"Why go somewhere dangerous you would need a gun?"

[Pat McGarrity]

Dear Speaker Williams, Committee and House Members:

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the daily risks in the Memphis area. Recently, Memphis ranked second most dangerous among cities over 500,000 in 2007, as well as the second most dangerous metropolitan area once again. In 2006, the Memphis metropolitan area ranked number one in violent crimes for major cities around the U.S. according to the FBI's annual crime rankings, where it had ranked 2nd in 2005. Crime appears to be getting worse, not better.

Most of you then, can understand that people want to be protected. Statistics show, with the deepest respect for Law Enforcement, that it is not likely police will be able to prevent violent crime in a pro-active role.

This is a lesson I have personally learned the hard way on a Memphis residential street and have a prosthetic orbit (eye socket) to remind me of that. Plus, the memory of a shotgun being held to my head and being told I would be dead if I went to the police. So, I have tried it Representative Sontany’s way, but more on her philosophy below. Some of you tell us; “well you can carry a gun sometimes, but lock it in your car if you go into certain restaurants, the parks you pay for, etc.”

Memphis Police Dept. Deputy Chief Jim Tusant has previously testified for former Rep. Henri Brooks against our restaurant carry bill. However, Deputy Chief Tusant had several of his own weapons stolen from his marked patrol car, in the controlled access city garage across the street from police headquarters. When asked by former Rep. Jerome Cochran to give one example, just one, to substantiate his criticism of the bill, Deputy Chief Tusant could not give any evidence, whatsoever. None.

In fact, MPD Director Larry Godwin said, in a November 30th, 2008 newspaper article; "Cars do not make good safes.” Additionally in the same article, MPD Major Joe Scott said, “Nobody should leave a gun in their car.” "That's stupid. If you're not going to have your gun with you, it's not doing you any good in the car."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... r-vehicle/

With all this in mind, let me take this opportunity to quote Committee Member, Representative Sontany:



Rep. Janis Sontany (D-Nashville) - to Collierville TFA Member, Scott Frick, April 7th, 2005.

Individual restaurant business owners are the ones that need to decide how to run their businesses, not big brother and the Nanny State. They could post their restaurants prohibiting armed patrons with this legislation passed, just as they can now. Please send clean gun bills to the floor and then if you don't agree with them, vote no and let your constituents judge whether or not you are accurately representing them.

Respectfully,

Pat McGarrity
Director - Shelby County TFA

http://www.tennesseefirearms.com

[torque91]

A good answer to that question is: "Where? Like a mall, school, or church?"

[johnharris]

Good retort.

[ngoeser]

I am the widow of Benjamin Felix Goeser. My husband was gunned down in a sports bar at 10:40pm on Thursday April 2, 2009 in Nashville Tn.
http://www.wsmv.com/news/19128479/detail.html


My husband was murdered on April 2, 2009 (Nashville, Tn-Johnny's Sports Bar) infront of me by a gunman with what I believe was the premeditated intention to kill.
The current legislation before the state of Tennessee is vital to the safety of its citizens. If I could have been allowed to carry my gun (because I do have a permit) perhaps I could have saved my husband. The odds would have at least been more in our favor. People that have gone through proper training, background checks, registered their weapon and have the permit should be allowed to carry a concealed gun for their own protection as long as they are NOT drinking alcohol. Just remember....when seconds count, the police are minutes away. Bad guys don't care about Laws. Let good citizens have the ability to protect themselves and their families from these murderers. I never want anyone I love to be a target again. Never again. Please, help me and my husband get this law passed. I can't bring Ben back but I can try to keep this from happening again to another family. I need your help. People that are properly trained and have the permit will obey the law. Less than 1% of any gun crimes are committed by people that have permits. The man that murdered my husband had multiple weapons and no permit. You need NOT fear good citizens. Training is key. I also DO NOT believe there should be a time restriction up until (11:00pm). My life and the lives of those I love are worth just as much at 1:00am as they are at 9:00pm. Anyone who has been trained knows not to take a risky shot. They have been TRAINED. I lost my soulmate and I am forever hurt by what happened. I want to make sure people are able to protect themselves. Bad guys will NEVER follow the Law. You only risk innocent peoples lives by not allowing those with permits to carry concealed in establishments that serve alcohol.




Most Sincerely,



Nicole Renee' Goeser

[johnharris]

I would like to send a copy of this to every member of the House and Senate.

If I recall, Jimmy Naifeh stood on the floor at or about the time of this murder and used it as a reason to ban firearms and limit the ability of citizens to protect themselves. What makes him think he knows better?

[Pat McGarrity]

Dear Mrs. Goeser,

My most sincere condolences for the loss of your husband. My wife works at a restaurant at night and loosing her is my worst fear. Your story brought tears to my eyes and I know that the only way us peaceful people will have a chance is if these dangerous restrictions are removed from our exercising our civil rights.

God bless you and thank you for your post. Please let me know if you would like that shared with others in TFA.

Thank You,

Pat

[KevinMcCauley]

Nikki,

I cannot imagine losing someone I love to such a tragic and senseless set of circumstances. Words cannot describe how sorry I am that this happened. I want you to know that people that have never met you are praying for you and your family.

My sincere condolences,

- Kevin McCauley

[David Lewis]

Nikki attended the Nashville TFA chapter meeting this past Tuesday night, and told her story to us simply and eloquently.

I'd like to see Jimmy Naifeh, who used her name "in vain"--without her knowledge or consent, for purely political purposes--on
the floor of the House to speak against restaurant carry, have the temerity to face her & hear what she has to say. His repeated
opposition to restaurant carry cost her husband his life. I believe she would chew Naifeh up & spit him out.

She is now a TFA member, as well.

David

[SomeGuy]

Perhaps we ought to get a friendly Rep to invite her to speak when Restaurant carry is brought up again.

Have her eloquently point out that Naifeh used her dead husbands name wrongly, and that she supports this bill, as it may save other Husbands.

[ProguninTN]

Does anybody know how the conference committee meeting(s) are going ?

[johnharris]

I received an email today that it is on Monday and that a request has been made for it to be broadcast through the state's web site. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to meet on Monday, May 4 at 2:00 PM in LP31.

House Video: Start at 35 minutes

http://tnga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph ... ip_id=1346

House Conference Members are Todd, McCord, Armstrong, Bass, Casada

Senate Conference Members are: Jackson, Finney, Burchett, Stanley, Beavers

I would strongly recommend phone calls to all conference members. I suspect we don't have to worry about the Senate members but we need to encourage the House members

[Volzfan]