Georgia Sets Example of Gun Freedom for Tennessee

[Pat McGarrity]

Georgia Sets Example of Gun Freedom for Tennessee

The main difference is that Jimmy Naifeh is not the Speaker of the Georgia House.

Thanks to TFA Member, Jim Williams for sending us this:


Gun Reports Home >> News

Courtesy State of Georgia
Perdue inked the controversial gun bill on the final day for him to sign or veto legislation.

Concealed Weapons Now Allowed In Parks, On Public Transportation
Author: GR Staff
May 22, 2008

Georgians with carry licenses can tote their concealed guns on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol and in state parks under legislation recently signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

For two years, the bill prompted a collision of Republican constituencies, as lawmakers debated the rights of gun owners and the ability of landowners to control their property.

The General Assembly passed House Bill 89 in the final hours of the 2008 session. Until then, most of the debate on the measure had concerned a provision to permit employees to keep guns in vehicles parked on corporate parking lots.

Business interests, who had opposed the bill, say the legislation's language has been watered down to the point that the parking lots issue is no longer a concern.

But when HB 89 made its final appearance before both the House and Senate, language was added that expanded the list of public places where holders of concealed weapons permits could take their guns.

With Perdue's signature, restaurant patrons will be permitted to carry a firearm, but would be barred from drinking while doing so. Violations would be a misdemeanor. Concealed weapons will now be allowed in state and local parks. Guns in purses or under jackets will also be allowed on public transportation.

[johnharris]

But

Jimmy Naifeh knows what a mistake they made and what a horrible mistake the majority of elected legislators in the state of Tennessee would make relative to gun rights if he did not exercise his superior powers of ...

- wait, he has no superior powers - he is supposed to have one vote as an elected official and that one vote is clearly in a minority on these issues. So what is wrong in Tennessee that a minority controls the representative form of government that we are supposed to have?

[MountainJoe]

Do we have a pro-gun (or at least not rabidly anti-gun) candidate running against Naifeh for his state house seat this year? If he's not in the house, he can't be speaker....

[Tim Nunan]

[johnharris]

Personally, I would not focus attention on the individual defeat of Jimmy Naifeh. If the voters (real and dead) of his district desire him and individuals like him as their representative, as their spokesman, then so be it.

What I would much prefer to see is a development either by a change in the control in the House of Representatives (I do not necessarily suggest such a change would be the Republican party as it presently exists) such that jimmy Naifeh is not reappointed Speaker of the House of Representatives. Should that happen, one might see a tantrum and early retirement of the state's long tenured tyrant in the House of Representatives.

Let's not worry on one district but let us focus on the change of control to put into power a fair and responsible leader in the House of Representatives who will work to allow all citizens of the state of Tennessee to have representative voices through votes on the House floor on issues of significance. When Jimmy Naifeh abuses his power to kill bills which have 50 or more sponsors without a floor vote, the very definition of tyrant is apparent and evidenced by actions of his office.

[Sharky]

Thats an excellent point and a great way to gain momentum. Contacting the local rep and senator will help show constituents are making their voice heard. Email, phone calls, face to face meetings for lunch, all helped 89 get through. It did help to have the people in place that we have, however those were obtained in similar fashion and took a number of years to place in office. But the result was 89 and next year , momentum will continue.