I was recently traveling through Tennessee on vacation & saw under their “Permitless Carry,” it is a crime under Tennessee law to carry a firearm with “the intent to go armed.” I’ve looked everywhere but can’t seem to find a definitive answer to what that means. If I carry a gun, I am intending to go armed.
Does anyone have an idea what this law means?
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It is referring to those who carry unlawfully, does not apply to legal carriers.
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That’s an old language law on the books. They have have made an exception to that for those who are not prohibited from carrying regardless if you get a permit, or since July 1, 2021 can go Permitless but, have acceptable ID also like a state DL.
You must be a Citizen, age 18, not a fugitive, or felon, not a subject of an order of protection, no domestic violence, or stalking charges, no DUIs, no drugs, and in a place lawfully.
That type of thing, and the intent to go armed doesn’t apply.
If you are a prohibited person, or in a place unlawfully, then regardless of permit, you are in violation of TN Law / Fed Law, and subject to arrest.
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Your honor, may I remind the court that the defense does not dispute the fact that our client was found in possession of a handgun. However, the gun was not loaded and as he asserts with absolute certainty, the bullets found in the glove box belong to his brother-in-law. To take those and use them without his relative’s consent would have amounted to theft and our client is a law abiding citizen.
To be armed, one must have the use of a functioning loaded weapon. Our client’s handgun was not functional therefore, he was not armed.
We hereby ask for the court’s indulgence and trust in its benevolence on behalf of this innocent young man that the charges against him be dismissed.
The defense rests…
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Of course you do not have to, but if you are ok with it, what state do you have residency in? From there, I imagine, we can check the reciprocity regs more easily. Apologies if coming off as too personal.
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Cute post, Ryan182.
Except at TSA Security Screening Checkpoints, they consider the firearm loaded even if empty if you have ammunition that you can put into your firearm.
You should have neither at their checkpoints.
That should have been declared, and checked in with your airline checked baggage before proceeding to the TSA Checkpoint.
No weapons, or ammunition in the security area.
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The discussion had nothing to do with TSA - but that’s good information
my “cute” post was intended to inject humor by imagining the speech that the guy’s lawyer would deliver because if you’ve spent time in court, it’s pretty much how the hairs are split -
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I was just pointing out a place where your if taken as blanketed universal truth could get those unaware of how strict TSA is an exception to what all concerned an unloaded firearm as a recipe for disaster in that situation.
I know YOU DID NOT MENTION TSA. You don’t need to be so snarky.
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Tennessee prohibits the possession of a firearm “with the intent to go armed.” However, as of July 1, 2021, a law was passed creating a statutory “exception” which allows permitless open and concealed carry for anyone that at least 18 years old or older, that may lawfully possess a handgun, is in a place where the person has a right to be and meets three additional criteria as defined in the table below. Some areas are off-limits, including government buildings and schools.
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Thank you, that does make it a little clearer & makes sense.
I am a resident of New Mexico & have reciprocity but reading all of what USCCA had on their reciprocity page, it didn’t make sense.
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You could say I was triggered by the “cute” volley which seemed like an invitation to a duel. Prolly best we both move on…
Peace brother
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Agreed! 
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Try to walk around holding an unloaded handgun… doesnt make a difference if its loaded or not
Edit to add: also not a duel invite! 
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Are you drunk?
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I thought I read hat too, but it was clear to me if when that was written, if they meant any legal resident of Tennessee “only” (having a TN DL or state ID) or if they meant any USA state legal resident.
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Based on USCCA’s reciprocity page, yep, you are covered ok, NM is listed:
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/tn-gun-laws/#recStates
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Bah… I know the post is old but after catching up I went and made popcorn for the entertainment. Lame 
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[We (TN) have Resiprocity with 48 other U. S. States, so that means most of the U. S.]
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