Worriedman

http://www.utm.edu/departments/univrel/newsitems4.php The observance will begin with a panel discussion on the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution beginning at 7 p.m., Sept. 14, in the Boling University Center Duncan Ballroom. The two panelists representing the National Rifle Association will be Glen Caroline and Kevin Teets. Representing the opposing side will be members of the Brady Campaign against Gun Violence, Paul Helmke and Adam Dread. Caroline serves as Director of the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division where he develops and implements the political and legislative grassroots programs for the NRA. Caroline has also served as a federal liaison for the NRA, where he lobbied nine congressional delegations. He has been an employee of the NRA since 1991. Teets is a 2006 graduate from UT Martin where he studied political science, public relations and news editorial journalism. Teets has since completed his masters in public administration and his jurist doctorate from Drake University. Teets has worked for two years as a licensed student prosecutor at the Polk County Attorney's Office in Iowa. He is a member of the National Rifle Association. Since July 2006, Helmke has served as president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation's largest national, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. Prior to working with the Brady Campaign, Helmke was a lawyer in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he served as mayor from 1988-2000. Dread is a partner in the law firm Durham & Dread, PLC, in Nashville, Tenn. Dread concentrates his practice in many areas including restaurant and liquor issues. He has represented most Tennessee plaintiffs in the Menu Pet Food recall, as well as the plaintiffs in the internationally covered “guns in bars” lawsuit. The movie, “Bowling for Columbine,” will be shown at 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, in Watkins Auditorium. After the movie, Student Government Association President Phillip Masengill and a panel of students will discuss the use of guns and violence that occur in the movie. For more information, contact Dr. Mike McCullough, American Democracy Project director, at 731-881-7325 or mcculou@utm.edu, or Dr. Heidi Huse, assistant professor of English, at 731-881-7280 or hhuse@utm.edu. Unless something changes drastically from now till then, my alma mater can expect no more money from me.

Anybody got a clue as to who the "NRA" people are? I smell a set up!

I am the Chapter Leader of the West TN Chapter of the TFA. There is no central control out of Nashville, enough of that coming out of Washington, thank you. I have received help, assistance and advise in response from John when I have asked for it, but have never been directed as to how to run my local chapter. Our chapter has decided to have as many candidates for office as speakers as we can, they get to state their positions, and are required to participate in a question and answer session as part of the program. At our first meeting we had 65 attendees, and it has defiantly garnered some interest from the local pols.

Did not see anything in there about requesting reports of campaign contributions to congresscritters??

There lies the rub, insurance for a "bar" is far more expensive than it is for a restaurant. That has been the "good 'ol boy" agreement for years with regard to the ABC, don't ask, don't tell, if you say you are a restaurant, we believe you. If they do not conduct a "food audit" no one suffers. Without a complaint, no audit! Establishments in TN that want to take on "Bar" status should be able to, just pony up the money, and the corresponding liability for impaired drivers they create, along with the much greater risk of violence within their establishments. Try getting a "Bar" license in a small town, hard liqueur by the drink as an intended business, no food? Yeah right!

What is the term of appointees to the TWRA Commission? Will there be an opportunity for a change in makeup of the commission with the ascension of a new Governor?

Thanks. I try to stay reasoned, and use the law. Do my best to keep emotion out of the equation.

Toss that hat in the ring then, you sound like the kind of person we need in the leadership post!

We need Constitutionally minded servants of the People. Know that your whole life will be bought to view before the electorate, but if you decide to run, God speed and good luck!

Guns-in-bars law serves special interest, not the will of people | tennessean.com | The Tennessean I sent a compilation of this so called "card carrying NRA member" actions and public statements to the ILA, with the suggestion that they rescind his membership, (if it ever truly existed). He is Randy Rayburn's good friend and is co-council for the law suit in Chancery Court in Nashville.

From the Alcoholic Beverage Commission Audit 1998: "State law allows restaurants to sell wine and other alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises if the licensee has adequate kitchen equipment for serving meals, provides seating for at least 75 people at tables, and serves food as its “principal business.â€" "The notice contains the commission’s interpretation of Section 57-4-101: The principal business of an establishment deriving 50 percent or more of its gross revenues from serving meals will be considered a full-service restaurant." BASIC RESTAURANT REQUIREMENTS (T.C.A. 57-4-102(19)(A)) 1.A public place kept, used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public as a place where meals are served and where meals are actually and regularly served. 2. Without sleeping accommodations. 3. Supplied with adequate and sanitary kitchen and dining room equipment. 4. Seating capacity of at least seventy-five (75) at tables. 5. Employing a sufficient number and kind of employees to prepare, cook and serve suitable food. 6. Serve at least one (1) meal a day at least four (4) days a week. 7. Serving of meals shall be the principal business conducted http://www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/repository/SA/pa97092.pdf These rules and requirements have not been changed by the Legislature since 1998. Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Any establishment that serves beverages with alcohol content over 5% MUST meet these criteria. I will complete a perusal of "beer" commission requirements, but those are handled by County,or City entities, and are not regulated by the State.

