No interest in living outside of the US. Not yet anyways.
Retiring elsewhere
- Thread starter Antler Daddy
- Start date
@Antler Daddy ....If you do move out be sure to send me the GPS coordinates of all of you best public land hunting spots and fishing holes. 
I'm sure TN has their ins and outs of firearm ownership like every other state. I know TN is a Constitutional carry state, but I still plan on getting my CCW/LTC/whatever y'all call it, the moment I arrive there. I do NOT think TN is "paradise". I'm well aware that there is crime, the cities are blue-leaning, and the laws aren't perfect.
But I'd like [all of] you to understand where I'm coming from. In Mass, you can't even OWN a firearm without an LTC (license to carry). LTCs are issued "at the discretion" of the local police department, and are validated by the state police and firearm's record bureau. It takes about a month or so once you apply. You need letters of recommendation, proof of training, qualification, fingerprints, photos, and a reason.
It comes down to the local PD, but we have plenty of towns in Mass where the police chief is known for denials. I am fortunate enough to live in what many consider to be a "shall issue" town (meaning if you meet the requirements you won't be denied). Many towns are "may issue" (meaning if the local PD doesn't like you, they'll deny you). Northeast Shooters (another forum) publishes a list of towns and their standing that will give you an idea.
If you let your LTC expire, or your lose it, you need to immediately sell your guns or give them to a friend who has an LTC, or give them to a local FFL or something. If you don't, the local police will seize them. In fact, the laws are worded so treacherously, that if you did lose your license, merely trying to transport your firearms from your home to the local PD, unloaded, locked in boxes, etc., you could end up in prison for 10 years becuase you don't have a license.
Quick story: A friend of mine had a vengeful ex-girlfriend who decided one day it would be fun to get a restraining order on him. It was all BS, and he would later prove it in court and get the order not only dismissed but destroyed (no record), but in the meantime with no due process, all she had to do was walk into district court, write an affidavit accusing him of things, and the judge issues an emergency 209A protective order. No proof, no ability to defend yourself, just an instant assumption of guilt.
The very second you're served, the order is complete and your LTC is suspended, pending the outcome of the full hearing. You are ordered to bring all of your firearms and ammo to the specified police station and surrender your physical LTC. You're not allowed to touch firearms through the process. You instantly lose your all of your 2nd amendment rights, even if you need a firearm for your job (which my friend did, he worked for Brinks, and that's exactly what she was going for. By the way, even if you PROVE the allegations were false, again which my friend did... he switched his shift at work and was on camera at the time she said he assaulted her, you can't press charges for filing a false report in Mass. They say it "discourages women from reporting abuse" so she got away scot free). My buddy's boss was reasonable, and he did NOT lose his job, but he did burn through all his sick & personal time.
But I digress; Once it comes time to renew your LTC, it can take up to 6 months (it hardly ever does) but they only let you renew 30 days before expiration. Once you renew, they give you a "receipt". You have to carry that with you. It kicks in once your LTC expires, and is valid to use as a temp LTC until "a decision is made one way or the other" on your new LTC. Meaning, if the state takes the full 6 months, you can use the receipt in lieu of a normal LTC to carry, but there's a catch: You can't purchase a firearm with it. You need an actual valid LTC to buy a firearm in Mass. So, if the state decides to drag it's feet, even though you did nothing wrong, they can make it so you can't even BUY a firearm, and there's nothing you can do but wait.
Ammo is scarce up here, and sales are required to be logged by state law. You want a box of 22s from Walmart? They take your driver's license and LTC and log it, along with what ammo you bought and how much. Ammo (and firearms) are a lot more expensive up here, too.
Pistols that you want to buy must be on the state's approved firearm roster. You cannot buy a gun that isn't on the list, even if it's used. Furthermore, the AG has started keeping their own list, which is different. Most FFLs in Mass won't sell you a Glock (but they will sell you a frame) because it's not on the AG's list. While technically legal to buy and own, it's a huge liability and hassle for them to sell you a Glock, so many simply don't. They don't want to piss off the AG. Some FFLs (like mine) don't care and will sell Glocks to their favorite customers (which is how I got my 43X and 19) but we have to be careful about it.
AR's are completely banned, so are AK's and other "assault" weapons, and NO magazine over 10 rounds unless you're LE for any firearm, unless they're "pre-ban" and you owned them before the law took effect years ago. No folding or expanding stocks are allowed. If you do have an AR with a collapsible stock that you bought before the ban, the stock has to be pinned in the open position.
