So, I wrote a letter to Rep. Todd

[Guest archerdr1]

I am taking out my last name, but this is a copy of the email I sent to Rep. Todd. Did I say anything that I maybe should not have? Just wanted to get some opinions.

Dear Rep. Todd,

My name is Darin ******. I am a citizen of Hamilton County and a Handgun Carry Permit holder. I want to take the opportunity to thank you for introducing HB0962. I do, however, have some concerns.

Rep. Brian Kelsey made an amendment that I feel would better support us. I want to explain to you why I am in agreement with this. On many occasions, I take my family out to eat. I have 3 good reasons for having a permit and carrying my weapon. Their names are Shaunna (spouse), Maverick(2 yr old), and Dylon (5 weeks old). Yes, I like the classic western movies. Many times we are coming in from out of town and it is late. If I am coming into town and it is after 11pm, this means that I have to disarm, leave my weapon in my car and risk the safety of my family, as well as risk my car being broken into and my weapon stolen.

The second thing is simply to ask you why. Why do you keep delaying this vote. You put it off until next Monday, then the next Monday. When will we actually see this vote actually take place. Every day that this vote is put off is another day that I have to wait to be able to protect my family from some criminal that wants to take advantage of the fact that I am unable by law to carry into a restaurant because they serve a drink that I am not going to partake of. I would like to respectfully ask you to please do everything in your power to see this vote actually take place.

Again, I thank you for your support of this bill and I ask you to think about the many people, like myself, that have reasons (one, two, or even five) to carry in a place that evil could be done to them. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Darin *****

[ttocswob]

+1 - Good letter.

[Farman]

Good job. Let us know if you get a response.

[RinTN]

"Did I say anything that I maybe should not have?"

I don't think so. With that said, I wonder about Kelsey's motivation to remove the 11 pm limitation. I don't know anything about the guy, so maybe I'm just paranoid. But, I have to wonder if removing it might decrease the chance the legislation ever becomes law.

[Guest MediaBuster]

Except although it's no more valid than our friend above's rationalization, my problem is even more logistically retarded..

I'm a musician.. I play a lot of Restaurants & clubs, & I don't drink at all anyway..

As it stands, I'm going to ave to make a special break time with my band in the middle of a set of music, & go put my gun away. As if the one or two thugs that sometimes show up at the clubs will go do the same thing out of courtesy just so all things will be fair & equal right?

Who the hell is the government to judge me like I'm a criminal after 11pm? This is ridiculous, & although I understand his concerns having seen a lot of bad things as a former Police officer, HE can still carry his gun ANYWHERE anytime.. I've done more time than some police do on the range, & some tactical pistol training as well. I also have an Armed security license.. How am I not qualified to carry a firearm after 11pm in a restaurant again??

[Punisher84]

"Did I say anything that I maybe should not have?"

I don't think so. With that said, I wonder about Kelsey's motivation to remove the 11 pm limitation. I don't know anything about the guy, so maybe I'm just paranoid. But, I have to wonder if removing it might decrease the chance the legislation ever becomes law.

Kelsey is a good guy. He's young and hotheaded which is why I like him. I think he just wants the bill to be a clean "You can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol."

Plus he HATES Speaker Williams.

[Fallguy]

Except although it's no more valid than our friend above's rationalization, my problem is even more logistically retarded..

I'm a musician.. I play a lot of Restaurants & clubs, & I don't drink at all anyway..

As it stands, I'm going to ave to make a special break time with my band in the middle of a set of music, & go put my gun away. As if the one or two thugs that sometimes show up at the clubs will go do the same thing out of courtesy just so all things will be fair & equal right?

Who the hell is the government to judge me like I'm a criminal after 11pm? This is ridiculous, & although I understand his concerns having seen a lot of bad things as a former Police officer, HE can still carry his gun ANYWHERE anytime.. I've done more time than some police do on the range, & some tactical pistol training as well. I also have an Armed security license.. How am I not qualified to carry a firearm after 11pm in a restaurant again??

I agree that there really should be no restrictions...just an addition to the current law that HCP holders are exempt.

But....aren't most of the places you'd be playing past 11 in already age restricted venuse and would be off-limits regardless of the curfew under this bill?

[Guest MediaBuster]

RinTn,

I'm not being sarcastic here, but how about this for motivation for Kelsey.. Hey Guys! There's lots of people in the club, & it is after 11pm.. If we see some peeps come out & put something in their car, & go back in, we should break into those cars & see if we can score our free handguns!

[Guest db99wj]

I sent an email to Todd last Thursday, then again yesterday, restating my first email, due to no response. I thanked him, but also asked similar questions. Still have not heard back.

[RinTN]

Kelsey is a good guy. He's young and hotheaded which is why I like him. I think he just wants the bill to be a clean "You can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol." ...

That's good to hear. I know that at times changes like this are suggested by those who actually want a bill to fail by pushing it from what's perceived as "middle" ground.

RinTn,

I'm not being sarcastic here, but how about this for motivation for Kelsey...

I can certainly see your point, though you are in a somewhat unique - and more challenging - position. And, I'd really like to see the law instituted without a cut off time.

With that said, I'd rather see the bill pass with an 11 pm cut off than fail without one.

[Punisher84]

That's good to hear. I know that at times changes like this are suggested by those who actually want a bill to fail by pushing it from what's perceived as "middle" ground.

I certainly understand that. If I didn't live just south of his district and know several people who know him I would maybe think the same. I think he is just like alot of us here. He wants a clean straight forward bill and the 11pm thing is just silly, but if that's what it takes to get it passed so be it I guess...

[Guest Seminole]

I don't know what is going on with Rep. Todd, but this is certainly disappointing. I understand that in 2005 he himself sponsored a clean bill without any sort of curfew or other limits.

