Fear & Loading: Parks And Carry Confusion

by
posted on March 27, 2015
tennesee.jpg

Next week a pair of bills in both houses of the Tennessee Legislature will come to a vote and, if passed and signed into law by the governor, it will alleviate the state’s confusing patchwork of laws governing carry in parks and recreation areas. I wish other states would consider the same measure.

The NRA/ILA has full details here, and if you live in Tennessee, tell your representatives to support the measure. It doesn’t matter where you live—there are always local regulations seemingly designed to confuse, frustrate and hamper your ability to protect yourself until authorities arrive. That’s one of the main reasons any reputable concealed-carry course has a lengthy legal section (and usually a test) that explains where and when you cannot carry.

Thankfully, things are improving. I lived in a state at a time when carrying concealed on national forests or game lands was illegal, unless you were hunting. Apparently, the state’s bears and muggers are allergic to profanity the other nine months of the year. Then there’s the odd financial institution rule, state parks and even major events on government-managed property.

It’s confusing, but it also means there are times you may not be able to carry for the entire day. An easy example is the thousands of parents who will be stopping on their way home from work to watch Junior’s Little League team in the next few months. If they can’t carry at the park, but usually carry at work, should they lock it in the car at the ball diamond—if that’s even legal—or just hope “today isn’t THAT day?”

Parks and recreation areas are not exactly safe places, either. This month an unarmed 51-year-old Philadelphia man was shot and killed by a pair of punks while walking his dog. As fate would have it, he told his young daughter she couldn’t accompany him on the walk as usual because it was getting too late. I’ve been sending thoughts and prayers for his family and friends since I read the news—and it’s the kind of tragic happenstance that will stay with that little girl for the rest of her life.
 
It would have been nice if a permit holder was in that park that night, though, and overheard the multiple times the victim asked that they spare his life. But, then again, it was a park.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.