The fact that a criminal MAY decide to chose another venue due to the fact that he could not anticipate which of the individuals present in a non-posted area MIGHT be armed, (concealed carry) and hence ready to provide defense against an assault or robbery, would in fact help to prevent crime by it's presenting that possibility. How could they know if the soccer mom has a heater in the handbag? Any one of the flock of sheep might be a sheepdog in disguise, IF they are allowed to carry.

The same folks that rushed to vote this time, can bring it back up at any time. If you can raise awareness, and get the shooting community involved, you can have them reconsider their actions. There is nothing in the State law that says anything about it not being able to be reconsidered. If you get enough folks interested, and make the Council aware that failure to act differently will simply mean the new Council members elected in the next poll will do so, they will change their tune, and the local law!

Except for Private Clubs, there are no "bars" in TN, if they have a liqueur license or beer permit, they must be a Restaurant, and derive 50%+ of their total revenue from food, or they are subject to fines and closure, that is the law.

Sounds like they let commons sense be their guide. Excellent news!

Welcome, and thank you for your service! Not sure of the status of your process to gain your HCP. If you have not found an instructor yet to work with you, the guys at The Tennessee Sports Foundation, (Jackson local range) are great. Have several instructors, and will work with anyone who is desirous of receiving the training necessary to gain their permit.

I second the thoughts of TGO David, with one caveat, we each need to support all the organizations that work for our Rights. If the Girl Scouts start selling 2nd Amendment Cookies, I am going to set up a booth! As evidenced by the recent move to legalize carry in Federal Parks, and in State Parks, our Local government can deny a Right that is guaranteed by the Constitution, only to have the Local Yokels steal them. The NRA is the premier lobbying group on the National level. I have been a Life Member since I turned 18. I have been through the ups and downs of the organization, but day in and out, they are standing up for your Rights. They have taken on some marketing techniques that aggravate me, but in the long run, they are the bulwark of our National defense against the grabbers. Are they perfect, no, but then neither am I. One effect of being an active member is to have a voice in the way things are done, just as in support of, (or at least working against) a Local, State and Federal candidate, you have no fight to fuss if you are not involved, and voting.

Your Tax Dollars at work! I am surprised no one is asking question realtive to this staute? Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-403, "Official oppression," a public servant acting in an official capacity who intentionally arrests, detains, frisks, etc., or intentionally prevents another from enjoying a right or privilege commits a Class E felony. http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=tncode The local attorney general or city attorney has a legal "duty" to investigate a written allegation that an officer has been guilty of any of the mentioned offenses. If he or she finds that "there is reasonable cause for such complaint, he shall forthwith institute proceedings in the Circuit, Chancery, or Criminal Court of the proper county." However, with respect to the city attorney, there may be an irreconcilable conflict between that duty and the city attorney's duties to the city, the mayor, and the rules of professional responsibility governing attorneys. Also, an attorney general or city attorney may act on his or her own initiative without a formal complaint (T.C.A. § 8-47-101-102). The officer must be removed from office if found guilty (T.C.A. § 8-47-120). As pubilcally funded employees of the State of Tennessee, these people should not be setting policy. "Established in 1949 by the Tennessee General Assembly, MTAS is funded by a direct state appropriation and a portion of the local share of the statewide sales tax. Almost all of MTAS's services are prepaid; the cities we serve don't get a bill. As the name implies, MTAS is a technical assistance provider with consultants who specialize in most areas of municipal operations. MTAS annually completes more than 1,000 major municipal management projects and provides an average of 6,000 other services each year." MTAS Home http://www.mtas.utk.edu/KnowledgeBase.nsf//0/5318EF0CEF33E412852575DD00577DAE?OpenDocument

We had 65 people in attendance, from a broad spectrum of Cities and Counties across West TN. We will offer this forum to each of the candidates. It was pointed out, that in the last gubernatorial election slightly more than 621,000 Citizens cast votes, and that currently there are over 240,000 HCP Holders. If we get off our hinney's and get involved, we are a force to be reckoned with. If by some miracle, we could get the other groups of gun owners interested prior to them losing their ability to Keep and Bear Arms, the deer, duck, dove, squirrel and rabbit hunters, skeet and trap shooters, IDPA shooters, we COULD command the voting process in TN. All it would take is labor and dedication. If we allow sloth and apathy to continue to rule instead.... You get the Government you deserve!

