Q: Is it illegal to carry a handgun without a permit if I am just going to the store for example?
Now TN does require permits to carry open or concealed, but I noticed in the Tennessee Code 39-17-1308 under (a) 4 regarding “defenses to 39-17-1307” that it would be legal to carry without a permit if “Incident to lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, sport shooting or other lawful activity;”.... so assuming that going to the store is a “lawful activity”, then is it safe to assume that carry without a permit is legal as long as you are not doing anything illegal?
A:
It would be arguably illegal to carry a firearm into a store without a HCP. I doubt that you would want to take a chance and try to take a criminal charge to the Supreme Court based on the 2nd Amendment.
Whether you need to be armed or not, is not a legal issue but a personal choice. Tennessee's HCP has been a wonderful thing and I recommend getting one. You will not enjoy being a test case.
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