GOA Alert - Tennesseans, Head-Ups

[Guest oldfella]

Help Tennessee Throw off Unconstitutional Gun Control!

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert

8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151

Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408

http://www.gunowners.org

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Great news from Nashville!

No, this is not a report on a new song or album. Rather, there is

legislation that is moving in the state legislature that could roll

back the Congressional gun control laws that have been passed for

several decades.

That's right. State Rep. Ben West ® and Sen. Mae Beavers ® have

introduced the Firearms Freedom Act to repeal many federal gun control

laws in the state.

You may have heard about the big splash that Montana recently made when

they enacted a similar law which basically states that if a gun is

manufactured in that state -- and the firearm stays in the state -- it

is exempt from several federal gun control laws.

Tennessee could become the first state to follow in their footsteps.

In that vein, HB 1796 and SB 1610 would require that guns manufactured

in the state be stamped with the words, "Made in Tennessee."

This legislation states that, "A personal firearm, a firearm

accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately

in Tennessee and that remains within the borders of Tennessee is not

subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration,

under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce. It is

declared by the legislature that those items have not traveled in

interstate commerce."

With President Obama talking about resurrecting the so-called Assault

Weapons ban which expired in 2004, these bills could ensure that

Tennessee residents could still buy semi-automatic firearms and

magazines that are made in the Volunteer State.

ACTION: Please urge your state representative and senator to vote for

HB 1796 and SB 1610. Both bills passed out of their initial committees

this month and should be on the floor of each house by next week.

To identify and contact your legislators, go to

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us and input your address in the box

provided. The results page will return contact info, to include e-mail

addresses. You can then copy and paste the letters below into e-mail

messages.

----- Pre-written letter for Representatives -----

Dear Representative:

Please vote for HB 1796, the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act. This bill

essentially states that if a gun is manufactured in the state -- and

the firearm stays in the state -- it is exempt from federal gun control

laws. This bill is virtually identical to the law that was recently

passed in Montana.

This is one of the most important bills that you will vote on this

year. The Tennessee legislature might very well pass a Tenth Amendment

resolution before it adjourns in June, but HB 1796 is more than just a

resolution -- it is a bill that has teeth!

It's time that we sent a message to the U.S. Congress and tell them to

start legislating within the authority given it by the Constitution.

Please help continue the movement that began in Montana.

Sincerely,

----- Pre-written letter for Senators -----

Dear Senator:

Please vote for SB 1610, the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act. This bill

essentially states that if a gun is manufactured in the state -- and

the firearm stays in the state -- it is exempt from federal gun control

laws. This bill is virtually identical to the law that was recently

passed in Montana.

This is one of the most important bills that you will vote on this

year. While the Tennessee Senate recently passed a Tenth Amendment

resolution, SB 1610 is more than just a resolution -- it is a bill that

has teeth!

It's time that we sent a message to the U.S. Congress and tell them to

start legislating within the authority given it by the Constitution.

Please help continue the movement that began in Montana.

Sincerely,

[Guest ScottD]

Emails sent.

[Guest colombianito1021]

sent.

[Billco]

emails sent

[Motasyco]

E-mails sent! Come on everyone, let's get involved!

[Guest oldfella]

Like everything else - if you wait for some one else to do it, it will not get done. Lets get it done, folks.

Pete

[Motasyco]

I got my wife to send e-mails too. Haven't called the neighbors yet.

[Guest HexHead]

Sent to my Rep. My Senator is worthless.

[BryanG]

emails sent

[GLOCKMEISTER]

Sent to my Rep. My Senator is worthless.

whos your rep?

[BrasilNuts]

Quick and easy emails to send. I hope this gets through.

[Daps]

Sorry to be dumb here but what guns are manufactured in TN that I the avg guy well maybe a little above avg guy would want to buy

[Guest truthsayer]

Sorry to be dumb here but what guns are manufactured in TN that I the avg guy well maybe a little above avg guy would want to buy

for starters,

Barrett Rifles

Here's how I see this playing out:

The legislation passes, some brave soul goes about manufacturing a simple firearm, and then the rest is played out in the courts when the PSH overcomes the opponents of liberty. Once a legal precedent is established, we'll see manufacturers start to open up shop in-state.

[Guest SomeGuy]

truth,

You are optimistic. While I support the idea, I expect the Fed courts to say "bad State law!" and the TN officials to knuckle under.

[Guest Jamie]

truth,

You are optimistic. While I support the idea, I expect the Fed courts to say "bad State law!" and the TN officials to knuckle under.

The problem I see is that if the gun ever crossed state lines, the feds are going to claim Interstate Commerce, whether the thing is sold or not, or whether it returns to Tennessee or not.

And given that there's no way to ensure that won't happen, or to monitor whether or not it ever did ( which no gun owner would want any way ), I just can't see it working.

It would be nice to get the Federal Monkeys off of gun owner's backs, but I just don't think that this is a way to do it. Or even start to do it, for that matter. Worst case, it would give the feds a new reason to scream for federal registration.

But maybe I'm just being too pessimistic and suspicious....

[Guest Jamie]

Okay... what hiccuped? I only pushed "send" once...

Anyway, nevermind. Double post.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Jamie

[TNRobocop]

Sorry to be dumb here but what guns are manufactured in TN that I the avg guy well maybe a little above avg guy would want to buy

Sabre Defence (AR's and soon to be domestic Steyr AUGs)

Barrett

Predator

A few others I cannot remember off the top of my head.

[Guest sstouder]

The problem I see is that if the gun ever crossed state lines, the feds are going to claim Interstate Commerce, whether the thing is sold or not, or whether it returns to Tennessee or not.

And given that there's no way to ensure that won't happen, or to monitor whether or not it ever did ( which no gun owner would want any way ), I just can't see it working.

It would be nice to get the Federal Monkeys off of gun owner's backs, but I just don't think that this is a way to do it. Or even start to do it, for that matter. Worst case, it would give the feds a new reason to scream for federal registration.

But maybe I'm just being too pessimistic and suspicious....

then wouldnt they have done that to montana also?

[Volzfan]

Sent to my Rep. My Senator is worthless.

Then send him/her 3 or 4 emails.

[Billco]

Sorry to be dumb here but what guns are manufactured in TN that I the avg guy well maybe a little above avg guy would want to buy

There is also Sabre Defense Industries in Nashville and Para have their factory svc center in E Tenn

[Guest Nughuffer]

Emails sent. Good heads up, lets keep this moving

[GLOCKMEISTER]

Sabre Defence (AR's and soon to be domestic Steyr AUGs)

Barrett

Predator

A few others I cannot remember off the top of my head.

but, I think..I may be wrong... this law says like others states... all "major parts"... I know Saber Recievers arent made in Tn... so it woulknt apply.

In short every major part... would have to be made in Tennessee... and I dont know of any that apply.

Like I said before, I love the idea, but its a warm and fuzzy law voted/enacted to prove a point.

[GLOCKMEISTER]

btw... what makes you guys think that Tn wont enact their own laws/taxs.. and from the past experience I have seen they just copy the feds... actually are stricter.

[Guest Jamie]

then wouldnt they have done that to montana also?

Maybe they're waiting for more than one state? Dunno...

All I'm sure of is that it's how the feds went about banning/outlawing switchblade knives. And I can't imagine them passing up a chance to do the same with firearms.

[Motasyco]

Montana is expecting this to go to the Supreme Court. It's not so much about guns as it is about state sovereignty and the 10th Ammendment. Texas and several other states also have similar bills in the works. I sure wish we had more influence in selecting a new Supreme Court Justice.