlinburg.
 
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