macville

In his emails to me (at least whoever is writing them if he's not) he's been pretty clear that he would not support opting-out. So there is hope. I can promise you whatever the case is tonight, it'll be a very close vote. I'll be there with my wife and I hope others will show up. It's a little more publicized this time thanks to the crappy News-Sentinel, so there may actually be some anti's there. Matthew

I would like to point out that these two scenarios sound much like the "if we allow guns with alcohol, everyone will go crazy shooting" and "guns in our parks will have people shooting refs/coaches/parents at every game!" arguments. I have yet to see any news reports from across the country where either one of these scenarios have happened. I have see people talking about how they feel a crime wasn't committed because the would be criminal saw the gun and thought twice. I'm not saying that might not happen, but it seems that most criminals are not only stupid, but tend to avoid people who can defend themselves as they don't want a fair fight. Matthew

Evidently the trainer needs to be the one taking the pysc test as that is not a requirement. This is what's most frustrating. Even the people who are teaching the class can't get the law right. Matthew

Someone mention tort reform earlier as a way to decrease health care costs. I think I have a simple way to decrease lawsuits... Allow lawyers to get no more than 5% of any awarded amount. Heck, if we did that on ALL lawsuits, I would think that the amount of lawsuits would go down quite a bit. Not to mention that people who actually do the suing get the money they deserve. Matthew

The thing is with this health care INSURANCE "reform" is all we will do is trade one big company for one big gov. At least with the one big company we can sue them and have a decent chance of winning. How many times do you see the Fed Gov losing big lawsuits? Not much... Matthew

What kind of shootings? Murder or SD? I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't try to paint SD shootings as murders by just saying 2 shootings in the Memphis area by HCP holders. I knew there were two shootings there last year, but I didn't think either was at a restaurant. Matthew

Okay, so here's the latest news. They have canceled the meeting on the 20th where they were to hear arguments from both sides. Why? Because as it stands right now, there was a grandfathered law that says you already can't carry. However, there is also some good news. If on the 25th they do not op-out of the parks law, then only the local law applies. So yes, you will not be able to carry, but it's not a state law where you could lose your permit if you carried. In fact, all it is a $50 fine. Yep. $50--cheaper than running a red light. There is hope right now that they will not pass the the op-out and also that they will strike down the other old law. I believe Knoxville is the key to getting other cities to stop opting out (well, besides having the house next session just rewrite the law so they can not op-out.) Matthew

Ummm, it sounds like you are confusing Britain with America. See, here we believe that "All men are born free and equal." Just because another American has been given a job with a bit more power than you DOES NOT make him special. I'm sorry but the president CAN be replaced. He's just another man like you or me. Yes, I don't want the president to be killed, but he (or any) are not some supernatural being that cannot be replaced. That's one of the reasons the founding fathers didn't did royalty here in the new country-they knew that everyone was equal. Matthew

Sounds like some mental issues. Also, when he had threatened the bank before, shouldn't have the police been called then? Matthew

I'm glad the guy had the balls to stand there protesting with firearm. It communicates very clearly, if you attack me I will be able to defend myself. Just because the president is going to be there later doesn't mean you give up all your rights. Maybe if he went into a secure room, I can see not being able to carry (it was in a high school anyway right? so no carry inside anyhow.) What I really find funny is the guys in the first clip getting there panties in a bunch over THE *GASP!* GUN. Do they really think if a guy was going to shoot the president he would OPEN CARRY the firearm? That's like standing in the crowed holding up a sign saying, "I'm going to shoot the president when he drives by." I CANNOT believe the total lack of brains of people in the media and people in general. Heck, I even saw somewhere today that the guy was carrying an AK-47--not a handgun like he was. That was a big pile of crap. Matthew

Yes, it does sound like at the start private companies will be underwriting the policies. But they will get thrown out of the picture sooner than they think most likely. It's like sucking up to a bad guy before you get killed. Just stupid. Plus, for us, it will mean TWO people telling us we can't have healthcare. The insurance company and the government. At least with just the insurance company in control you can sue them and have the government force them to do the right thing. Now, if the government controls things, who is going to make the gov do the right thing? Last time I checked most lawsuits against the gov were not successful... Although, I just want to say that I have not seen the insurance companies to be so evil like people make them out to be. Most people have clauses in their contracts that legally allow the companies to drop them, refuse to pay for certain things, etc. Then, when they get dropped they act like they were never told any of this stuff--even though it was right there in their contract. It's kinda like buying cheap crap made in China. You wonder why it broke so quickly, forgetting that you were not willing to pay for quality stuff that lasts. BTW, here's a site that shows some of the "misinformation" that Comrad Obama says is untrue in HR3200. Kansas City Branch of the Americans For Fair Taxation Matthew