The City of Medina’s Board of Aldermen voted 3-1 this evening (Friday, August 07, 2009) to deny their Citizens the Right to Carry in it’s controlled property (same list of venues that every other Municipality which has received the "workup" from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service, with the exact same wording we have seen in other Cities, Public Municipal Parks, Natural Areas, Historic Parks, Nature Trails, Campgrounds, Forest, Greenways,Waterways, or other similar places). Frank Baker, Wayne Sheehan, and Cathy Parrett voted to sustain the MTAS (there is that name again) sponsored Resolution denying their Rights under HB 0716 (Parks Carry). Alderman Terry Shelton was singular in his support of the Constitutional Rights of his constituents. Only one other person beside me spoke against the Resolution. The meeting was reset from it’s normal Monday night schedule due to till health of the Mayor, and was held at 5:30 Friday afternoon. The general basis of support for the banning from the Alderman was voiced by Wayne Sheehan, that school use of the Parks precluded the Right to Carry. He said that the Parks in Medina were basically the same as schools, due to their use by students. I left him with a print out of my Op-Ed piece which points out the fallacies of not trusting HCP Holders to obey the law. He commented that till the law was changed, he would continue to support restricting the Constitutional Rights of HCP Holders. I fail to see how School use of areas other than ball fields, (which was the gist of Mr. Sheehan's argument) is rational. I have lived in the area, (presently one county south of Gibson County) and have had children in these school systems, and have never been appraised of the use of a waterway, greenway, nature trail or forest by a school for a function. I have no idea what a "similar place" is. I suspect that the City of Median has no clue either, but simply parroted the MTAS stance. In the twelve years I attended school in Gibson County and the years I taught there, I was never part of an outing to anything other than a City Park, and that for base ball games only.

It seems that the Ruling Juntas are going full blast to deny Rights. If it appears that enough citizens are getting interested, find a way to circumvent their input, and of course, this must all be done behind closed doors, no need in letting the taxpayers have a say. Or take the tack that Trenton's City Council did, have a quick vote, defeat the MTAS fostered Resolution, circle the wagons and have a re-do, without publication of the upcoming issue. Or Lexington, just flat out state that the Council decided to go with the MTAS "workup" and the first any one hears of the issue is a notice in the local paper that "guns" have been banned in Parks. Where is the accountability to the public? What happened to Government of the people, by the People and For the People. My throat is getting sore from having issues shoved down them by the elected few, without regard to the wishes, wants or desires of the majority. Of course, how can we expect them to act differently, when they see our Federal Representatives, like John Tanner, refuse to get in front of the People for a redress of their grievances, no Town Hall Meetings for him, decide what is best for the community and vote the party's command, without facing the music for towing Peolsi's line. If we continue to sit dead on our hinney's this is what we can expect. Without our righteous indignation thrown mightily in their faces, we simply condone the atmosphere of rule by the few with no concern for the governed. Apathy on the part of the People will only foster more of this, by our silence we enable the elite to decide for us what is "best". Woe to us if the State of Tennessee is ever called upon again to furnish Citizens to stand and protect our goods and lives as was called for in 1812, when we earned the name "Volunteer State". Those Men were not Regular Army, they were average Citizens, answering the call for the Common Defense of neighborhoods and family. We will be stripped of the tools necessary to provide that protection. Am I alone in hearing the lamentations of our Founders at what we are allowing this Great Nation to become? Standing mute while the Rights and Protections of the Constitution are eroded, those so dearly bought and paid for by blood and treasure spent on our behalf? You get the Government you deserve!

It is becoming more and more apparent, some City Councils are not concerned about any of the Amendments. They are acting on MTAS write-ups behind closed doors, excluding our right to be heard, or to petition our "Governments" for grievances. In several towns in TN, the first any one hears of the Parks issue is an announcement in the local paper that the deed is done. Like in Lexington:

Reminder that the guest for the meeting on Tuesday the 4th of August is Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, candidate for the Governors seat in 2010. The Lt. Gov. will make a statement, questions will be entertained afterwords. Also attending will be our good friend and fellow 2nd Amendment supporter Bob Cole. Coming down with Bob to show support for our cause will be Nikki Goeser. Meal and social time begins at 5:30 PM, program starts at 7:00 PM.

Notice, that the TSSAA retracted their statement about the Spring Fling situation in Murfreesboro, they originally threatened to pull the event from that location unless the local governing authority "opted out". I am not a lawyer, but I can read, and the T.C.A. clearly states that if a "public servant" attempts to deny a Right, they are in violation of the law. The ability to "opt out" is given to City and County Governing bodies, not advisory boards. Members can give all the opinions they want as private citizens, but not in the performance of their "official duties".

Or, the parking lot of Posted restaurant!