Tennessee - 39-17-1397. Unlawful carrying or possession of a
weapon. (a)(1) A person commits an offense who carries
with intent to go armed a firearm, knife with a blade
length exceeding four inches, or a club....
- 39-17-1301. Definitions... (5) "Knife" means any bladed
hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious
bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person
with the instrument.
- 39-17-1302. Prohibited weapons. (a) A person commits an
offense who intentionally or knowingly possess,
manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells... (6) A
switchblade knife or knuckles... (b) It is a defense to
prosecution... that the person's conduct... (4) Was
incident to... a lawful dramatic performance... (5) Was
incident to displaying the weapon in a public museum or
exhibition...
- 39-17-1309. Carrying weapons on school property. (a) As
used in this section, "weapon of like kind" includes
razors and razor blades except those used solely for
personal shaving, and any sharp pointed or edged
instrument, except unaltered nail files and clips and
tools used solely for preparation of food...
(b)(1) It is an offense for any person to possess or carry ,
whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed,
any... bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger...
switchblade knife... or any other weapon of like kind [on
any school bus or property]... a Class E felony.
- 39-17-1310. [Exceptions to above include hunting; knife or
gun show on school property; passenger pick-up or drop-
off]
Tennessee Case Law:
- "The general assembly has the power to prohibit the keeping
or bearing of weapons dangerous to the peace and safety of
the citizenry." (1840; 1878)
- "The constitutional right to bear arms refers only to
military arms or arms useful in the common defense."
(1840; 1872)
- "The purpose of the former provisions was to discourage the
using of certain weapons which tend to lead to crime."
(1957)
- "The terms 'other knife or weapon of like form, shape, or
size of a bowie knife or Arkansas toothpick,' used in the
former provisions were not too indefinite to be
enforced..." (1844; 1928)
- "It was not necessary to a conviction under the former
provisions that the weapon carried be concealed about the
person, except if it was a razor..." (1914)
- "Butterfly or Balisong knives are not switchblades..."
(1986)
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