It appears Gov. Bredesen has vetoed the restaurant carry bill. It is sad to see how the wedge is driven even deeper between general civilians and the ever increasingly para-military police. At a time when armed civilians and their sworn peace officers should stand together to show strength in the numbers, the bait is taken. To stand as to almost say that it would be better if only we, the State sanctioned officer, were armed. What a travesty. Officers should consider a legally armed citizen as a potential ally, but the passing of bills granting officers protection to carry in and out of uniform on and off duty have eroded any reason for them to stand with a legally armed citizen. This is just one more step is proposing that only officers of the State should be armed all the time. It is not protection for the citizenry they wish to considered, but protection from the citizenry.
Now is the time to pour the heat on Nashville. Gov. Bredesen wants the Congress to "...rethink the issue." I say great. There are plenty of TN state Dems that carry or are from districts with high carry rates. They must now be reminded that voting party line will not aid them come time for re-election. They must be convinced to vote with the will of their constituents. If that means casting a vote to over turn the veto, then I say let the voice of the people be heard.
To much time was spent pasting a picture of an individual bellied up to a bar drink in one hand and a gun on his/her hip. We the people wish to dine in comfort knowing that we could, if necessary, protect ourselves. Too many court cases already prevent us from forcing the police into action or suing for inaction. But now they even want to curtail our own ability of defense.

I would wish this divide between LEO and CCW could wither, but I see it increasing as more of the rank and file become entrenched into this polarizing thought pattern. Why should our elected Chief of Police and District Attornies stand at our sides in this struggle to protect our rights from infringement, they have had their rights of protection shielded from infringement. What more has an off duty officer to fear than a law abiding citizen? A mugger could assail a District Attorney or a single mother leaving a restaurant at night equally well. Drawing that line denies the one while exalting the other. Is one life greater than the other? Crime cannot be legislated away. I'll want to repeat that again; crime can not be legislated away. Legislation only gives the law abiding individual direction. By their very nature criminals will not abide the law. More restrictions only directs the criminal to easier targets.

One more thing before I jump down. It was my understanding that if you carry, you can't drink. Why again am I being placed at risk because what actions someone else may take. At what point are we to stand and say I am responsible for my actions, and you are to account for yours.

Thanks to everyone for your time and your action.

I would not count rest carry out yet. Many of the both of thouse and the senate have sais that it they will vote to overturn the veto. I have seen emails form at least 2 that have vowed to vote against bredeson. Also there is a huge movemment to identify the elected and appoint officials that lobbied to oppose teh will of teh people. so many people in fact that it has the Nashville chief saying that he is concerend about back lash of police chiefs showing up to support bredeson.

We will get it through.

From what I understand from TFA both the house and the Senate will vote to overide the veto on Wed. If it passes it will become effective as soon as both speakers get the final version passed. It is normal for this to take a day or so. In theory we could be toten in the local tex/mex place on friday night. I think I will carry open when I go in and get some fajitas.

Keep your fingers crossed. Next year maybe you guys can get it so you can have a beer with dinner if you want.

For once, I wouldn't even count this vetoed bill out.

I too have heard back from my guys, both are not giving up and will go for a veto over-ride or if necessary a rewrite to match more closely the adjoining state laws.

Every representative I have except President Obama know me by name.

My days of being the silent majority ended in 1994.

Tj


BTW, I said the for once because I followed up the parks bill last time it was killed by a promised Bredesen Veto. The legislature didn't have enough support that time for an override. That's why its set in committee until now.

I know the house is going to vote on Wed have you heard for sure that the senate is? I thought I saw it walla go but now can not find it. I know they have filed to over ride it but dont know when the vote will be.

Don't be so sure. I heard you're on the list.

They didn't say but the most detailed reply I got was from my Senator.

The way it read was try the over-ride then re-write it if necessary. I didn't get the impression it was going on the shelf at all like the parks bill did last time.

Tj

Probably so. Kind of worries me, but not like you would think. If he reads my file and they ask around, then he'd know if I swore to take a bullet for him I would. Knowing him, he'd take me up on it, wait for that day, and put me out front.

I feel more confident in the voice of the people on this one. I heard back from my Rep. who seemed equal sure with this response to my question of our next step,
"We will over ride him. Probably Tuesday or Wednesday. I have not heard of anyone changing position."
Short, but to the point. I am saddened that my Chief was front and center in the picture that I saw. His lack of trust in his law abiding citizens is troubling. I just re-read a great article published in the 2008 May/June issue of Concealed Carry Magazine entitled "CONCEALED CARRY SAVES LIVES" by ROBERT G. HEINRITZ, JR., J.D. I'm tempted to request permission to reproduce it and send it to Bredesen and my Chief of Police.

This post has been edited by ntranced: June 2nd 2009 11:07 PM