kwikrnu
Banned
imported post
I've often wondered if one may carry multiple handguns in Tennessee. I've been told yes and no and the people who say yes have never given a reason. Tennessee code specifically states law enforcement may carry firearms (plural). However, code never uses the plural for handgun carry permit holders.
I recently found an Attorney genereal opinion # 95-118 given November 28, 1995.
Question 32.
May a person who possesses a permit issued under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-1315(b) carry more than one handgun (or firearm) at a time (i.e., whether a person may carry a "back-up")?
Answer.
Yes. A person who possesses a permit issued under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-1315(b) may carry more than one handgun or firearm in succession, or at a time, so long as the permit holder complies with all of the relevant statutes regarding weapons.
Analysis.
The permit statute uses the singular: "a person wishing to carry a handgun shall apply to the sheriff of teh county of such person's principal place of residence for a handgun permit." section 39-17-1315(b) (emphasis supplied). Generally, however, a statute using the sigular must be deemed to include the plural unless the contrary intention is manifest: "Singular includes the plural and the plural the singular, except when the contrary intention is manifest." Tenn. Code Ann. 1-3-104(c). This office has previously opined that "[a] permit to carry a handgun issued to Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-1315 is not restricted to a specified handgun, but rather allows a permit holder to carry any handgun that the permit holder lawfully owns and/or possesses." Op. Tenn. Atty. Gen. 95-025 (March 28, 1995) at 2. (Copy attached). Thus the statute does not manifestly indicate an intention to limit the number of handguns that may be carried in succession pursuant to a permit or that may be carried at any one time pursuant to a permit. Therefore the statute must be deemed to include the plural, and a person who possesses a permit issued under 39-17-1315(b) may carry more than one handgun at a time so long as he complies with all other applicable firearm statutes.
(39-17-1315 has repealed and 39-17-1351 has relaced it since the opinion was given)
I'm not not an attorney so carry at your own risk.
I've often wondered if one may carry multiple handguns in Tennessee. I've been told yes and no and the people who say yes have never given a reason. Tennessee code specifically states law enforcement may carry firearms (plural). However, code never uses the plural for handgun carry permit holders.
I recently found an Attorney genereal opinion # 95-118 given November 28, 1995.
Question 32.
May a person who possesses a permit issued under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-1315(b) carry more than one handgun (or firearm) at a time (i.e., whether a person may carry a "back-up")?
Answer.
Yes. A person who possesses a permit issued under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-1315(b) may carry more than one handgun or firearm in succession, or at a time, so long as the permit holder complies with all of the relevant statutes regarding weapons.
Analysis.
The permit statute uses the singular: "a person wishing to carry a handgun shall apply to the sheriff of teh county of such person's principal place of residence for a handgun permit." section 39-17-1315(b) (emphasis supplied). Generally, however, a statute using the sigular must be deemed to include the plural unless the contrary intention is manifest: "Singular includes the plural and the plural the singular, except when the contrary intention is manifest." Tenn. Code Ann. 1-3-104(c). This office has previously opined that "[a] permit to carry a handgun issued to Tenn. Code Ann. 39-17-1315 is not restricted to a specified handgun, but rather allows a permit holder to carry any handgun that the permit holder lawfully owns and/or possesses." Op. Tenn. Atty. Gen. 95-025 (March 28, 1995) at 2. (Copy attached). Thus the statute does not manifestly indicate an intention to limit the number of handguns that may be carried in succession pursuant to a permit or that may be carried at any one time pursuant to a permit. Therefore the statute must be deemed to include the plural, and a person who possesses a permit issued under 39-17-1315(b) may carry more than one handgun at a time so long as he complies with all other applicable firearm statutes.
(39-17-1315 has repealed and 39-17-1351 has relaced it since the opinion was given)
I'm not not an attorney so carry at your own risk.