Body vests illegal in TN?

[drewski]

Saw this story and the line " misdemeanor body vest charge" jumped off the page (other than the DUI and drug charges).  Anyone know if this is a legit charge, or is it related to being under the influence/drugs with it on? 

 

http://fox17.com/news/local/nashville-man-found-passed-out-drunk-with-ballistic-armor-on-120-rounds-of-ammo

Edited October 11, 2016 by drewski

[Garufa]

As he was in the commission of another crime the wearing of body armor is a misdemeanor.  Otherwise it is legal unless you are a felon.

Edited October 11, 2016 by Garufa

[DaveTN]

39-17-1323.  Commission of certain offenses while wearing a body vest. 

  (a) A person commits an offense who knowingly wears a body vest, when acting either alone or with one (1) or more other persons, while committing:

   (1) Any felony whose statutory elements involve the use or threat of violence to a human being;

   (2) Any burglary, car-jacking, theft of a motor vehicle, or arson; or

   (3) Any felony offense involving a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue.

(b) For purposes of this section, a "body vest" means a bullet-resistant soft armor providing, as a minimum standard, the level of protection known as threat level I which shall mean at least seven (7) layers of bullet-resistant material providing protection from three (3) shots of one hundred fifty-eight-grain lead ammunition fired from a .38 caliber handgun at a velocity of eight hundred fifty feet (850') per second.

(c) The unlawful wearing of a body vest is a Class E felony.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the possession of a body vest for lawful purposes.

(e) Any sentence imposed under this section shall run consecutively to any other sentence imposed for the conviction of the underlying offense.

HISTORY: Acts 1997, ch. 321, § 1; 2012, ch. 848, § 23.

[drewski]

makes sense- thanks guys. 

[Oh Shoot]

Don't knock over a Stop N Rob with a switchblade either, use a Bowie knife to avoid the extra charge.

- OS

[Esko 270]

14 hours ago, drewski said:

Saw this story and the line " misdemeanor body vest charge" jumped off the page (other than the DUI and drug charges).  Anyone know if this is a legit charge, or is it related to being under the influence/drugs with it on? 

 

http://fox17.com/news/local/nashville-man-found-passed-out-drunk-with-ballistic-armor-on-120-rounds-of-ammo

This guy was actually my neighbor for a while. He always had the best gear and rifles. The benzos are never a good idea.