Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc.

I was at Herb Parson lake in Fayette county last friday for a school field trip. I was not carrying, but i asked a ranger if carry is allowed. He said his manager did not allow carrying on the lake property. Herb Parson is a TWRA fishing lake.

What are the carry laws for TN public land?

TWRA fishing lake land?
WMA?
What about National WMA?


from TWRA

Handguns:
Recent legislative changes provide that individuals who possess a carry permit may possess their handgun while on TWRA wildlife management areas, public hunting areas or refuges open to hunter access. The handgun may not be used for taking game unless specifically permitted by TWRA regulation. This change will now allow those with carry permits to possess their handgun at times when previously it would not have been permissible such as during archery hunting. TWRA will apply this same interpretation to those possessing carry permits while hunting on private lands.


From the above link, it looks legal, but once again local officials don't know the law.

So is it or is it not legal to carry at TWRA lakes and land?


Thanks

I would send an email to TWRA HQ, explain your facts, ask them for a response in writing and copy both your senator and your representative on the email. Post up all TWRA or government responses.

I sent TWRA an email this morning. I will update this thread if i get a response.

I'd suggest updating it periodically, even if it's "no response yet"...akin to the permit renewal posts one sees from time to time.

David

Not bad response time on the email reply.

"Mr. *****,

According to TWRA statewide policy, persons with a handgun carry permit may carry on TWRA wildilfe management areas and lands. Please contact the Region 1 office at 731-423-5725 to see why you were given information to the contrary at Herb Parson Lake.

Steve Nifong, Asst. Chief
Law Enforcement Division
TWRA"

I will call the number above and post comments afterwards.

Regards

This is the sad part of things. TWRA HQ knows the law & state that we can carry,yet it seems that 90% of the rangers do not have a clue. One day someone is going to innocently carry someplace and a ranger will see it & get a case of the red arse over it. Then they will either draw on someone or cite them needlessly & it cost the tax payers for the fiasco.