Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc.

Dear Honorable Tennessee Representatives:

Same fight, different year! Who would have thought, that after overcoming a governor veto, we would be still working to pass this very important legislation? How can the opinion of one person, so easily, stop the legislative will of the people? I don't know, but I do thank all of my state representatives for their willingness to get this passed into law as soon as possible. I'm also thankful that Mr. Naifeh, who now has a carry permit, may also finally be an ally. It's been said so many times, but well worth repeating, guns don't kill people, criminals do. And law abiding citizens have a need, and a God given desire, to protect themselves and their families. When you pass this law, you can rest easy at night, knowing that you had an important part in making Tennessee safer.

I'm copying this to my representative, Ms. Joanne Favors, who voted against this last year, and I pray she will finally realize how important this legislation really is. When it comes to the full house for a vote, I want her to pray about this, seek the Lord's will, and then she will vote yes. The senseless killings will be reduced when the criminals know the possibility exists that they can be killed when they commit crimes. They would much rather take their chances before a judge and jury, if they are even caught.

Keep up the good work for all of Tennessee! Say yes to HB3125 WITH the NRA amendment.

Sincerely,

Ben Burke

I dont see hb3125 or SB 3012 on todays agenda folks. Anyone know what happened?

Rep. McDaniel announced about 30 minutes into the hearing that Rep. Todd has requested that it be rolled for 2 weeks. Very disappointing....

John: Any word why Todd would agree to this?

WTF?

Heck, I thought once it cleared the house and the senate it was through.

Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Legislative Action Committee
Developments Tuesday night and Wednesday morning suggest a manuever by "hospitality" interests designed to kill the bill to fix the restaurant court decision entirely. (HB3125)
The plan seems to be for that interest group (which likely includes Rayburn) to ask the House Finance Ways and Means to seek a 2 week roll on the bill in order to offer amendment(s) that would modify existing licensing laws so that a "bar" or something similar would be a new category that could be idenitified in the firearms laws as an off limits location. This appears to be a delay maneuver since it has never been offered in the last 14 years as an amendment. Its a delay because April is upon us, the legislature will likely be in session only a few more weeks and if the bill is passed and vetoed at this point there is a good chance that it would not be overriden because the legislative session will run out of available days and, in an election year, there will be too many excuses not to come back.
It is critical to call and contact your legislators as well as these committee members and demand that the bill be approved and sent to the floor today. We cannot accept a delay designed to kill rather than improve a bill. Its already a close vote but a 2 week roll could turn out to be lethal.
Wednesday, March 24, the House Finance, Ways, and Means Budget Sub-Committee will hear House Bill 3125.

At this point, Rep. Todd has not stated why he asked to roll the bill 2 weeks to my knowledge. It was my understanding that we had the votes as of yesterday and the new fiscal note on the amendment indicated that it was revenue neutral so there was really nothing for the Finance, Ways and Means committee to debate. However, I anticipate from several sources that "hospitality" interests are "saying" they want to offer and amendment and that was the basis for the delay. Its a crock. It should have run today from everything we now know and the failure to do so increases the risk that nothing will pass this year because a late veto may not be overriden without a special session - which is unlikely since "they" want to recess so that they can raise money and campaign.

I am furious about this action, but will reserve comment about my thoughts as to why it occurred, until I receive an answer to the e-mail I sent Rep. Todd right after learning of this occurrence.

Get him c archie.

I want to give him an opportunity to explain the action. I have asked by e-mail, voice mail and fax. The day is young, but I have started working the periphery as well, with calls to my local Representative and Todd's office.

I might take a breath about noon, (where is my blood pressure medicine ?) but I will be seeking an answer to this, and will not rest until we have that. If there is prudent, wise reasoning behind it, well and good.

One would surmise that if a public official stands with the head of the NRA-ILA for a photo-op relative to the Restaurant Carry bill last year, then there must have been good reason to stick a knife in what was proffered as the fix of the usurpation of said issue this year.

I'm pretty certain that Representative Todd did introduce legislation this year which would create a separate "bar" category from a restaurant liquor license, which is also something the hospitality industry wants. to get around the "over-fifty-percent-of-sales-must-come-from-food" provision of the current restaurant liquor license. The hospitality folks may have asked him to wait until that law was passed so that firearms could be allowed in restaurants, but not "bars." This is pure speculation on my part, and whatever the reason, I'm not certain anyone will get the real reason from Representative Todd.

It is referenced here:

http://www.oakridger.com/columnists/x14 ... on-in-Tenn

He may have withdrawn it?