Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc.

They ran a small snippet of a story about "guns in bars" how the law is being changed to allow people to have guns in bars....that was pretty much how they left it. Nothing about restaurants mentioned at all...just bars. We call it the restaurant carry bill...the media is pushing the idea that we want to belly up to the bar and get tanked. They quoted one unnamed senator who opposes the bill saying "why would you want a gun in a bar unless you're looking for trouble. We have got to get our side of the story out there

I emailed the station...so far no response. I'm planning on emailing the program director and would like to be one of the masses of people trying to get our message out.

News 2 / WKRN-TV
441 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37210
Main Number:
615.259.2200 or 615.369.7222
Programming: 615.369.7266
News: 615.369.7236

news@wkrn.com

My email:
I was very disappointed in the small snippet of story ran on Wednesday on the 10pm newscast. You left out some VERY important facts. The bills in question are not to give the law abiding citizens of Tennessee the ability to belly up to the bar with their favorite gun strapped on their hip. It’s to give the law abiding citizens the ability to enjoy a meal in a restaurant that serves beer and alcohol. The way you positioned and worded the story appeared little more than sensationalism. It didn’t cover any of the true facts…only the shock factor. It is illegal to be under the influence while being in possession of a weapon, the new law won’t change any of this.
Lifted from dispatches from the Tennessee Firearms Association:

SB 0023*
Jackson
HB 0702
McCord CRIMINAL LAW: Possession of firearm where alcohol is served. Permits a person who has a permit to carry a handgun to carry gun in place where alcohol is served for consumption on premises if person not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1305
SB 1651
Jackson
HB 1118*
Buck CRIMINAL LAW: Possession of handguns where alcohol is served. Allows a person holding a handgun permit to possess a handgun on premises where alcoholic beverages are served, so long as said person is not consuming alcohol and so long as the owner of the premises had not posted a notice prohibiting such possession.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1305
Senate Status: Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 05/15/2007.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.
SB 1885
Jackson
HB 1143*
Buck CRIMINAL LAW: Firearms allowed in restaurants. Allows any person with handgun permit who is not consuming alcoholic beverages and is not under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances to carry a handgun in a restaurant where alcoholic beverages are served.
TCA Secs. 39-17-1300; 39-17-1305
Senate Status: Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 05/15/2007.
House Status: Referred to House Judiciary Criminal Practice Subcommittee.


I would like to see some kind of follow-up story on this subject. News 2 usually does a fine job of covering the rights of Tennesseans to have the ability to protect themselves and their families. For a good source of information from the “other” side, please look up the Tennessee Firearms Association at http://www.tfaonline.org/


Thanks
Danny Dunn
Nashville Tennessee

The response from Allison Hatcher"
Danny,

I apologize if my deliver on the “guns in bars” story was offensive. I certainly did not mean for it to come across that way. In fact, it is my goal to remain neutral on most stories (with the exception of stories where showing opinion is appropriate).

What you might have sensed was my feeling about the lawmaker opposed to the idea. I’m sure you remember hearing about the lawmaker who felt “the only reason a person would need to carry a gun… is if that person were looking for a trouble.”

Personally, I find that idea little unfair! It’s quite obvious the reason gun owners want to be able to carry a weapon is to be able to ***protect** themselves from trouble. But it’s my job to make sure my opinion – whether “for” or “against” an idea – does not come through at the wrong time. I obviously missed the mark last night and for that I apologize.


Truly,
Allison Hatcher

Well, it "sounds" like she's on our side but there's no mention of following up the misleading report with one based on facts.
Jack

Channel 2 is one of THE most anti-gun channels in Nashville, IMO.