Traveling to AR, TN and KY

[mloamiller]

My family is traveling to KY for Thanksgiving, driving through AR with overnight stops in TN. I did some research on the carry laws in all three states and they appear to be more or less the same as TX. All three states have reciprocity agreements with Texas, and/or allow constitutional carry. What I haven't found is if these states have specific signage requirements to prohibit carry, similar to the 30.06/30.07 signs that we love so much in Texas. We won't be open carrying, so I'm primarily concerned about concealed carry.

Anyone have details on the carry laws in these three states?

[Pawpaw]

The fastest source for other states info is http://www.handgunlaw.us/

[carlson1]

I just finished a long trip through eight States including LA, MS, AL, TN, SC, KT, OH, AR, It was as small vacation with 10 dayys of that preaching. The only place I disarmed was The Ark Encounter in KY because they had OC era everywhere with K-9‘a. They were not using a metal detector, but not know the law completely and locked it in my safe inside my suburban. I use an app on my phone called “Legal Heat”.

I also use an app called “Crime & Place”. It gives you the crime in the area so you don’t stop in the dangerous places.

[srothstein]

What I haven't found is if these states have specific signage requirements to prohibit carry, similar to the 30.06/30.07 signs that we love so much in Texas.

I hve not kept up with this as much as I should (no travel plans recently or in near future) but, to the best of my knowledge, Texas is the only state with specific language required on signs. I am hoping that someone who has kept up with this will correct me if I am wrong.

[bfm1851]

I have an app on my phone called Concealed Carry. It's free and seems to be up to date with changes, though no app should be trusted to be completely correct. Calling the local state police can add information.

[SIGFan43]

I'm originally from Arkansas, and the signs can be a simple sign that says to the effect "No Firearms," or more commonly, the handgun in a circle with the diagonal slash mark through it. One unique requirement in Arkansas: If you enter a private residence, you must inform the resident you're carrying a concealed handgun. No handguns in church unless with permission of the person in charge (pastor or minister) I last visited friends and family there in 2017.

[mloamiller]

I just finished a long trip through eight States including LA, MS, AL, TN, SC, KT, OH, AR, It was as small vacation with 10 dayys of that preaching. The only place I disarmed was The Ark Encounter in KY because they had OC era everywhere with K-9‘a. They were not using a metal detector, but not know the law completely and locked it in my safe inside my suburban. I use an app on my phone called “Legal Heat”.

I also use an app called “Crime & Place”. It gives you the crime in the area so you don’t stop in the dangerous places.

The purpose of our trip is to go to the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. What exactly do you mean by "they had OC era everywhere with K-9‘a"?

[Soccerdad1995]

In addition to the relevant laws, you might also want to spend some time on the respective states CCW forums, especially if you are in the "don't want to take a ride" camp.

That's how I found out that Mississippi's AG has stated an intent to enforce all signs, no matter how they are written, despite the state law requiring specific wording and placement. It's also how I found out that Disney flat out ignores Florida law in their efforts to keep firearms out of their parks.

[carlson1]

The Arc Encounter had armed security and Peace officers. They had K-9 just about anywhere you went. I went back to my truck and put my gun in the safe. I didn’t want any trouble with any of them. I don’t know if it is true, but if a K-9 can be trained to alert on bombs I figure the same could be true with ammo.

The security and Police have the same uniform. The only difference in above the shoulder patches it has a top rocker that said, Peace Officer.”

I don’t know Kentucky laws that well. There are no metal detectors or anyone with a wand when we were there.

At the motels and stores we went in had zero signage of any kind. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Suits. Don’t bother with the Beat Western. We checked out as fast as checked in. We stayed in Florence and they have a Bob Evans that was a great place to eat.

If you go to Florence you are only eight miles from Cincinnati, OH and we enjoyed driving around that City.

[KC5AV]

Be aware that Arkansas has some sort of enhanced concealed carry. Access to certain locations is prohibited without additional training.

Reciprocity with the State of Texas does not qualify for the enhanced licensing purposes.

[Texas_Blaze]

Some states require immediate notification of an officer that you are armed, even before they ask. I took a trip up to MI and traveled through all the states you mentioned plus IN.

[carlson1]

I found KY and TN pretty easy. No law that you have to show your LTC, but I always do. I made the 3,000 plus trips and never talked to an officer other than the State Troopers in Tennessee that were staying in our hotel. I seen no gunbuster signs at all. Arkansas is a different animal. It has some wired laws.

