I'm going to have to set a mental space aside just for that condition - it offends my Virginia state of mind.
Of course I will defer to those that have a closer alliance/working knowledge of Tennessee statutes.
I am offended by guilty until proven innocent conditions - trust there are those trying to change this.
PS - a link to the law would be good.
Unfortunately Grapeshot, he/she is right. Firearms carry of any kind is illegal in Tennessee, EVEN IN YOUR OWN HOME!!! Being in your home is simply one of several defenses to the crime. So, in theory, the following scenario could take place. Let's say you're talking to a fellow firearms enthusiast, and you tell him "yeah, I've lived here in Tennessee for several years; and I keep a few loaded guns in my home ever since the kids went off to college." And, let's say a cop overhears it. Under a strict interpretation of our law, that counts as probable cause for a search warrant for your house. At that point, if he really wants to ruin your day, he could swear out a warrant (just saying "the suspect is illegally possessing firearms"), search your home, confiscate the firearms, and arrest you for possessing a firearm "with the intent to go armed." At that point, if the prosecutor also wants to ruin your day, he could force it to go to trial. At that point, you would have to produce your title deed or rental agreement to prove that the house is your dwelling place and that you therefore meet one of the defenses. Then, you would have to hope that you didn't get a jury comprised of 12 members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the Brady Campaign to Reduce Gun Violence, the Violence Policy Center, etc. and that they correctly find you not guilty. Then, if you really get on the dunglist of the local police department, once you go to retrieve your confiscated firearms, that would give them probable cause to arrest you and start the process all over again (this time, the defense you would have to present at trial would be that the guns were unloaded).
Not only that, but us open carriers technically run the risk of being arrested everytime we open carry. Since the permit is another defense to the charge, a cop on a power trip could arrest an OC'er and make them present their permit at trial.
The reason for this is that the exemptions in the law (which I will cite shortly) are not EXCEPTIONS. They are DEFENSES. If it were the former, as it is in many states, then the prosecution would have to prove that you committed the crime and that the exceptions do not apply to you. Since it is the later, the prosecutor has to prove only that you possessed the weapon. It would then be your duty to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that you meet one of the defenses (yes, you have to prove your innocence, basically).
Now, the citation.
TCA 39-17-1307 Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon.
(a) (1) A person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed a firearm, a knife with a blade length exceeding four inches (4''), or a club.
..........
TCA 39-17-1308 Defenses to unlawful possession or carrying of a weapon.
(a) It is a defense to the application of § 39-17-1307 if the possession or carrying was:
[goes on to list 10 defenses to the charge]
