SB1597 Bredesen supports "Emergency Gun Confiscations"

[K191145]

I mostly worried about it passing the Democrat-controlled House. Especially with Naifeh in charge. Bredesen won't be in the next election. He's barred from running again due to term limits. That is what spared us from getting that turncoat Sundquist again.

I believe the next election, Naifeh's up for re-election. Everybody should really get involved weather you are in his district or not to campaign against him. I like the idea of campaigning against any Democrat running for Governor and let the state government know that when the Governor turns his back on his employers it has ramifications for all in his party. We shouldn't wait either, or be too nice and polite about it. Politics isn't nice and polite, to beat them we have to crawl down in the mud with them and fight.

[Marswolf]

I think there is a real opening here for the Republicans to paint Democrats as gun grabbers. I think Bredesen made a political mistake on this one. Lots of people who are not "gun nuts" know what happened in NO and feel strongly that the gun collection by government was wrong. This is a matter that if played properly could influence voters choices.

I'd forget Naifeh himself and concentrate on putting a different party in control of the House, who would remove Naifeh from his position of power.

[Guest Len]

This issue is happening in states nation-wide. Check out the front page (above the fold) of today's Tennessean. (www.tennessean.com)

I agree with Mars that many "non-gun-nuts" believe what they tried to do in NO was simply wrong, as well as unconsititutional.

Folks, in this country, there are three things mentioned in the constitution that various groups of people are passionate about:

1) Guns. Nuff said on this one.

2) Speech. The big one. Constant wars between the censors and the free-speechers. Its the 1A for a reason.

3) Property. MANY people who could give a hoot about assault weapons bans and regulation of porn on the 'net (yes, its true Virginia, there is porn on the net) will positively FREAK OUT when the issue of ZONING or PROPERTY RIGHTS comes up. These folks will do anything to protect what is theirs, including sitting on their flooded house's rooftop with a shotgun and a big sign that says "Looters Will be Shot." Geeze, there are people here in TN who think local zoning ordinances are just to the far side of communism. So, its no surprise to me that people with little interest in the gun debate come down hard on the side of property rights, and the protection of said property.

Now that the property-rights crowd and the pro-gun crowd are united, pretty soon there wont be many governors who will have the power to confiscate. That said, if Bredesen fights it, it wont pass the house. If it passes, he has a choice. The debate over executive powers is interesting, but risking the last 3 years of an administration with big goals and probably the money to acheive many of them is likely not worth it. If I were advising the guv, that is what I would say. Politics 101.

Finally, if the Governor is not sure of the validity of my last argument, I suggest he take a look at DC, where President Bush put his foot down HARD on the side of strong powers of the Executive, and as a result his party gets to sit on the back benches for the next two years.

[shaftbass]

Gov. Phil Bredesen, who was at one time leery of giving up that power, signaled his support Monday for a plan to prevent Tennessee officials from suspending the sale or transport of guns during a Hurricane Katrina-like emergency.

Well that's certainly good news.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/NEWS0201/703270352

[K191145]

Either Bredesen got an earful from Tennesseans and decided it was a bad political move to oppose this bill or he has a secret little deal with Naifeh so he wont have to even touch it and try to save face. If it fails in the house then I like the idea of painting state Democrats as gun grabbers, still a bad political move for them.

I recieved this e-mail this morning from my rep.

I strongly support this bill as well. Thank you for your input and support.

Phillip Johnson

[K191145]

Well that's certainly good news.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/NEWS0201/703270352

Bredesen said he had questioned some language in the bill, but that it sounds "reasonable."

Please allow me to translate what he said.

Being a yankee democrat, I forgot I was in the south where the idea of opposing 2nd Amendment rights goes over like a turd in a punch bowl so I will retract my horrible mistake before it bites me and my fellow democrats in the ars.

[Marswolf]

Some politicians are smart enough to read the voter's views and follow them.

What I'm looking to see is if Bredesen is smart enough to support the bill in the House. If he doesn't, I don't think his ploy will be misunderstood by the voters.

[shaftbass]

http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/bill-passes-tennesseans-can-keep-guns-in-emergencies/85773.htm

Bill Passes, Tennesseans Can Keep Guns In Emergencies

Tennesseans will get to keep their weapons to defend themselves in future disasters and emergencies.

Tennessee lawmakers shot down a standing law allowing the governor to confiscate guns.

Louisiana had the same law and enacted it in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Post-Katrina New Orleans experienced a dramatic rise in violence. To curb the chaos, Louisiana government ordered all citizens to turn in their guns.

Wednesday, Tennessee senators assured residents of the Volunteer State they will keep their guns, even in a State of Emergency.

Republican Senator Mark Norris proposed the bill that bans local...

...officials from taking weapons

He said, “You can't complain about a vote of 32 to nothing, I’d say the state supports our Second Amendment rights, our right to bear arms, and that's important at all times, especially in times of a state emergency."