Prohibited Areas (state)

A license to carry a concealed handgun issued under this subchapter does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into:

Any police station, sheriff's station, or Department of Arkansas State Police station;
An Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation facility;
A building of the Arkansas Department of Transportation or onto grounds adjacent to a building of the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
However this section does not apply to:
A rest area or weigh station of the Arkansas Department of Transportation; or
A publicly owned and maintained parking lot that is a publicly accessible parking lot if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun in his or her motor vehicle or has left the concealed handgun in his or her locked and unattended motor vehicle in the publicly owned and maintained parking lot;
Any part of a detention facility, prison, or jail, including without limitation a parking lot owned, maintained, or otherwise controlled by the Department of Correction or Department of Community Correction;
Any courthouse, courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by a county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office unless:
The licensee is either:
Employed by the county;
A countywide elected official;
A justice of the peace; or
Employed by a governmental entity other than the county with an office or place of employment inside the courthouse, the courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by the county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office.
Any courtroom.
However, nothing in this subchapter precludes a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon into his or her courtroom;
Any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity;
Any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly;
Any state office;
Any athletic event not related to firearms;
A portion of an establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
A person with a concealed carry endorsement under § 5-73-322(g) and who is carrying a concealed handgun may not enter an establishment under this section if the establishment either places a written notice as permitted under subdivision (18) of this section or provides notice under subdivision (19) of this section prohibiting a person with a license to possess a concealed handgun at the physical location;
A portion of an establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises.
A person with a concealed carry endorsement under § 5-73-322(g) and who is carrying a concealed handgun may not enter an establishment under this section if the establishment either places a written notice as permitted under subdivision (18) of this section or provides notice under subdivision (19) of this section prohibiting a person with a license to possess a concealed handgun at the physical location;
A school, college, community college, or university campus building or event.
However, this section does not apply to:
A kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school operated by a church or other place of worship that:
Is located on the developed property of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school;
Allows the licensee to carry a concealed handgun into the church or other place of worship under this section; and
Allows the licensee to possess a concealed handgun on the developed property of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school under § 5-73-119(e);
A kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school or a prekindergarten private school that through its governing board or director has set forth the rules and circumstances under which the licensee may carry a concealed handgun into a building or event of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school or the prekindergarten private school;
Participation in an authorized firearms-related activity;
Carrying a concealed handgun as authorized under § 5-73-322; or
A publicly owned and maintained parking lot of a college, community college, or university if the licensee is carrying aconcealed handgun in his or her motor vehicle or has left the concealed handgun in his or her locked and unattended motor vehicle;
Inside the passenger terminal of any airport, except that no person is prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the passenger terminal if the firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking the firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft;
Any church or other place of worship.
However, this subchapter does not preclude a church or other place of worship from determining who may carry a concealed handgun into the church or other place of worship.
A person with a concealed carry endorsement under § 5-73-322(g) and who is carrying a concealed handgun may not enter a church or other place of worship under this section if the church or other place of worship either places a written notice as permitted under subdivision (18) of this section or provides notice under subdivision (19) of this section prohibiting a person with a license to possess a concealed handgun at the physical location;
Any place where the carrying of a firearm is prohibited by federal law;
Any place where a parade or demonstration requiring a permit is being held, and the licensee is a participant in the parade or demonstration;
Any place at the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of the place by placing at each entrance to the place a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not less than ten feet (10′) that “carrying a handgun is prohibited”.
Any licensee entering a private home shall notify the occupant that the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun.
Prohibited Area #18 (above) does not apply if the place is:
A public university, public college, or community college, as defined in § 5-73-322, and the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun as provided under § 5-73-322;
A publicly owned and maintained parking lot if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun in his or her motor vehicle or has left the concealed handgun in his or her locked and unattended motor vehicle; or
A parking lot of a private employer and the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun as provided under § 5-73-324.
The person or entity exercising control over the physical location of a place that does not use his, her, or its authority under this subdivision (18) to prohibit a person from possessing a concealed handgun is immune from a claim for monetary damages arising from or related to the decision not to place at each entrance to the place a written notice under this subdivision (18);
A place owned or operated by a private entity that prohibits the carrying of a concealed handgun that posts a written notice.
A place owned or operated by a private entity that chooses not to post a written notice as described under subdivision (18)(A) of this section may provide written or verbal notification to a licensee who is carrying a concealed handgun at the place owned or operated by a private entity that carrying of a concealed handgun is prohibited.
A licensee who receives written or verbal notification is deemed to have violated this law if the licensee while carrying a concealed handgun either remains at or returns to the place owned or operated by the private entity.
A place owned or operated by a private entity under this subdivision includes without limitation:
A private university or private college;
A church or other place of worship;
An establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises; and
An establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises; or
A posted firearm-sensitive area, as approved by the Department of Arkansas State Police under § 5-73-325, located at:
The Arkansas State Hospital;
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; or
A collegiate athletic event.
Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-306


