Anti-SB 3012 Letter and rebuttal

[C. Richard Archie]

From earlier in the week "Letter to the Editor" printed in the Jackson Sun by a Jeffrey P Boyd:



Tennesseans should be proud. We have a Democratic governor who displays more common sense than Republican Senate Speaker, Ron Ramsey.

Our governor learned in a firearms safety course that "guns and alcohol don't mix." I can't imagine why this issue was up for vote in the Tennessee Legislature in the first place. When I first heard about this, I was aghast that such a bill would be considered in Tennessee. It gives the impression that Tennessee is a backward place where issues are settled with firearms. We need to show that Tennessee is a safe, civilized and forward-thinking place instead of a laughing stock where we take our guns into bars. This was illegal even in the wild west.

The people who fear that Democrats are going to take their guns away are mistaken. Democrats support the right to bear arms. This right was put into place by the founding fathers so people could protect their own home, hearth and loved ones. It was certainly not intended as Ron Ramsey seems to think. We already don't trust intoxicated people to drive, so why would we start arming them? It only takes one drink, and a few cross words, for something tragic to happen. I'm disappointed the legislature had to waste time passing and re-passing this bill. But I'm proud of Gov. Phil Bredesen for having the common sense to exercise his veto power.

Jeffrey P. Boyd

Jackson

My rebuttal in today's paper:



Letter writer Boyd not dealing with facts
May 23, 2010

Jeffrey Boyd's letter praising Gov. Bredesen's recent veto of SB 3012, which allows handgun carry permit holders the ability to be armed in establishments that serve alcohol, is full of misconceptions. Some facts are warranted.

First, only those who have made the effort to obtain an HCP are legally allowed to carry a weapon inside an establishment that serves alcohol. Those individuals have passed an FBI and local background check, taken a class that includes the points of law relative to the use of a weapon and are taught the restrictions placed upon them by the state, which includes the statute that at no time can the permit holder consume or be under the influence of alcohol and be in possession of a weapon. Penalties for violation include a $2,500 fine, 11 months, 29 days in jail and the loss of the permit. The HCP holder can, by state law, drink and drive; they cannot drink and carry a handgun. SB 3012 adds an additional $500 fine for consuming in an establishment that serves alcohol.

Ask Bredesen about the document he signed four years ago promising to affix his signature to such a bill if it crossed his desk, as he took the $2,500 campaign donation from the NRA for his last race for Governor.

Boyd's statement about arming "intoxicated people" is disingenuous at best, and possibly intentionally offered to conceal the truth, hoping to substitute "feeling" for facts, as the bill specifically precludes possession while consuming or being under the influence of alcohol.

Forty two other States in the U.S. allow their permit holders to possess their weapons in establishments that serve alcohol, if the holder is not consuming. Every contiguous state to Tennessee allows it. This bill simply brings Tennessee in line with the majority of our sister states.

C. Richard Archie
Chapter Leader
West Tennessee Regional Chapter
Tennessee Firearms Association

[David Lewis]

Good job, Richard!

David

[johnharris]

As we move forward in companionship to advance these issues, we have a much greater impact than we might now perceive.

[tnxdshooter]

Some coward wrote one in the chattanooga paper and was to chicken poop to put his name to it.