When you tell me to stop exercising my 2d amendment rights, I am going to tell you to stop exercising your 1st amendment rights. So shut up. Matthew

Your statement doesn't really make any sense. If someone attacks you it's not about protecting property, it's about self defense. Property would not come up in the issue because they attacked you, it just so happens that they were breaking into your car first. BTW, I wonder if you could shoot someone on your property if you found them breaking in/stealing something if it might not lower the crime rate? (and trespassing would not count as enough, otherwise I could have shot the tree trimmers the other day) Not to mention that it would probably lower the burden on the justice system! Matthew

I thought the law changed this year for home protection and that you could now shoot someone to protect your property--IF you are on your own property? If it did not change, isn't that the law in some other states though? If people think tax law is confusing, they should look at gun laws! Matthew

What are some ideas that would actually reform (aka: make the service better/cheaper) healthcare? The current plan isn't healthcare reform or even healthcare insurance reform (it's more about insurance than healthcare really). Here's one idea I've had to at least make it better for people to get affordable insurance. If you don't have a employer provided health insurance (not that they pay all or any of it, just group insurance), then it costs a lot more to buy insurance on your own. I know because me and my wife own our own company and are the only employees of the company. Therefore, we can not get group insurance for our company because we are too small. However, if companies were not allowed to even provide group insurance (they could still pay for it if they wanted to, but that extra would be in your pay check each month to cover your costs) then you would shop for your own insurance. That way insurance companies have to be more competitive because they can't just go for big group accounts any more. Each person counts as a customer. Another question is...why is health insurance so costly? The insurance companies are not making THAT big of a profit. When was the last time you heard any of them having a record quarter like the oil companies? Healthcare costs an arm and a leg. Just dealing with paying my grandfather's bills recently proved that to me. But why? The main reason I have been told it costs so much is that there are sooo many people who simply don't pay their bills. They don't have insurance and don't pay their bills. So in essence, we already have a welfare type system that's being paid through higher healthcare costs. Of course, lawsuits don't help either! Simply put, healthcare and insurance needs to be reformed. However, switching to a single payer system won't work. If you think the post office is bleeding money right now, wait until you see the government healthcare plan! Matthew

Because that only applies to when it's a SCHOOL function/game. Most games at public parks are rec leagues and not sponsored by any school. Matthew

What are you talking about? We seem to be right about everything that's coming out about the crappy healthcare plan. The left keeps saying that healthcare won't fun abortion, but yet it's still in there (Gov't insurance would allow coverage for abortion - Yahoo! Asia News ) Obama also says you can keep your doctor, but if he drops you, or your insurance drops you, then your stuck using the gov plan and chosen doc. Yeah, he's not directly forcing you to change, but he is. Matthew

I love how they are always talking about kids sports games. But of how many hours in a week that a park is open, how many hours are there actually kids games going on?! Let alone that you can not find a story where a parent pulls a gun and shoots a coach/ref at a kids games--and there are plenty of states which allow carry in local parks. Matthew

Or you can be like me and have a wife who took the class with me. Now all but the last one is 2x! Matthew

Yeah, something like $60-$75 of the $115 is for the fingerprints. I saw the number of what that cost was some where on my paperwork. Matthew

Hey guys, is there a clearing house for gun related stats and information-like how many states allow carry in state parks/local parks/restaurant which serve booze/etc? It would be great if there was some place for that. Like right now I am trying to find how many states allow carry in local parks. Matthew

Too much. Since it's a right, the state should offer free classes and do the background check for free also. It's not a privileged like a drivers license. But yeah, $115 is the price. I was able to put it on my credit card here at the West Knox drivers station. Matthew