Some local gun owners are happy the bill passed.

Senator Norris said, "We can't have happen here what happened in New Orleans after Katrina. We don't want the government to take our guns away. We need them in times like that."

J. Buford Tune supports the bill. He said, "You’re gonna have to do what you have to do at the time to protectyourself and your property."

On the other side of the bill, some said during a chaotic event such as Hurricane Katrina, the government needs to step in and keep the peace.

Russell Charles Ross said, "With cases like Louisiana and the deep south, yes, guns in the wrong hands, death... As a country, we're still cleaning up after the mess."

Initially, Governor Phil Bredesen showed concern about giving up power during statewide emergencies, but that has changed.

The governor is not expected to veto the measure.

Abdelladif Ali supports the measure as well. He said, “I originally from Sudan inAfrica… We had a lot of problems with the government making laws. We don't need that there."

Before the bill passed, the governor had the authority to confiscate weapons and wouldn't allow citizens to buy guns and ammunition during natural disasters or a declared emergency.

Senator Norris said his bill protects Tennesseans' constitutional rights.

In 2005, the National Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence gave Tennessee a grade of D when it comes to laws to prevent gun violence.

For instance, safety training is not required for handgun buyers and buyers aren't required to be familiar with gun laws or know how to safelyhandle a gun.

There are no consumer safety standards on guns, Tennessee does not require guns to be sold with a child safety or personalized lock to stop the gun from being used by anyone besides the owner.

Also, guns aren't required to be registered with law enforcement and police do not have a record of how many guns are in the state, or where they are.

[TGO David]

Senator Norris will be receiving my email of thanks in mere moments.

[K191145]

http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/bill-passes-tennesseans-can-keep-guns-in-emergencies/85773.htm

Bill Passes, Tennesseans Can Keep Guns In Emergencies

Tennesseans will get to keep their weapons to defend themselves in future disasters and emergencies.

Tennessee lawmakers shot down a standing law allowing the governor to confiscate guns.

Louisiana had the same law and enacted it in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Post-Katrina New Orleans experienced a dramatic rise in violence. To curb the chaos, Louisiana government ordered all citizens to turn in their guns.

Wednesday, Tennessee senators assured residents of the Volunteer State they will keep their guns, even in a State of Emergency.

Republican Senator Mark Norris proposed the bill that bans local...

...officials from taking weapons

He said, “You can't complain about a vote of 32 to nothing, I’d say the state supports our Second Amendment rights, our right to bear arms, and that's important at all times, especially in times of a state emergency."

Some local gun owners are happy the bill passed.

Senator Norris said, "We can't have happen here what happened in New Orleans after Katrina. We don't want the government to take our guns away. We need them in times like that."

J. Buford Tune supports the bill. He said, "You’re gonna have to do what you have to do at the time to protectyourself and your property."

On the other side of the bill, some said during a chaotic event such as Hurricane Katrina, the government needs to step in and keep the peace.

Russell Charles Ross said, "With cases like Louisiana and the deep south, yes, guns in the wrong hands, death... As a country, we're still cleaning up after the mess."

Initially, Governor Phil Bredesen showed concern about giving up power during statewide emergencies, but that has changed.

The governor is not expected to veto the measure.

Abdelladif Ali supports the measure as well. He said, “I originally from Sudan inAfrica… We had a lot of problems with the government making laws. We don't need that there."

Before the bill passed, the governor had the authority to confiscate weapons and wouldn't allow citizens to buy guns and ammunition during natural disasters or a declared emergency.

Senator Norris said his bill protects Tennesseans' constitutional rights.

In 2005, the National Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence gave Tennessee a grade of D when it comes to laws to prevent gun violence.

For instance, safety training is not required for handgun buyers and buyers aren't required to be familiar with gun laws or know how to safelyhandle a gun.

There are no consumer safety standards on guns, Tennessee does not require guns to be sold with a child safety or personalized lock to stop the gun from being used by anyone besides the owner.

Also, guns aren't required to be registered with law enforcement and police do not have a record of how many guns are in the state, or where they are.

So did it pass Nafieh's royal permission in the house yet? I check the state legislative web site but it confuses me more than informes me. I hope it's ready for Bredesens desk. I still haven't forgiven Bredesen for his original opposition, he knew very well what that bill was about all along.

Now lets pressure our reps into passing bills that ease restrictions on carry permits such as being able to carry in parks and in restaurants that serve alcohol.

[Guest Hyaloid]

I am a bit suspicious... all of the sudden a 32 to nothing vote in favor?

I want to read the amended bill before I get all teary eyed myself... methinks there will be a bunch of ambiguous language in it that would act as a workaround, knowing politicians never cede power without a fight.

[saintsfanbrian]

guns aren't required to be registered with law enforcement and police do not have a record of how many guns are in the state, or where they are.

This is a GOOD thing.