Carrying in Kentucky and Tennessee

[jason867]

Here in a couple weeks I will be traveling through Kentucky and staying a few nights in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and then coming back home. I was looking at handgunlaw.us and saw that both states honor Indianas LTCH. What wasn't clarified very well was the particular differences between each state compared to Indiana.

Here's what I'm looking for:
Does KY or TN require CC or OC, or can I choose?
How does KY & TN self-defense law compare to ours (do I have to retreat first? Etc...)
Anything else I should be made aware of?

If anyone can help answer these questions I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[racr28]

Try here for Tennessee info.

Firearms Law FAQ

 

[shibumiseeker]

I was just down at the Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park City Kentucky this weekend and asked a friend who teaches the Kentucky carry license class about OC vs CC and he stated that OC in Kentucky is allowed.

 

[smitty12b]

I would try arfcom in the hometown section. Each state has a listing of their gun laws.

 

[mrjarrell]

Handgunlaw.us

 

[buckstopshere]

My family and I made a similar journey late last year and from what I remember reading the gun laws in both ky and tn were very similar to indy. I know OC is ok in both states as well as CC and I'm confident that there isn't a retreat rule.

BUT...with anything, I wouldn't take someone elses word for it. I'd go out to this link and check it out for yourself....gunlaws.com - State by State Firearms Laws

Have a fun and safe trip!

 

[eldirector]

I'm doing basically the same trip next month. A few items I noted:
- No carry in bars (or the bar portion of a restaurant I believe)
- No Weapons signs are enforceable.
- OC or CC (though I plan on CC while on vacation)
- No need to inform LEO at a traffic stop

They seem pretty similar to Indiana, other than the bars and signs.

I'm just bummed I have to drive through Louisville! My Florida permit won't make it here in time for carrying in Ohio.....

 

[CombatVet]

Kentucky and Tennessee both allow for OC and CC. However, no weapon signs carry weight in TN. When we where in Gatlinburg last month there weren't many No Weapons signs. I think I saw two in a week.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I'm just bummed I have to drive through Louisville! My Florida permit won't make it here in time for carrying in Ohio.....

Louisville is in Kentucky.

 

[sj kahr k40]

I was just in Nashville TN a few weeks ago and I noticed that some places post their no weapons signs in very bad places, one restaurant had a tiny sign by the carry out door that was maybe 4x6 inches, so be careful if you carry in restaurants.

 

[eldirector]

Louisville is in Kentucky.

Yep. And I hate driving through there. Actually, I don't like I-65 at all.

My other route is around Cincinnati, which is in Ohio.

IN license isn't good in OH. Knowing my luck, I'd find me a LEO in that few miles. I suppose I could take IN-1 and avoid both I-65 and Ohio.

Yes, yes... I am one of those people that will go out of the way to avoid even the THOUGHT of trouble when I'm on vacation!

 

[shibumiseeker]

Yep. And I hate driving through there. Actually, I don't like I-65 at all.

My other route is around Cincinnati, which is in Ohio.

IN license isn't good in OH. Knowing my luck, I'd find me a LEO in that few miles. I suppose I could take IN-1 and avoid both I-65 and Ohio.

Yes, yes... I am one of those people that will go out of the way to avoid even the THOUGHT of trouble when I'm on vacation!

Gotcha.

I avoid I65 through the city mostly, taking the Watterson around when I am heading south, which is a couple times a month usually. My older route used to dump me out on I65 at exit 7 in Indiana then I'd fight my way south. Now I take 150 across and pick up I64 to 264 and it's much less stressful a drive.

 

[jason867]

Can I get a confirmation on the whether or not I have a duty to retreat in either state? I can't seem to find anything in the legalese.

 

[KyColonel]

Can I get a confirmation on the whether or not I have a duty to retreat in either state?

I can't speak for Tennessee, but our statute here in Kentucky is pretty explicit:

KRS 503.055

3) A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a felony involving the use of force.

Source: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/503-00/055.pdf

 

[jason867]

That pretty well sums it up!

Thanks guys, I think I'm set!

 

[csaws]

Tennessee no longer has reciprocity with Indiana guys...

Handgun Carry Permit Reciprocity Information

I found this the yesterday when I was told that they did not recognize us any longer.

The big issue now is to get Indiana off its hind end and gets them to issue us a drivers license style gun permit with a pic or have it as an endorsement on our Drivers license.

 

[RichardR]

Tennessee no longer has reciprocity with Indiana guys...

Handgun Carry Permit Reciprocity Information

I found this the yesterday when I was told that they did not recognize us any longer.

The big issue now is to get Indiana off its hind end and gets them to issue us a drivers license style gun permit with a pic or have it as an endorsement on our Drivers license.

I believe that Tennessee still "recognizes" Indiana LTCH, it just doesn't have an official "reciprocity" agreement with Indiana.

 

[ryknoll3]

Tennessee no longer has reciprocity with Indiana guys...

Handgun Carry Permit Reciprocity Information

I found this the yesterday when I was told that they did not recognize us any longer.

The big issue now is to get Indiana off its hind end and gets them to issue us a drivers license style gun permit with a pic or have it as an endorsement on our Drivers license.

You are a little confused about "facially valid." This does NOT mean that your permit or license has to have a photo on it. It means you have to have a valid (current, non-expired, non-revoked, non-suspended) license or permit. Have you ever heard the phrase "valid on it's face?" It is a legal term that basically means something is legitimate and valid. This is what they are referring too. They honor EVERYONE'S permits/licenses. The reciprocity list are only the states with FORMAL agreements. Some states require formal agreements to honor other state's permits. TN is NOT one of them. Travel to armed to TN at will.

 

[csaws]

I stand corrected, Happily I might add as I too am headed there in about two weeks.

I still stand by my comments on needing a plastic LTCH with a pic and or an endorsement on your license.

 

[PatriotPride]

Why do you want even MORE regulation when it comes to the right to carry? The LTCH is more than enough as it is IMO. It does not need a picture of my face, and if I had my way, it would not have an address that I have lived at inscribed on it.