Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc.

Governor Bredesen sent a letter to Speaker Williams today stating that he was going to allow the 10th Amendment - Firearms Freedom Act - become law without his signature. He said he felt the legislation represents a "fringe constitutional theory" that he felt would be quickly rejected by the federal courts.

He states that the State of Tennessee "lacks any Constitutional authority to limit the power and authority of the United States Government...." Perhaps these "fringe" constitutionalists who believe in state's rights see this not necessarily as an effort to "limit" the federal government but as an effort to draw a line in the sand and demonstrate that the federal government has frequently and intentionally far exceeded the limits that are imposed on the federal government by the states through the Constitution. It also appears that he wants to discourage efforts by the states to enforce their respective and collective rights under the 10th Amendment. Yeah, that is just what Tennessee needs in the chief executive office - someone who does not believe in or hold dear the right of Tennessee as a sovereign state to tell the federal government it has far exceeded its authority.

Sure, the federal courts are probably going to reject the declaration of rights by Tennessee and other states such as Montana. That is not the point. The point is that this legislation is a step, a clear step, towards the states hopefully calling a constitutional convention to put teeth and meaning into the 10th Amendment. For example, if the colonist had stood against England in the King's courts, they would have lost also. That is futile but our governor likes the futile.

We cannot expect gutless federal legislators to do it because they have had the chance since 1940 and they are the ones who are the cause of the abuse.

We cannot expect presidents to do it because that office has become a revolving kingship and stage for wanna-be rock stars.

We cannot expect the Supreme Court to do it when people are being put there who are not held accountable to protect the constitutional principles on which this country was founded but instead to rule by race, ethnic experience and empathy.

Bredesen just does not get it - but maybe that is because he wants to be part of the federal government rather than stand strong against its abuses.

yes that is just like Phil. To tell us that we can not act under the constitution because the feder govt has authority.

Of course the feds will ignore it, thats not the point, the point is to put them on notice that we wont be pushed around and ignored while they wast our money and spoil our liberties!, And bredesen once again confirms he's a butt kissing self important gutless traitor to the constitution and the bill of rights, and i should have read the entirety of your post john, because i totally agree with you, gutless fame seekers comprise the majority of our legislative halls, and americans sleep, I'm outrage on both accounts,and give it out to people all the time, maybe it will stir others to join the cause of liberty, if not i know where they stand.

While some Federal Courts may erroneously agree with Gov. Bredesen, the States have already restricted the Federal Government in accordance with the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act.

The Federal Government is delegated power only over "such part of the militia as may be employed" in its service and then specifically restricted according to the 2nd and 10th Amendments:

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia,AND FOR GOVERNING SUCH PART OF THEM AS MAY BE EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; -–Article I, Section 8.16, U.S. Constitution

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a FREE STATE, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infirnged. –2nd Amendment

The powers NOT DELEGATED to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people. –10th Amendment

If the federal government decides to take this to the Supreme court, who represents Tenn? I am sorry if I sound ignorant, but I truly don't know how this would work.
Thanks,
Billy

So where can I get a made in TN suppressor for my AR? And where can I get some pro-bono legal help all the way to the top. I will be the sacrificial lamb.

I guess we are in a sertain position though. As far as I have heard Alaska has not become law and Montanas has not gone into effect. Ours was actually the first one to be in effect.

It is also my understanding that TN's is the first to go into effect although not the first one enacted.