Prohibited Areas (federal)

Airport Secure Areas (49 CFR § 1540.111(a))
Post Office Property (18 USC § 930; 39 CFR § 232.1)
Federal Facilities (18 USC § 930; 36 CFR § 327.13)
Military Bases (Army Reg. 190-14(2-6);18 USC § 930)
Veteran Affairs Property (38 C.F.R. § 1.218(a)(13))
Within 1,000 feet of a Public, Parochial or Private K-12 School (18 U.S.C.A. § 922(q)(2)(A))
Exceptions apply, see School Zone section of Transport Laws
Certain Other Federal Property:
US Army Corp of Engineers Property (36 C.F.R. § 327.13)
The Pentagon Reservation (32 C.F.R. § 234.10)
Government Accountability Office Grounds (4 C.F.R. § 25.14)
CIA Agency Installation Property (32 C.F.R. § 1903.10)
Certain FEMA Property (44 C.F.R. § 15.15)
National Military Cemeteries (32 C.F.R. § 553.33)
Duty To Retreat

Yes. A person may not use deadly force in self-defense if he or she knows that he or she can avoid the necessity of using deadly force with complete safety by retreating (§5-2-607(b)). However, NO duty to retreat exists inside a home or curtilage (§5-2-607(b)(1)(A)(b)).

Special Notes

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CONCEALED CARRY CLICK HERE.

Private Homes:Arkansas law states that any licensee entering a private home shall notify the occupant that the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun. (5-73-306)
Public Parks: Arkansas Attorney General has stated that in his opinion cities and counties may post signs prohibiting firearms in parks. It is recommended one not carry into such posted parks.
DUTY TO INFORM: In any official contact with law enforcement, if the licensee IS in possession of a handgun, when the officer asks the licensee for identification (driver's license, or personal information, such as name and date of birth), the licensee shall notify the officer that he or she holds a concealed handgun carry license and that he or she has a handgun in his or her possession...Ark. Admin. Code 130.00.8-3.2(b).
Constitutional Carry: On October 17, 2018 the Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled that merely possessing a weapon, with or without a permit, is not a crime in the State of Arkansas. “n general merely possessing a handgun on your person ... does not violate § 5-73-120(a) and may be done if it does not violate other laws or regulations.”. Under the clear language of section 5-73-120(a), the possessor of a handgun must have an unlawful intent to employ it as a weapon against a person in order to make that possession a criminal act. Taff v. State, 2018 Ark. App. 488, 9 (2018)
States That Recognize This State's Permit


Permits Recognized by This State


Updates to the App

02-19-13: Updated to reflect the passage of SB71 and the change to carry into houses of worship.
02-19-13: Updated with AG opinion regarding carry into public parks.
06-11-13: Updated duty to inform special note to have more precise wording and citation.
02-09-15: Updated to reflect that AR now honors all state permits.
07-20-15: WA no longer honors Arkansas
01-30-16: Updated links
09-11-17: Updated prohibited areas to include recent changes
11-14-17: Updated with new maps
12-12-17: Content verified. Prohibited areas updated with new wording. New maps updated. Federal prohibited areas updated with more detailed citations.
11-06-18: Updated to reflect recent court ruling on constitutional carry

[oohrah]

What I haven't found is if these states have specific signage requirements to prohibit carry, similar to the 30.06/30.07 signs that we love so much in Texas.

I hve not kept up with this as much as I should (no travel plans recently or in near future) but, to the best of my knowledge, Texas is the only state with specific language required on signs. I am hoping that someone who has kept up with this will correct me if I am wrong.

Just to add to the travel data - Illinois also requires a specific state mandated sign to prohibit CC. Even places that are statutorily off limits must post this sign, or you have a defense to prosecution. Texans are allowed to get a non-resident IL CCL. And, if you have a CC license from any state, you can carry concealed in your vehicle.

[tommyg]

Watch it on native American Reservations they make their own Gun Laws