For the last three years the Republican-controlled Senate has passed a restaurant carry bill with no restrictions, which is exactly what we want. Republicans in the House have repeatedly blamed Jimmy Naifeh for preventing restaurant carry and other expansions of handgun carry, but now that Naifeh is no longer speaker they can't seem to coordinate their efforts and do what they have said for years that they would. This is unacceptable. Though he doesn't represent my district, I am certainly going to contact Rep. Todd myself. I urge all of you to do the same. Tell him that we want restaurant carry, we want it this year, and we want it with no restrictions on time nor age-restricted venue. We voted Republicans into the majority and now we want them to actually carry out their promises.

Rep. Todd's e-mail is rep.curry.todd@capitol.tn.gov . His office telephone number is 615-741-1866.

[Guest archerdr1]

Good job. Let us know if you get a response.

so far I have heard nothing... if I don't hear back from him in a few days, I will write him again.

[Guest archerdr1]

I just sent a letter to Rep. Kelsey too. i thanked him for his stand and asked him to keep up the good work.

[analog_kidd]

To me, I think the bill with the 11:00 restriction would have a better chance of passing. I just think it sits better with the sheeple. I don't like the restriction, but it's still waaay better than what we've got now, and if no HCP holders do anything stupid, then we can ammend the law in a year or two.

[Guest db99wj]

To me, I think the bill with the 11:00 restriction would have a better chance of passing. I just think it sits better with the sheeple. I don't like the restriction, but it's still waaay better than what we've got now, and if no HCP holders do anything stupid, then we can ammend the law in a year or two.

I tend to agree, while I would prefer no restriction, if this is what it takes to get it passed, then so be it. I typically am not eating dinner after 11pm, and if I am out that late at a restaurant with bar, I am probably not going to be armed anyway.

But this is just me. As I mentioned, no restriction would be better.

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

I am really confused about the whole 11pm argument and I don't know why some legislators are against it. Since I have two jobs and a family, I am never out at restaurants at 11pm. Are there actually any places in TN that serve food after 11pm and also serve alcohol?

[Punisher84]

I am really confused about the whole 11pm argument and I don't know why some legislators are against it. Since I have two jobs and a family, I am never out at restaurants at 11pm. Are there actually any places in TN that serve food after 11pm and also serve alcohol?

Yea most restaurants stay open to 12 on fridays and saturdays. At least here in Memphis. Which is nice for me because sometimes I don't leave work on Saturday night until after 10.

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

Yea most restaurants stay open to 12 on fridays and saturdays. At least here in Memphis. Which is nice for me because sometimes I don't leave work on Saturday night until after 10.

Thanks for the clarification. I had no idea people ate food that late - not since I was in college anyway but that was back in the late 1800's of course.

[Punisher84]

Thanks for the clarification. I had no idea people ate food that late - not since I was in college anyway but that was back in the late 1800's of course.

LOL Yea I work 0600-1430 at one job, then go to my other job from 1500-2200 every Saturday. I'm ready to eat afterwards lol.

[Guest db99wj]

To add, most places aren't like this. Small towns across the state have these bars that are open late, and might serve some wings, or a hamburger, but for the most part are not restaurants. In the larger metro areas, there are people working 2nd into 3rd shifts that will eat out, after hours. Me not a big deal after 11pm. But for many on graveyard, could be a problem.

[Guest MediaBuster]

We're trying to reverse an unconstitutional law.. I don't feel that we should be "compromising" on our constitutional rights, just to get something half assed passed through..

[Punisher84]

We're trying to reverse an unconstitutional law.. I don't feel that we should be "compromising" on our constitutional rights, just to get something half assed passed through..

I agree, but I'd rather get this in there and then work to get the amendment overturned and taken off than still be left with nothing at all.

[Guest db99wj]

We're trying to reverse an unconstitutional law.. I don't feel that we should be "compromising" on our constitutional rights, just to get something half assed passed through..

Whether you agree or disagree, it is not a cut and dry world, especially in politics. You can argue until you are blue in the face that these restrictions shouldn't be there and I agree however, the reality of it is that they are there. These laws that are being presented are in fact, watered down, don't get us "all" what we should have, but they are a start as my tactical buddy Punisher said. Compromises have to be made in order to get things passed in government, business, marriages, etc. It is unfortunate, but it is true, it is the way the world works. If you think differently, you are going to be disappointed. And I want to say it again, it sucks, I wish it wasn't that way, but it is life.

[Guest HexHead]

I don't know what is going on with Rep. Todd, but this is certainly disappointing. I understand that in 2005 he himself sponsored a clean bill without any sort of curfew or other limits.

For the last three years the Republican-controlled Senate has passed a restaurant carry bill with no restrictions, which is exactly what we want. Republicans in the House have repeatedly blamed Jimmy Naifeh for preventing restaurant carry and other expansions of handgun carry, but now that Naifeh is no longer speaker they can't seem to coordinate their efforts and do what they have said for years that they would. This is unacceptable. Though he doesn't represent my district, I am certainly going to contact Rep. Todd myself. I urge all of you to do the same. Tell him that we want restaurant carry, we want it this year, and we want it with no restrictions on time nor age-restricted venue. We voted Republicans into the majority and now we want them to actually carry out their promises.

Rep. Todd's e-mail is rep.curry.todd@capitol.tn.gov . His office telephone number is 615-741-1866.

You idiots are going to make us end up with no bill this year. This seemed almost like a slam dunk with the 11pm curfew. But that wasn't good enough for you, so you've stirred up a hornets nest. Just get a damn restaurant bill passed, then when it's proven to not be as bad an idea as the media and the uninformed public thinks it is now, we can get it tweaked.

If this gets shot down this session, I'm not going to blame the stupid politicians, I'm going to blame you and a lot of others around here.