Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc.

The deadline on vetoing the parks bill is today, June 11. SB 0976 - HB 0716

We have been alerted this morning that the Governor plans to VETO the parks bill unless the bill is recalled by the House and/or the Senate. The governor wants the PARKS bill amended to either remove local parks entirely and/or to flip from the "opt out" standard to an "opt in" standard.

The version of the bill that was passed by the legislature opens local parks but allows the local governments to close them by "resolution" - which is bad since it requires no public hearing. However, the governor wants the local parks closed by default and to allow local governments to open them - which most will not do.

We believe the Senate will stay on the current language but that the House (principally through sponsor Nicely) is considering recalling the bill.

We need calls to all legislators :

1) DO NOT RECALL THE BILL

2) IF THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO VETO IT - Fine but

3) GET A COMMITMENT TO A VETO OVERRIDE!!!! even if we have to extend the session.


http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/

I checked with the NRAILA lobbyist for Tennessee and this is the message that the NRA will be sending out -

SIGN IT OR WE WILL OVERRIDE AGAIN!!!

I've called Representative Nicely and Harwell's office and neither were aware of this going on. Paul, at Beth Harwell's office, wasn't sure how it could be recalled at this stage of the game, but said he would call Rep Nicely and see what's going on and get back with me.

Substantial discussions have taken place throughout the day. The Senate will have to address this issue tonight. In the absence of a recall by the Senate, the governor will have to decide whether he wants to spend additional political capital to veto the parks bill and then risk a possible 2nd override by the General Assembly.

News sources across Tennessee are reporting as if the recall is a done deal but the Senate has yet to vote on the issue as of this time. Calls, emails and faxes from gun owners can still influence this outcome.

The Senate did not concur. It did ]NOT get recalled. Friday the 12th is the day for the Gov to sign it, let it become law, or veto the bill. The Senate and the House both feel they have the votes to override the bill but hope it does not come to that.

Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 6:28 PM
To: 'Rep. Brian Kelsey - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Chad Faulkner - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Dennis Roach'; 'Rep. Eddie Bass - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Eric Watson - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Gary Odom'; 'Rep. Harry Tindell'; 'Rep. Henry Fincher - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Janis Sontany - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Joe Armstrong'; 'Rep. Johnny Shaw'; 'Rep. Jon Lundberg - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Judd Matheny'; 'Rep. Karen Camper - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Kent Coleman - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Lois DeBerry'; 'Rep. Michael Harrison'; 'Rep. Mike Stewart - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Rep. Steve McDaniel'; 'Rep. Vance Dennis - House Judiciary Committee'; 'Sen. Bo Watson'; 'Sen. Dewayne Bunch'; 'Sen. Doug Overbey'; 'Sen. Mike Faulk'; 'Senator Beverly Marrero'; 'Senator Charlotte Burks'; 'Senator Diane Black'; 'Senator Doug Jackson'; 'Senator Jamie Woodson'; 'Senator Jim Kyle'; 'Senator Mae Beavers'; 'Senator Mark Norris'; 'Senator Paul Stanley'
Cc: Phil Bredesen - Governor of the State of Tennessee
Subject: Bredesen and "Guns in Parks" bill

Dear Tennessee Senators, Representatives, and Staff:

I am writing to inform you, again, that I expect you to take action to see to it that the Guns in Parks bill passes with language that recognizes my Second Amendment right to carry, lawfully, my personal defense weapon WHEREVER I may go.

To do otherwise, i.e., not pass this bill or pass it with any restricting amendments, is a clear indicator that you are not a supporter of our Constitution or Bill of Rights, which by the way does not grant anything, but instead recognizes a pre-existing right. The Second Amendment is not an authorization of citizens’ rights but is, instead, a restriction on government’s ability to abridge those rights.

Placing restrictions on this bill indicates that you are pre-judging, pre-convicting me and others of a crime we have not committed.

I will ensure I compare the voting records for this and the “Guns in Restaurants” bill, and I will not only vote accordingly, I will actively lobby against those who presume to restrict, abridge, or impede my rights. There are many other service members who might be considering Tennessee as a future home.

Please vote for this bill, and do not allow Bredesen to manipulate you.

Sincerely,

William Shires
Army Retiree
Who chose Tennessee as a residence ……..


--PERTINENT QUOTES ---
1. I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house with me, I said I did. She said 'Well I certainly hope it isn't loaded!' To which I said, "Of course it's loaded; it can't work without bullets!" She then asked 'Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house [ presence ]?' My reply was, 'No not at all. I am not afraid of my house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around and they are all loaded too.' To which I'll add, having a gun in the house that isn't loaded is like having a car in the garage without gas in the tank. [ And as police reports document all too well, there have been occurrences where someone entered a restaurant and started shooting, and all the disarmed victims suffered the consequences of obeying a mis-guided government edict. ]
Anonymous [ and modified by CarlS ]

2. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a dangerous thing. A gun in the hands of a good man is a danger only to the bad man.
Charlton Heston