Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Tennessee criminal defense attorneys know how important it is to keep our schools safe. Many schools throughout our country have been impacted from recent school shootings. These shootings seem to be increasing each year, and seem to get greater attention from news companies each time they occur. In Tennessee, it is against the law to have weapons on school property. The statute not only applies to students, but to everybody with some exceptions. The punishment for violating this largely depends on the accused intent.

According to Tennessee law, it is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed, any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, knuckles or any other weapon of like kind, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, used or operated by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1309 (b)(1) (2008)

The definition of weapons here 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, instruction and maintenance. A violation of the above is a Class E felony.

It is also an offense under Tennessee law for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any firearm, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, used or operated by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution. It is not an offense here for a nonstudent adult to possess a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a private vehicle operated by the adult and is not handled by the adult, or by any other person acting with the expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1309 (c)(1) (2008) A violation under this part is a Class B misdemeanor.

If you have been charged with carrying a weapon on school property, or any other criminal offense, contact a Tennessee criminal defense attorney. Our lawyers handle criminal issues in the East Tennessee area including Knoxville, Johnson City, Morristown, Newport, Maryville, Loudon, and Sevierville.