Final answer:
A licensed individual can legally carry a concealed handgun, and post-District of Columbia v. Heller, they have the right to keep a functional firearm in the home for self-defense. Gun owners must comply with specific storage laws, and unlawful possession can lead to serious legal repercussions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person is licensed to carry (LTC) and is legally concealing a handgun, the regulations surrounding the use and carrying of that handgun can vary depending on jurisdictional laws. However, drawing from the historical context provided by the District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) decision, we understand that prior laws in D.C. mandated that firearms must be kept unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock unless they were located in a place of business or being used for legal recreational activities. This case ultimately led to the acknowledgment that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep a functional firearm in the home for self-defense.
In practice, a person who is licensed may typically carry a concealed handgun, and depending on state laws, directly use it for self-defense without the need to disassemble it or apply a trigger lock, particularly while in their own home or potentially in a place of business. However, when not in use, proper storage laws specific to the jurisdiction must be observed to ensure safety and compliance with the law, especially considering the constraints that existed before the Heller decision.
It's important to note that while a person may be licensed to carry a concealed handgun, other individuals carrying unlawfully, as mentioned in the armed robbery scenario, can face legal repercussions, highlighting the distinction between lawful and unlawful possession and usage of firearms. Specific circumstances such as being suspected of committing a more serious crime, like armed robbery, would certainly compound legal issues for individuals found unlawfully in possession of a weapon.