by johnharris » Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:37 pm
The difference in the two bills are that the House wants to
- prohibit possession in any "age restricted" place without regard to time and
- prohibit possession in any restaurant after 11pm
The Senate strips both restrictions
Here are some points
- Age restricted locations came into existence primarily in relation to places where patrons could smoke. While some of these locations may have a "non-family" atmosphere, that does not mean that they should be weapons restricted. The House added in this "age restricted" clause on the theory that these places are primarily bars, night clubs, dance clubs, etc. So, what if the permit holder is with a group and that is where the group wants to go? The no drinking restriction still applies. Part of the problem here is that the bill would apply to normal restaurants that become "age restricted" at any time. Thus, if the restaurant becomes age restricted at say 8pm - permit holders would have to immediately leave.
- 11pm was dreamed up as a response to an initial House proposal, I think by McCord (R.) but I double check the study committee video, to make permit holders leave by 9pm. The real point is - why? For example, we often go out on Friday night after high school football games and by the time the game is over, it can easily be 11pm or later before we get served and leave the restaurant. Why would we need to leave early or even get up and go the car/trucks to store the firearm(s) at 10:59?
Neither of these restrictions have any demographic, statistical, and verifiable data to support them. Its just guesses, suppositions, rumors and, well, made up. Some might think that the fact that its dark or late means only "bad", "reckless", "irresponsible" or "untrustworthy" people are out at that time of night but how do you apply that to 2nd and 3rd shift employees? How do you apply that to the employees of these places? How do you apply the 11pm rule on the time line on the Cumberland plateau?
Its a fear mongering distrust of permit holders pure and simple. They will tell you at election time that they support the 2nd Amendment, that they are permit holders, that they are NRA members well if they are at election time then they need to prove it with their voting records.
John Harris
Executive Director
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Attorney