.jpg)
The Second Amendment March organization held a rally in Little Rock on Saturday, February 27th at Barton Coliseum. Even though the rally experienced a light turnout, many speakers got a chance to espouse their views. One of these speakers particularly stood out in my eyes.
Nikki Goeser had a unique story to tell, an especially heart-rending one. Her husband, the love of her life, Ben Goeser, was gunned down in early April of last year. It happened while she and Ben were setting up mobile karaoke equipment; she was forced to watch this unfold in front of her eyes, helplessly knowing her handgun was in her car in the parking lot. She had been disarmed by Tennessee law forbidding firearms in restaurants.
Here is a video of her telling a little of her story:
She told her story to the Tennessee state legislature in May of 2009 when they were debating HB962, the bill which would allow carry in restaurants which sold alcohol. She has also traveled the country, speaking to state rallies and other legislative committee meetings, such as this one in Ohio:
Since her husband was murdered, Tennessee legislators have passed HB962, allowing the carry of handguns in restaurants. This bill had a couple of hurdles to jump however, one being the veto of the bill by Governor Bredeson. The Tennessee legislature over-rode the veto, but a lawsuit seeking an injunction threatened to kill it. A judge then ruled the bill was constitutional, and it is now law.
Many heroes such as Nikki Goeser attended the Second Amendment March rally Saturday. Even though the attendance was low, the heroes were all there to fight the fight for you.
UPDATE: I reported the law was ruled constitutional; that's only part of the story. In November, 2009, the same judge, Claudia Bonnyman, ruled the new restaurant carry law was unconstitutionally vague. Nikki Goeser and others are still fighting the good fight to get new bills passed, however! Here is one bill by Senator Jackson:
And one by Senator Bunch:
Good luck to Nikki and the good people of Tennessee!
Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles have been published. Just click on the "Subscribe" button above.
More from Gun Rights Examiners
Atlanta: Ed Stone | Austin: Howard Nemerov | Boston: Ron Bokleman | Charlotte: Paul Valone | Cheyenne: Anthony Bouchard | Chicago: Don Gwinn | Cleveland: Daniel White | DC: Mike Stollenwerk | Denver: Dan Bidstrup | Fort Smith: Steve D. Jones | Grand Rapids: Skip Coryel | Knoxville: Liston Matthews | | Los Angeles: John Longenecker | Minneapolis: John Pierce | National: David Codrea | Phoenix: Douglas Little | Pittsburgh: Dan Campbell | Seattle: Dave Workman | St. Louis: Kurt Hofmann | Tucson: Chris Woodard | Wisconsin: Gene German
Comments
/Wish I had known. Mrs. Goeser has all my best wishes.
Her story was powerful; too bad more weren't there to hear it. She is a very courageous woman for standing up and telling of the tragedy that was thrust upon her by an evil man and an overreaching state legislature.
no one and no gun would have saved Ben...
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!