Q: What does "possessing a firearm with the intent to go armed" exactly mean?
In Tennessee there are multiple levels of carry allowed for a handgun, but they all seem to hinge on the statement that "intent to go armed" makes the possession illegal. If I carry my handgun for self-defense, then surely my intent is to go armed. This limitation makes no sense to a reasonable person. So, does the phrase "intent to go armed" have some additional meaning in legal terms that the average person won't usually be exposed to?
A: Think of it this way: Under the statutory scheme of carrying handguns - the carrying of all handguns is illegal - because naturally if you are carrying a loaded handgun in public, open or concealed, you are going with the intent to go armed. However, there are exceptions to this rule such as getting a permit, or traveling under the "constitutional carry" provision of the applicable statute. There are three categories, (1) enhanced permit; (2) concealed permit; (3) no-permit, which has other requirements. Depending on your situation, you need to know the law about where and when you can carry depending on your status. And this statute does not permit going armed with rifles or shotguns. This is only applicable to handguns. The reality is that a lot of people probably think they can just carry a handgun everywhere, but may not satisfy all of the statutory requirements to do so.
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