TFA Member Sam Cooper Responds to LEO Brass

[Pat McGarrity]

March 14, 2008



Tennessee Public Safety Coalition

539 Church Street

Suite 504

Nashville Tennessee 37219





Members of the Coalition:



I have had an opportunity to read the letter sent to Speaker Naifeh and the members of the Tennessee House of Representatives. I can not express just how dismayed I am at a position that has no basis in fact or history being presented by such a representative group of law enforcement professionals.



I feel inappropriate trying to tell people such as you that your profession is one that depends on dependable, reliable and verifiable facts. Yet the fears you foster and incite with positions such as this, bolstered and given credibility by the virtue of your offices and positions of authority and responsibility have none of this.



Currently 34 states that have permit provisions allow permitted people to carry in alcohol serving establishments. In those 34 states, not ONE incident can be found to have involved a permit holder and a gun, NOT ONE. These predictions are just not founded in fact and therefore are false, misleading and only serve to incite a false sense of fear in the unknowing.



The duty of our elected representatives is to speak on behalf of and serve at the will of the people. During past sessions of The General Assembly, similar legislation has passed with overwhelming majority support in the Senate. During last years session this legislation received enough co-sponsors in the House to have passed if it made it to the floor for a vote. All this says that the elected representatives have heard from their constituents and know this is the will of the citizens of Tennessee. However by virtue of a VERY small minority of representatives, including Speaker Naifeh, the will of the people is thwarted. This is NOT how government by the people is supposed to work.



While I appreciate the concern for safety expressed in your letter, history simply does not confirm or support your fears. Again I have to express my disappointment in the fact that such a distinguished group of professionals would rely upon unsubstantiated theories to foster an attitude and feeling of unwarranted fear to achieve an unnecessary goal.





Thank you





Samuel L. Cooper

Memphis