Okay, this just got more interesting. Here is an email I just got from Mayor Haslam's office (which incidentally, I have been VERY impressed that his office keeps emailing me to keep me informed about what's happening with this issue) ------ Mr. Rogers, I am writing to keep you in the loop regarding the guns in parks issue. When I last corresponded with you Knoxville City Council had postponed a vote on exercising the "opt out" provisions of the law passed during the last legislative session. This provision allowed those with legal permits to carry in city parks. The resolution addressing this matter was scheduled for a vote at the August 25th City Council meeting and a workshop was set for August 20th. However, in reviewing the law and related documents the City Council Attorney and the City Law Director have concluded that the city ordinance that outlaws firearms would remain in effect regardless of any council action because the provisions of the newly enacted state law "shall not affect the validity of any ordinance or resolution lawfully enacted prior to April 8, 1986." The Knoxville city ordinance outlawing firearms in parks was passed well before that date. A Council workshop is scheduled for August 20th at 5PM to hear from citizens and to discuss this matter. Thank you for your support of the second amendment and your interest in the guns and parks issue in Knoxville. I am committed to upholding our second amendment rights. ------------- So now, we have to convince the City Counsel to drop the old law and to allow the new law. I am correct in saying that this law is only for the city and not the county, correct? Matthew

Saw this in the paper this morning (Knox parks advisers recommend opting out of carry law Knoxville News Sentinel ) Knox parks advisers recommend opting out of carry law By Rebecca Ferrar People would be banned from carrying permitted guns in all of the county's 42 parks under a recommendation approved Monday by the Knox County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The board advises the mayor, who in turn will make a recommendation to the County Commission, probably for that panel's September meeting. Seventeen members of the board voted to adopt the restriction, and one member, Steven Waller, abstained from the vote. Board member Laura Tappan, who made the motion to approve the measure, said the board does not need to wait to see what the city of Knoxville does but instead needs to act now. The Knoxville City Council last week delayed the vote until its Aug. 25 meeting. "We didn't need to wait on the city. We needed to take a stand," Tappan said. "I don't think guns are needed anywhere we have children and families recreating. It could create chaos." She said there are times when parents, coaches and referees "get into heated arguments. If you have guns handy, what's to prevent anyone from pulling their gun?" During the last legislative session, the General Assembly approved a bill to allow people with gun permits to carry guns in local, state and national parks. The law has a provision allowing counties and municipalities to opt out of the bill. "In my opinion, guns don't need to be anywhere where kids are," board member Steven Clabough said before the vote. "I can't see it." Frank Shanklin Jr., another board member, said, "We need to vote that we don't have guns in parks at all." Marty Bradley agreed, and said, "I can see no good from having someone armed at a sporting event - right there in a crowd of kids. I'm pretty much in favor of a ban. We need to send a message." Paul James, the board's chairman, said, "Guns and families do not go together. We want to promote a very healthy environment." Doug Bataille, director of the county's Parks and Recreation Department, said that so far Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga have passed bans on guns in parks, 23 cities and counties have passed resolutions banning guns, 30 are working on resolutions, and 10 have failed to pass resolutions. "I think with everyone that I talked to, we all agree that the issue of having (the ban) in sports parks for kids was a good idea," said Bataille. The Knox County ban would also apply to the county's seven greenways. Bataille said some had questioned whether the ban should also apply to greenways, but he said the greenways are "very intermingled with the school system and library system. It made sense to have one blanket system." Waller, meanwhile, urged caution before the vote. "We need to be very cautious and err on the side of being very conservative by allowing people to have guns in urban parks where there is potentially already a gun," he said. -------------------- Here's my notes on this article. First, the writer didn't do her research because she would know that the state assembly didn't have anything to do with allowing carry in the National Parks. In fact, even if they hadn't passed the carry in parks law, the NP's wouldn't be off limits because the law only said you couldn't carry in State and local parks! Once again people brought up a whole bunch of emotional arguments that are not based on any cases that have happened in the US. Please find a case where a coach/ref/parent was shot by another person at a game... Could someone post how many states allow carry in local parks? One interesting point though. The article said it wouldn't probably be brought up until September's CC meeting. That meeting is the 28th of Sept. Interesting that if that happens, carry would be legal in parks for 28 days until they ban it. Maybe that might help to show that it's not going to be the wild west. Lastly, don't you love how the writer has plenty of anti views, but only one possible pro carry view????! Not to mention that KNS had it top front page in big letters. What view do you think they are taking... Matthew

Yes, but did you vote for Obama/McCain and then select a different button for Biden/Palin? To me it comes as a package deal. Of course, you are correct that the electors can vote that way. Therefore, I guess it would apply since my vote is not directly for a person, but instead implies who I would like for my electors to pick. Matthew