Acoording to the HCP class at Coal Creek Armory I took two weeks ago, a business can post in any way they see fit, even if it's construction paper with "no guns" written in pencil. Is this the case or was I misled? ...
To be statutorily compliant (39-17-1359, which I will paste in below), must be either gunbuster sign (any size or type, not specified) or verbiage that is substantially similar to what is set in the statute.
"no guns" doesn't cut it for example.
However, we can find no cases of anyone charged under this statute yet, nor any case to test the letter of the law regarding signage.
Our illustrious DA has, for example, has opined that one may be charged with carry in a prohibited park, even if there is no signage at all, which of course is mandated in another statute.
Though the penalty for "carrying past a sign" is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by a "$500 fine only", there is another statute that says one's HCP will be suspended or revoked for a 1359 violation: again, this seems to have not been tested either.
Also, carry in city/county parks is another statute, and signage is exactly mandated as to wording and size, unlike the general prohibition of carry set forth below.
- OS
---------------------------------------------------
39-17-1359. Prohibition at certain meetings -- Posting notice.
(a) (1) An individual, corporation, business entity or local, state or federal government entity or agent thereof is authorized to prohibit the possession of weapons by any person who is at a meeting conducted by, or on property owned, operated, or managed or under the control of the individual, corporation, business entity or government entity.
(2) The prohibition in subdivision (a)(1) shall apply to any person who is authorized to carry a firearm by authority of § 39-17-1351.
(b) (1) Notice of the prohibition permitted by subsection (a) shall be accomplished by displaying one (1) or both of the notices described in subdivision (b)(3) in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property, building, or portion of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited. Either form of notice used shall be of a size that is plainly visible to the average person entering the building, property, or portion of the building or property, posted.
(2) The notice required by this section shall be in English, but a duplicate notice may also be posted in any language used by patrons, customers or persons who frequent the place where weapon possession is prohibited.
(3) (A) If a sign is used as the method of posting, it shall contain language substantially similar to the following:
AS AUTHORIZED BY T.C.A. § 39-17-1359, POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON POSTED PROPERTY OR IN A POSTED BUILDING IS PROHIBITED AND IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
(B) As used in this section, "language substantially similar to" means the sign contains language plainly stating that:
(i) The property is posted under authority of Tennessee law;
(ii) Weapons or firearms are prohibited on the property, in the building, or on the portion of the property or building that is posted; and
(iii) Possessing a weapon in an area that has been posted is a criminal offense.
(C) A building, property or a portion of a building or property, shall be considered properly posted in accordance with this section if one (1) or both of the following is displayed in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property, building, or portion of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited:
(i) The international circle and slash symbolizing the prohibition of the item within the circle; or
(ii) The posting sign described in this subdivision (b)(3).
(c) (1) It is an offense to possess a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted in accordance with this section.
(2) Possession of a weapon on posted property in violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only of five hundred dollars ($500).
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, reduce or eliminate any civil or criminal liability that a property owner or manager may have for injuries arising on their property.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to title 70 regarding wildlife laws, rules and regulations.
(f) This section shall not apply to the grounds of any public park, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway or other similar public place that is owned or operated by the state, a county, a municipality or instrumentality thereof. The carrying of firearms in those areas shall be governed by § 39-17-1311.
![images[1].jpg](https://forum.opencarry.org/data/attachments/4/4454-20f95753a3a69738db692f66e7d142e8.jpg "images[1].jpg")
