Travel to TN, KY

[C Paul Lincoln]

I'm planning a trip to Tennessee and Kentucky late this month, where my Washington CPL is honored. I've done some research, and see that there are a lot of restrictions in TN that I don't have in WA. Mostly I want my gun when driving and in my hotel, or if I decide to take an evening walk. I did a search of the forum, and didn't get any relevant hits, so I'll just ask for your help.

Can any members from those states tell me the potential pitfalls that I should be aware of?

1) I will avoid any establishment that serves alcohol.
2) My PM40 has a capacity of six, so no mag restrictions.
3) Plan to go through the Great Smoky Mountains -- can I travel with my gun loaded as long as I am not walking through the park?
4) What is the general LEO attitude towards CC?
5) Knives, kubotan? Any restrictions I should know of?

Thanks in advance.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[houndawg75]

The hardest thing in TN will probably be avoiding the establishments that serve alcohol, unless you planning on eating fastfood the whole time.
There are no mag restrictions in TN.
The Great Smoky Mountains is a National Park so you may want to check their regs on that. I was in a state park last week that actually had a gun range. You can't carry a loaded gun while in the park except on the range. My suggestion would be to keep your gun unloaded in a locked case.(or not, concealed is concealed right?) It just depends on what you feel your biggest risk is, getting caught or needing your gun.
You are required to inform LEO's in TN that you are carrying. In the few instances that I have been pulled over or involved in accidents, I just showed them my carry permit along with my DL and registration. I never had any problems. I actually got out of a ticket one time for running a stop sign because when the officer asked me for my registration, I advised him that my gun was in the console with the registration. He got a little nervous and told me not to worry about the registration, and to stop at the sign next time and let me go. The other times they didn't seem to care other than asking where it was. I did have an officer ask me what I was carrying and when I told him it was an XD we ended talking for about 15 minutes about it, which kind made the lady that rear ended me mad that we were talking about guns instead of him writing his report.
There are some knife restrictions on size but I believe the blade length is 4"
Hope this helps

[FlyboyLDB]

.........You are required to inform LEO's in TN that you are carrying............

Really? The TN HCP is linked to your driver's license - but there is no law to inform - not unless it recently changed.

[ghawk249]

My understanding is you are not required to inform LEO's but I always do.

[retsupt99]

Most everything has already been covered...except for one...
Don't travel with your sister in TN or KY...you'll end up marrying her...

[Doodles]

Knife length is 4 inches. You can have your weapon loaded in your vehicle in the Smokies, you cannot carry it in the park, however. When they run your DL it will show carry status. It is best, if you are stopped, to keep both hands on the wheel and when the officer gets to the car, tell him/her that you have a permit and that you are armed. Most will not hassle you.

[cheapthrills]

when you get to ky stay out of bars schools and courthouse.National parks too.
Other than that "ROCK OUT WITH YOUR GLOCK OUT"

[kentuckycarry]

Most everything has already been covered...except for one...
Don't travel with your sister in TN or KY...you'll end up marrying her...

Hey, I resemble that remark.

[Agave]

You are required to inform LEO's in TN that you are carrying.

This is not true.

Additionally, they don't even ask to see your permit card (for TN HCP at least) because the number is the same as on the driver license.

[FlyboyLDB]

Most everything has already been covered...except for one...
Don't travel with your sister in TN or KY...you'll end up marrying her...

Sorry, that is Alabama

[Billco]

Tennessee is an open cary state, legal but not always prudent.
Personally, I prefer CC. Any govt property; local,state or fed is a no-no. Same with any campus k thru college. Anywhere alcohol is served
for consumption on premises and where posted by the specific business also off limits. Most LEOs are easy to get along with here.
Have a safe trip and welcome to the Volunteer State.

[Agave]

Any govt property; local,state or fed is a no-no.

While all municipally-run parks and recreation areas such as civic centers are off limits, Tennessee government buildings other than courthouses are subject to the same "Opt Out" (Gun free zone signs) rules as regular businesses.

Same with any campus k thru college. Anywhere alcohol is served
for consumption on premises and where posted by the specific business also off limits. Most LEOs are easy to get along with here.
Have a safe trip and welcome to the Volunteer State.

This is pretty much on the money.

There are Five places designated by Tennessee statute as off-limits: 1. Courtrooms,
2. Public Rec areas/parks,
3. Beer or liquor-by-the-drink ABC establishments,
4. Public or private education establishments/schools,
5. "Opt Out" zones that are properly posted (I, myself, have never seen in Tennessee a properly posted Opt Out zone.)

[Andy W.]

Most everything has already been covered...except for one...
Don't travel with your sister in TN or KY...you'll end up marrying her...

I can't speak for TN, but in KY just avoid the eastern part of the state and you will be OK.