Vacation Travel - Ohio to Florida - Conceal Carry

[ohioxd9]

I've been doing some homework and have read a few topics about this online but just want to make sure I'm not misinterpreting something or missing something entirely.

I'll be traveling from Ohio to Florida. Travel plan is through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. On the trip down, I'm hoping to only make necessary stops (gas, food, bathroom/stretch) until I reach my hotel stay in North Georgia. Next day travels will be from North Georgia to my destination in Florida with the necessary stops as well. The trip back will follow the same route with same necessary stops, but plan to do an overnight stay in Nashville.

There is no plan to visit schools, government buildings, etc. I understand Ohio and TN are inform officer states. The others are not. Can carry at restaurants and rest stops in all states. Only Ohio and TN are "No Gun Signs" Force of Law. The others are not.

Anyone have any specifics to look out for in Florida (majority of stay) or in TN/Nashville?

Any "gotchas" that I might have not read/understood?

Thanks!

EDIT: Any specific state regulations with having a concealed AR15 pistol for traveling purposes as well?

 

[IJ1981]

Tennessee is not a duty to inform state unless asked by the LEO.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us)

 

[IJ1981]

Have a great RT, ohioxd9!

 

[George P]

If coming via Interstate, watch out for the southbound NYers moving here!

 

[Armored farmer]

I just returned from a trip to Florida. Ten days in Bradenton. I carried all the way to the Florida line, then console the rest of the way.
No problems, great trip.
I applied for my Florida non-resident ccp. I should be gtg by next summer.
Mrs has family down there, so we go to the beach about every year.
I used to shoot clay pigeons down there pretty regularly.

 

[George P]

I just returned from a trip to Florida. Ten days in Bradenton. I carried all the way to the Florida line, then console the rest of the way.
No problems, great trip.
I applied for my Florida non-resident ccp. I should be gtg by next summer.
Mrs has family down there, so we go to the beach about every year.View attachment 981592
I used to shoot clay pigeons down there pretty regularly.

End of January through February is THE month for big blast sporting clays events in Florida - starting at S. FL in Palm City, as well as the Gator Cup and former Indian River in Okeechobee and Vero Beach and then the FL Challenge in central/northern FL at Bradford Sportsman's Farm

 

[MedWheeler]

The "Florida" tab at handgunlaw.us should help. I assume you're licensed/permitted to carry in Ohio? Florida honors the Ohio license/permit.

The following applies to Florida:

Carry in restaurants is permitted, even while consuming ETOH. Carry in bars, or in the "bar portion" of a restaurant, is not. Use of a firearm while intoxicated is not, though lawfully-justifiable self-defense constitutes a necessity exception.

Open carry is only permitted (and is without any license) while engaged in an active camping, fishing, hunting, or shooting activity, or while in direct transit to or from such an activity (if you stop for ammo or lures, you've broken "direct transit.")

Consoles, gloveboxes, or any other closed compartment, container, or even a snapped holster, are perfectly-lawful places to transport a handgun in a vehicle, even without a carry license (unlicensed: container cannot be on one's person.)

Florida does not (yet) restrict AR-type pistols or rifles. If it's a "handgun", it can be carried concealed if the holder is licensed to do so.

There is no prohibition on "printing", nor on the "brief" open display of a normally-concealed handgun in a manner that is not threatening in nature (unless in necessary defense.)

Now, I'll point out that Federal law prohibits being in possession of a firearm while within a school zone unless also holding a license to carry that was issued by the state in which the school zone is located. That's a virtually-impossible law to stay within the requirements of while traveling armed. I know of no prosecutions to date of violations of this law that were not triggered by an arrest for some other criminal activity. Just figured I'd throw that out there.

 

[ohioxd9]

Thanks all. Yes, legally licensed in Ohio, so all states I'm traveling through honor the Ohio license per my research.

@IJ1981, I was wrong, you are correct about TN. I went back and checked again for my sanity and TN is not a duty to inform unless asked so I have no idea where I thought I read it was a duty to inform.

@MedWheeler Thanks! I did use handgunlaws.us sight for my research, but you know...a lot of reading and sometimes the "legal jargon" gets confusing after reading several states worth. I appreciate your feedback.

@gonoles_1980 thanks for that link!

My intention is to have my EDC on me at all times (where legal), and the AR Pistol as my truck gun.

Specific to Nashville, anyone more familiar with that area chime in @IJ1981 Are most the bars/restaurants along Broadway posted "no guns"? I've been there several times, however those trips were for evening fun, so drinking was involved (no EDC with me). This go around will be a daytime stop with 2 kids and the wife. We would like to stop in the bars/restaurants for lunch/dinner (like Rippys) and let the kids enjoy the live music while we eat, however I don't want to be carrying at the time we get down there and not be able to go in. So I'll have to make a decision beforehand but don't know if the bars/restaurants are posted as off-limits for CC or not. Same question applies to attractions around there like the CMHOF or Johnny Cash Museum

Thanks!

 

[gonoles_1980]

@ohioxd9 No problem, I figured it was easier to post the link than try to explain. And the handgunlaws.us is great for reciprocity knowing which states to avoid. I used it going from Florida to West Virginia.