Bad News/Good News: Briley cut slack, but not off hook

[Pat McGarrity]

Having a pro-gun Rep. in Briley's seat would be a net gain for our Liberty. Rep. Briley does not trust the most law-abiding group in America, Carry Permit Holders. He opposed upgrading our handgun carry permits to weapons carry permits, saying we might poach deer, which is already illegal.

Besides protecting Bambi, Rep. Briley has fought to make sure violent criminals are the only ones armed in Tennessee restaurants that serve alcohol. Although there is no evidence to justify such an infringement on our right to self-protection, he believes it should stop at the door to Applebee’s. Rep. Briley may not know much about the Constitution, however; he does know a thing or two about alcohol.



From The Tennesseean AKA Pravda on the Cumberland:

One of Briley's felony charges is reduced

By SHEILA WISSNER
Staff Writer


State Rep. Rob Briley faces one less felony charge stemming from the high-speed chase he led police on in Wilson County in September.

However, the former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee still could be convicted on a different felony charge for evading arrest, a charge that could cost him his seat in the legislature.

Wilson County prosecutors agreed to reduce the felony vandalism charge against Briley to a misdemeanor because the damage involved was worth less than $500, said Assistant District Attorney Linda Walls.

The other charges that remain intact against the Nashville Democrat include an evading arrest charge, she said.

Wilson County General Sessions Court Judge Barry Tatum granted Briley, 41, a delay in the hearing that was scheduled Wednesday to determine whether the lawmaker should be tried on drunken driving and other charges.

Briley was arrested Sept. 8 after crashing his sport utility vehicle into the back of a pickup truck in DeKalb County and leading police on a chase at speeds of more than 100 mph.

He was charged with driving under the influence, evading arrest, refusing a blood-alcohol test and vandalism. Police said he damaged the inside of a police patrol car after his arrest.

A videotape of the arrest showed Briley cursing and asking officers to shoot him in the head.

Briley stepped down Sept. 14 as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee but has not resigned from the legislature.

The legislator had no prior DUI arrests, according to state records.