Tennessee Court Rules 2 Gun Laws Unconstitutional

A three-judge panel in Tennessee's Gibson County Chancery Court ruled two state gun laws unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for gun rights advocates. The first law struck down was the prohibition on carrying firearms in public parks, which the court found violated both the Second Amendment and Tennessee Constitution by restricting lawful gun possession in municipal, county, or state-operated recreational areas. The second law, known as the "intent to go armed" statute, criminalized carrying a firearm with the intent to be armed, effectively allowing police to stop and arrest individuals simply for possessing a gun anywhere in the state, including on private property. The court described this statute as overly broad, noting it criminalized constitutionally protected conduct and made the entire state a de facto "gun-free zone" for certain gun owners. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by gun owners and organizations such as Gun Owners of America, who argued these laws infringed on their right to bear arms despite Tennessee's existing permitless carry law. While the panel ruled these laws unconstitutional, it did not immediately order the state to cease enforcement, and the state has yet to announce if it will appeal the decision.