Man Walking Around With Two Rifles in Downtown Murfreesboro Arrested

Apr 26, 2013 at 06:11 pm by bryan


Walking around with two rifles in hand is a sure way to get questioned by police, not that there is anything wrong with rifles… or walking for that matter. 45-Year old James L. Tracy was stopped by Murfreesboro Police at 6:45 Tuesday night at the corner of North Maple Street and Chestnut. The police arrest report stated, “The subject was carrying two rifles.” While normally that would be of absolutely no concern, Mr. Tracy happens to be a convicted felon. As many realize, guns and felons don’t mix.

The report went on to say, “He was also intoxicated.” Well, the reported bad news does not end there. Tracy was accused of stealing the rifles out of a car parked in the Maple Street area earlier in the day. According to what the arresting officer wrote, “Mr. Tracy confessed to stealing the rifles out of the vehicle.” Tracy was charged with burglary to an auto and theft over $1,000. He will appear in court on May 16th.

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According to the Sheriff's Office, Tracy is homeless. 

Can you Carry a Rifle in Public?

The question has arisen… can you carry a rifle in public? WGNS has not able to track down any law in Tennessee that would discourage such behavior. Therefore, the answer is quite simply, “YES.” Anyone who is not a convicted felon can carry a rifle in public. As far as a permit goes, you do not have to have a permit to carry a rifle or shotgun in public, although doing so will likely generate some concern and probably a few calls to the 9-1-1 dispatch center.  You do have to have a handgun carry permit to carry a handgun concealed or in the open.

Interesting Sidenote:

It is interesting to note that past federal court cases have upheld the right for a felon to possess a gun in the privacy of his or her own home for protection. Past court opinions have not allowed for a felon to enter the general public with a gun, as that is illegal. Of course the courts did not touch base for the allowance of a firearm if the firearm in question was or is stolen.

A 2008 Knoxville News Sentinel news story touches base on such a subject.  

Source:

Murfreesboro Police Incident Report #13-7854
Knoxville News Sentinel
Tennessee Code Annotated
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office

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