The governor of Tennessee has just signed a new law that will allow adults to carry handguns without the need for training or a background check. They will not be required to obtain a permit for either open carry or concealed carry. There are currently 30 states that allow permitless open carry and 20 states that allow permitless concealed carry. At least a half dozen other states are considering similar legislation. The new law goes into effect July 1, 2021.

New Law

Under the new law, any adult 21 years of age or older will be allowed to carry either an open or concealed handgun without a permit. The law will also allow military members who are between the ages of 18 to 20 the same right. The current law requires Tennessee citizens to obtain a permit in order to carry a handgun. In order to get that permit, the applicant must go through required training, background checks, and fingerprinting. None of that will be necessary under the new law. The new law only applies to handguns. Permits will still be required for long guns.

While the new law does make it easier for adults to carry handguns, it also increases the penalties for certain gun crimes. For example, the theft of a firearm, which is currently charged as a misdemeanor, will now be charged as a felony. That means the penalty for conviction goes from a potential maximum 30-day sentence to a mandatory six-month jail sentence with no possibility of early release.

There are many different ways that non-consensual sexual acts can be charged under Tennessee law. Some of the most common crimes are rape and sexual battery. Cases involving aggravating factors, such as brandishing a weapon to rape or committing assault against a child, carry much more severe punishments. Even if a child or a teenager claims to consent to a sexual act, it may still be considered illegal in the state of Tennessee. This is generally classified as statutory rape. If an unmarried female who is under the age of 18 is pregnant, and the presumed father of the child is more than four years older than her, an attending physician is expected to tell the authorities about the situation with the patient’s (or her parents’) consent. In some cases, however, a person may be charged with sexual assault based on false allegations. 

Understanding How Sex Crimes Are Defined in Tennessee

Rape is defined as sexual penetration of a victim using force or coercion (such as threatening violence or kidnapping) or without the victim’s consent when the defendant is aware of the lack of consent. It can also be charged when the defendant knows the victim is physically or mentally incapacitated. 

The offense of sexual battery is sexual contact (intentionally touching another person’s intimate parts, even with clothing on, for sexual gratification or arousal) using force, coercion, or without the victim’s consent, or in situations where the defendant knows the victim is physically or mentally incapacitated. A person may also be charged with sexual battery if an act of sexual contact was accomplished by fraud.

Being charged with a criminal offense can result in serious consequences. A person can face costly fines, loss of driving privileges or professional licenses, and a lifetime behind bars, depending on the severity of the crime. There are certain crimes that warrant charges at both the state and federal levels. Federal agencies often have more resources available to investigate alleged crimes, and they take their time gathering important evidence to support their claims. That is why it is imperative that anyone facing federal charges for racketeering or conspiracy seek professional legal assistance as soon as possible. 

What Is Racketeering?

Racketeering may be committed at the state or federal level. Racketeering can refer to the act of acquiring a business, organization, or company through illegal activity; operating a business with illegally obtained income; or using a business operation to commit illegal acts. Federal crimes of racketeering may include the following offenses:

• Fraud

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Motor vehicle theft is a serious crime in Tennessee, and it can involve more than just stealing a car. ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles all fall under the category of motorized vehicles. A conviction for this type of charge can carry serious punishments, such as jail time, fines, and probation. In addition, it will appear on a person’s criminal record, which can directly impact his or her ability to secure employment or housing. 

In some cases, an individual may face these types of charges after unknowingly purchasing a stolen vehicle. For example, a car may be bought through a third party who is trying to deceive the buyer. The prosecution has the burden of proving intent, or that a person knowingly purchased a stolen vehicle. Regardless of the details, all Tennessee drivers should understand the laws and what constitutes vehicle theft in case they ever find themselves unintentionally involved in a crime. 

Different Types of Auto Theft 

Auto theft charges can vary depending on the circumstances. “Joyriding” refers to taking someone else’s vehicle for a ride without permission but not intending to keep or sell it. This act can result in Class A misdemeanor charges. Carjacking, however, is a more serious offense, since it involves using force against a person to take a vehicle. This can be charged as a Class B felony.    

Being charged with any type of crime should not be taken lightly. Depending on the severity of the offense, the penalties can range from costly fines to significant jail time. Sex crimes, especially those committed against children, often carry harsher punishments if convicted. In Tennessee, these offenses can include child abuse, sexual assault, and child pornography. For anyone facing charges for this type of offense, it is important to seek skilled legal representation. Besides demonstrating that the alleged offenses did not occur, it may be possible to defend against these charges by demonstrating a lack of intent, meaning the person who was allegedly in possession of child pornography did not know the materials involved a minor. An experienced criminal defense attorney can carefully review the circumstances of the case and make sure a defendant’s rights are protected throughout the proceedings.  

What Is Child Pornography?

Pornography is defined as the explicit description or display of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. Child pornography includes any pornographic material in which children are exploited for sexual stimulation. It may involve the direct sexual assault of a child, or images or sexual acts may be simulated. Child pornography may be viewed through different mediums, including books, magazines, photographs, drawings, paintings, animation, audio recordings, and videos. It may be created for profit or for other reasons.  

Child pornography is the depiction of offensive sexual activity involving a minor such as: