Carrying Firearms in Tennessee Parks May Soon Be Legal
A bill has made its way through the Legislature and now sits on the desk of Governor Phil Bredesen. This bill would allow for guns to be carried in parks across the state unless otherwise banned by cities or municipalities.
Gun laws are a hot topic in our state and it seems as if every month there’s a new story putting Second Amendment rights in the forefront. In addition to this parks bill, the Governor is also reviewing a bill that would allow people transport rifles and shotguns in their private vehicles while bullets are chambered in the magazine but not loaded in the weapon.
There is a chance that towns may enact their own rules regarding city parks. But unless those laws exist, guns will be allowed on city, state, and National parks in the state of Tennessee. The law applies to parks, campgrounds, forests, greenways, waterways, historic parks, nature trails and similar sites.
The Governor has three options with each of these bills. He can do nothing and the bills will become laws on Friday June 5th. He can sign them into law, or he can veto them. Even if the Governor vetoes the bills, it would only take a majority vote to override such a veto.
Currently Tennessee has some complicated laws on the books for firearms and the people who own and use them. There are so many regulations that it can be difficult to understand them all even when you are a legally registered firearm owner.
There are laws controlling what kind of firearm you can possess, how you can carry it, how and when you can use it, and how you can transport it. There are laws about what you must do when you own a registered weapon and laws preventing certain people from owning firearms.
All of these laws lead to some violations. Firearm offenses are treated pretty seriously in the Tennessee courts. If you are facing weapons charges and want some assistance in understanding what your options are, call us today to discuss your case.