You can't carry within a thousand feet of a school, any government building, court, state park, etc. even if you have an LTC. Property owners can post "No firearms" signs, and they are recognized as trespassing by local LE. Red flags laws are fully active here. If you get pulled over, you do NOT have a "duty to inform" the cop that you're carrying, which sounds nice, but it's a trap. If you're carrying and you get stopped, and you DON'T tell the cop, they will find a way to put you in cuffs, especially MASP.
You are also required to store your firearms in a locked box, separate from Ammo. It is NOT lawfulf or you to keep a loaded firearm in a nightstand quick-access safe. Yes, that is correct, even in the "privacy" of your own home. If the police execute a search warrant for something and the find a loaded gun and/or ammo being stored alongside firearms, you'll catch a new charge. You need a separate lockbox for ammo.
When transporting guns to the range, even with an LTC, your carry-gun can be loaded (obviously) but any other gun you're bringing that isn't on your person must be in a locked box, unloaded, and ammo in a separate box, also locked. Pre-loaded magazines are illegal unless they're on your person. You heard that right: You cannot transport a loaded magazine, even with an LTC, in your glovebox. Suppressors, modifications, and threaded barrels are outlawed. Technically you can't even drop a custom trigger in your gun without becoming a felon. A lawyer that goes to my range said the state could even make the argument that swapping sights is illegal.
I'm not worried about people doing donuts in my yard. I've had my political lawn signs vandalized multiple times, ON CAMERA, and local police did nothing. I'm used to that. I'm more concerned about what happens when they kick the door in. There's no castle doctrine here. No stand your ground. If someone kicks my door in, and I have a way out, I can't shoot. And if I am cornered and have a clean shoot, I had best be doing chest compressions on the bad guy when the cops arrive. I may manage to keep myself out of prison, but I will surely lose the civil suit, even in the most perfect legal circumstances. Some say you're better off just letting them kill you, because you're going to end up in hell anyway.
I'm just scratching the surface on gun laws here in Mass. I could go on, but I won't. If you want to learn more, I'll provide you with links, but you get the idea now. I've made my point, I believe. I have held LTC's in Mass, RI, CT, NH, ME, and PA. One of the worst of those is RI, they are now near impossible to get, especially if you're a non-resident. The application processes are ridiculous.
Trust me when I say have a freakin' master's degree in navigating LTC's and ridiculous gun laws, and TN doesn't even crack the top 30. While I'm sure TN has some annoyances regarding firearm laws, you've got it pretty damn good down there.
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And at voting time, I plan on doing my part to keep TN old school. In fact, I plan on running for local office as soon as I'm legally eligible, so I can help make SURE Tennessee doesn't ever become Massachusetts. By moving away, all you're doing is removing another conservative vote at election time.
There isn't a place in the world that doesn't change and have people move to/from it. It's a fact of life. I know you want to preserve TN the way it was, but leaving isn't the answer (and neither is not welcoming refugee conservatives from blue states). We're all in this together.
The grass isn't greener on the other side, the grass is greener where you water it. Unless the soil is radioactive, like it is here in Mass. Trust me, I might stay and fight for Mass if I thought there was a chance. There isn't. The left owns this state. Also you have better weather.
There isn't a place in the world that doesn't change and have people move to/from it. It's a fact of life. I know you want to preserve TN the way it was, but leaving isn't the answer (and neither is not welcoming refugee conservatives from blue states). We're all in this together.
The grass isn't greener on the other side, the grass is greener where you water it. Unless the soil is radioactive, like it is here in Mass. Trust me, I might stay and fight for Mass if I thought there was a chance. There isn't. The left owns this state. Also you have better weather.
We have in CT everything you mentioned in MA. However you can own pre ban ARs. But all the other stuff is the same all in place 2013 the year we went to TN to house shop.
I just don't want to see the OP move to a place (however beautiful) where they can no longer defend themselves and lose their 2nd amendment right, which is SUCH an important right.
Yeah, CT was a pain in the a** to get an LTC. I only did it once.
Mass' new gun laws (that just went into effect last year) are absolutely brutal. We don't even know the full extent of what they are, because the wording is so poor. We're just going to have to wait for arrests, trials, supreme court decisions, and precedents to be established. We're living in a gray area.
The wife and I hiked up to Mt LeConte and cliff tops yesterday (11 miles) and my legs and knee agree the Smokies are mountain.
Crappieaddict
Well-Known Member
They are definitely mountains! Great pictures! That is not an easy hike!
Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
I had my CCW in CT from 1976 to 2014 when I surrendered it. I got the TN CCW 5 years later.
Wish you were moving closer to the Nashville - Huntsville corridor - there's no easy way to get over to Chat-town from where I am.
They act funny too
Crappieaddict
Well-Known Member
Yes they do!
I will 100% make the drive and go visit!!!
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I found some YouTube videos that have great information. Equador is looking nice!
Culdesac living is expensive!
I could do nothing but sell my home now and live in some of these places for 15-20 years on that sales income alone.
Not to mention, these bills would decrease:
Fly to TN from $500-1200 round trip.
Gun ownership outside the U.S. is different anywhere. I don't carry now for a variety of reasons. Probably should, but it is not a major concern for me.
Culdesac living is expensive!
I could do nothing but sell my home now and live in some of these places for 15-20 years on that sales income alone.
Not to mention, these bills would decrease:
- City/county taxes- 400m
- Electric-300m
- Water/gas-200m
- Cable/internet-120, just use cellular or cafes
- Vehicle insurance- currently 800m
- Food would cost less
Fly to TN from $500-1200 round trip.
Gun ownership outside the U.S. is different anywhere. I don't carry now for a variety of reasons. Probably should, but it is not a major concern for me.
It's never a problem until it's a problem.
And don't forget, the constitution is limited to the US of A. You won't find it anywhere else, and you won't be able to stroll into the US embassy if you renounce your citizenship!!
Not trying to be a downer, just very real consequences to consider before making that kind of jump. Also, you're a son of the country, we'd hate to lose you. (Unless you're a liberal, in which case I will drive you to the airport for free!
)Ecuador would be a STRONG option.
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Don't plan on giving up US citizenship! These countries have retirement visas, etc.
TN and many places in the US are not the same as they were 20 years ago. Prices are definitely not the same.
Living in an RV and rambling around the US and Canada would cost about the same as staying home….maybe more. RV sites and fuel add up. If hotels were less expensive, that is how I would travel America. I have no issue living out of a decent hotel room!
TN and many places in the US are not the same as they were 20 years ago. Prices are definitely not the same.
Living in an RV and rambling around the US and Canada would cost about the same as staying home….maybe more. RV sites and fuel add up. If hotels were less expensive, that is how I would travel America. I have no issue living out of a decent hotel room!
My Commie stepson loves Ecuador and a socialist attorney I know just moved to Costa Rica and loves it. That's all I need to know.
Yes , but. what are you inferring?
They sure do down south. Weird acting.
Checked gun laws in several places in the Caribbean. Were very lenient and amazed me.
You don't have to give up your U.S. citizenship.It's never a problem until it's a problem.
And don't forget, the constitution is limited to the US of A. You won't find it anywhere else, and you won't be able to stroll into the US embassy if you renounce your citizenship!!
Not trying to be a downer, just very real consequences to consider before making that kind of jump. Also, you're a son of the country, we'd hate to lose you. (Unless you're a liberal, in which case I will drive you to the airport for free!
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Interesting video….
One of my bosses when I worked at the state prison, retired to Peru. has a nice house near the beach, and a house keeper.
No, I suppose you don't, but I don't know if you can buy a home and live there (or for how long) before your residency becomes an issue. Unlike America, other countries typically don't welcome squatters, unless you're a goat-poker and you're invading Europe.
Check out the Philippines.
user 14220
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It is a huge world out there. It is sad that people get stuck on the one tiny place they happened to be raised at.
You never know how much you will love a new place until you try. I met plenty of people who winter in Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, etc. If they didn't enjoy it and can afford it they wouldn't be going back year after year.
Go for it. Search Youtube. Plenty of info out there. Move and try it, you can always move again if it doesn't work out
You never know how much you will love a new place until you try. I met plenty of people who winter in Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, etc. If they didn't enjoy it and can afford it they wouldn't be going back year after year.
Go for it. Search Youtube. Plenty of info out there. Move and try it, you can always move again if it doesn't work out
I'm not opposed to visiting places, but the USA is home, and it always will be.
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I think South America interests me more because it is a shorter flight to states.
I don't even have any desire to visit Hawaii!
I have a high school friend that married a younger lady in Thailand. They basically moved from Nashville and lived in Thailand in some nice places along the beach for 4 years. They just had a baby and moved back to states to be around grandparents.
Guy has always been an entrepreneur. I think he still owns couple of small businesses in middle TN, but he does not work.
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Hawaii is just pretty, warm Massachusetts.
