Stopped by the police - what should you say?

[mmckin]

It appears that the local police in this area (Johnson City) are now asking permit holders if they are "currently armed." My assumption is that they can ask whatever they want, but what obligation do we have to answer them? If I am legally armed, I really have no reason not to be truthful, but why should I have to do that? Can I just say "I don't have to answer that" and then wait for them to kick my teeth in or make up some other BS to charge me with something? Is it against the law in TN to just flat out lie to the officer?

Here is a local story which I consider to be questionable that seems to be related to the treatment of a permit holder by the police:
http://mobile.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9016852

[johnharris]

You do not have to answer the question (see 5th Amendment and TN Constitutional privilege against giving evidence) but if you do, don't lie.

[rheppert]

I've got the impression that the "new" JC chief is pretty much anti armed citizens, based on his parks commentary and other things I've seen. I don't think the former Chief (Street) would have supported such foolishness.

[C. Richard Archie]

As the chief is an appointment of the Mayor, consider the source of your good fortune. To quote a Tennessee State Senator, "It make a difference who governs!"

[mmckin]

Well, the current Mayor of Johnson City has proven herself to be a non-thinking individual, based on several of her reported statements regarding guns in restaurants and guns in parks. See and