Tennessee veto about control, not guns and alcohol

June 2, 12:46 PMGun Rights ExaminerDavid Codrea

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NRA is feeling betrayed. Another one of their endorsed politicians has broken his vows. (Guys, guys, guys...)

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen vetoed a bill that would allow concealed carry permit holders to retain their firearms in establishments that serve alcohol.

“The notion that this bill would permit one to carry a concealed weapon into a crowded bar at midnight on a Saturday night defies common sense, and I cannot sign such a measure into law,” Gov. Bredesen said.

This despite a weasel-worded campaign pledge to support "such a measure".

Yes, I would support such legislation. (I would support any such measures as long as they contained provisions to adequately protect the safety of the public.)

Jeez, it's not like you couldn't drive a beer truck through that hole.

There is a lot of confusion over what the bill would do, and much of that is intentional. Opponents want to portray it as an invitation for drunken maniacs to open fire in saloons. Proponents point out that many family restaurants serve beer and wine, and those dining there should not have their defenselessness dictated to them by a state that has neither the capability nor the legal obligation to protect them.

Perhaps we should look at the bill summary:

As introduced, allows person with handgun carry permit to carry in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages as long as such person is not consuming alcoholic beverages and such restaurant is not an age-restricted venue.

That's it. Any abuse of these clear conditions is a violation of the law. Which makes you wonder why those opposing it resort to such...well, since we're dealing with a man of the cloth in this example, I'll say "misrepresentations":

“When you put a gun in the hand of someone who is under the influence of alcohol, you’re really mixing a bloody cocktail,” said the Rev. Robert Hogan, East Tennessee Baptist Association moderator and interim director of missions...

“The religious right doesn’t condone violence. You’re not courting us by giving the possibility of more violence and bloodshed.”

Read the bill Robert. And explain why doing things your way doesn't allow for "the possibility of more violence and bloodshed":

My husband was gunned down on April 2 right in front of me at Jonny's Sports Bar on Nolensville Road here in Nashville. There is a very important bill that has passed the House and Senate called the Restaurant Carry Bill....

I support this bill.

I am a permitted gun owner here in the state of Tennessee. If I could have been allowed to carry my gun that night, perhaps I could have saved my wonderful husband...

Still, the theme that "guns and alcohol don't mix" has been exploited by, among others, "police officials." Yet when the Tennessee Firearms Association asked its members to help identify who these officials were "to compile information members can use to question local officials about the officers' foray into public policy or whether to vote in the future for elected officials who support the veto," the opposition did what people who want to see you disarmed usually do--they started screaming and calling names:

Gun Freaks Acting Like Schoolyard Bullies

The hysterical convolutions in the minds of state-worshipers are truly amazing. I guess that's one way to describe citizens who wish to know which public officials advocate denying them their rights so they can take measures to lawfully protect their rights.

But don't make the mistake of thinking that just because some politically motivated police appointees find it career-enhancing to oppose citizen self defense that it's universally supported by all cops. While it's true there is an exemption for "Anyone in the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer" this does not extend to off-duty officers. Per the Tennessee Attorney General:

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1305(c)(1) grants an exception to persons who are "in the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer...." (FN2) This exception does not generally permit off duty officers to carry weapon on such premises.

While I've never been a proponent of "Only One" exclusivity, think what that means: An off-duty cop will be just as helpless at responding to a threat from someone who does not obey the rules as anyone else.

That's really what this...uh...distills down to. All the talking, all the legalese, all the photo ops and all the political maneuvering notwithstanding, not one thing proposed by the citizen disarmament clique will do anything to stop a bad guy from being bad. What it will do is ensure that at least the "law-abiding" at mandated locations will be defenseless.

And the argument that guns and alcohol don't mix? As I type this I have access to both. There is literally nothing stopping me from getting up right now and draining a bottle of single malt and loading up the M1 Garand. Nothing except the fact that I'm a responsible and self-controlling human being, and deserve-- under the law --to be treated that way until I prove myself untrustworthy. As do millions of gun owners who may also have adult beverages on their premises. If we're too dangerous to be entrusted with the combination in restaurants, what makes people think we can be entrusted in our homes?

Of course, we know that for some, that's what it's all about.

But back to the bill. It ain't over 'til it's over. Look for a veto override effort.