BREDESEN STATEMENT ON SUPPORT OF GUN CONFISCATION

[Pat McGarrity]

"This is Washington style nonsense; and it's irresponsible. This bill has nothing to do with the Second Amendment or the governor's strong support of the Second Amendment.

"This administration opposes any effort that erodes the power of this or any future governor to appropriately respond to protect the safety and security of Tennesseans during a natural disaster, terrorist act or any other emergency."

- Rachel Lassiter, Gov. Bredesen's deputy press secretary, as quoted in The Knoxville News Sentinel, 3/17/07.

Question: How would ordering Tennessee Law Enforcement and/or National Guard personnel, already busy in a crisis, to conduct door to door gun confiscation, and suspension gun & ammunition sales, make innocent Tennesseans safer and more secure?

You may want to ask Gov. Bredesen this yourself:

Governor's Office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001

Phone: 615.741.2001
Fax: 615.532.9711
Email: phil.bredesen@state.tn.us

On the opposite side of this, Sen. Mark Norris stands up for common sense and our civil rights.

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/artic ... 05,00.html

Knoxville News Sentinel, 3/17/07:

Despite opposition from Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration, a Senate floor vote is scheduled Monday night on legislation that would prohibit a governor from ordering seizure of firearms and ammunition during a declared "state of emergency."

Such seizures are permitted under current law, according to Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, sponsor of SB1597.

He said officials in Bredesen's administration have sent him a letter saying they "disagree with the intent" of the measure, which was inspired by confiscation of weapons in Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A federal judge, ruling in a lawsuit brought by the National Rifle Association, subsequently blocked further use of the law.

"The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is never more precious than during natural disasters or declared emergencies when self-defense can be the key to survival," said Norris in a statement.

"New Orleans citizens in lawful possession of weapons to protect their homes and families were forced to surrender those arms. We do not want a repeat of that scenario in Tennessee," he said.

Asked for comment, Rachel Lassiter, Bredesen's deputy press secretary, sent a reporter the following e-mail:

"This is Washington style nonsense; and it's irresponsible. This bill has nothing to do with the Second Amendment or the governor's strong support of the Second Amendment.

"This administration opposes any effort that erodes the power of this or any future governor to appropriately respond to protect the safety and security of Tennesseans during a natural disaster, terrorist act or any other emergency."