Employee Safe Commute (Parking Lot) Campaign

[R_Bert]

Stacey's questions to the AG -

http://lastcar.blogs...-questions.html

*****There is a option to leave comments ( and answers) on his blog site*****

He also took note of an artical I sent him on Colorado campus carry -

http://lastcar.blogs...pus-upheld.html

Edited March 11, 2012 by R_Bert

[Sky King]

Regarding HB 3560 by Eddie Bass, I have sent another round of emails concerning this bill. I also plan at this time to be in Nashville for this hearing. I have written to Rep. Bass telling him of my desire to speak in support of his bill. Unfortunately, I have recently heard that this bill may not be heard on the 14th. I do not know if it is being rolled by the sponsor or if it is being stonewalled by the House leadership due to the pressure being put on the members.

Regarding SB3002 by Mike Faulk in the Senate:

If any of you had an opportunity to watch the opponents testimony in the Senate Judiciary on the 6th, (you can still go back and see it as all videos are archived), you will note that Chairman Beavers invited all those who did not get to speak, to submit their testimony in writing for distribution to the other committee members. If the bill goes as planned by Senator Faulk, the bill should be up for a vote in the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday the 13th. We need to get those emails and phone calls going in. My information has it that Ron Ramsey has indicated that Senators Mark Norris and Brian Kelsey from Shelby County are key to this bill passing. Senator Brian Kelsey is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and he has not been very vocal in any of the previous hearings so it is hard to get a reading on how he may vote. If any of you live in his district, please contact him.

Here is the email I sent to all the Senate Judiciary Committee:

Chairman Beavers and Senators,

I am Sam Cooper of Memphis. I spoke before your committee in support of HB3002. I watched with great interest the testimony of those who oppose this bill on March 6th. I noted that the chair invited those who did not get an opportunity to speak, to submit their testimony in writing for distribution to the other members.

With that in mind, I would ask that the members allow me to rebut some of what was said on March 6th and consider that along with our previous testimony when you vote.

Mr. Hogan of Federal Express remarked on the number of employees at the airport facility. With that said he expressed concern for the increased imediate access to firearms. What he did not say, and was not asked, is how many firearms they suspect to already be in vehicles on their lot. Also it was not asked if they take any steps currently to prevent those firearms from being present. The answer to that is that they do not. Outside of the existance of a policy and signage along with the reserved right to search, there is nothing done to actively prevent the carrying of weapons on the property.

Several spoke of statistics: from 2006 thru 2008, 81%, 69% and 80% respectively of work place homicides were by shootings. 52% of employees knew about or had witnessed an act of workplace violence with 28% experiencing acts of violence.

These statistics while in themselves may be accurate, do not break down some very valid information regarding them. From 1997 thru 2010 Justice Bureau statistics help put some of THEIR statistics into context. These incidents of workplace violence accounted for only 4% of ALL violent crime. 84% of THAT 4% was committed by NON-employees. Of those only 9% knew someone in that workplace and only 7% were committed by current or former employees.

What is not clarified is that a armed robery of a convenience store where an employee is shot can be included as an act of workplace violence.

The close proximity or ready access of a firearm is cited as a potential hazard yet none of those speaking said anything about the ILLEGAL firearms that are most likely ALREADY there.

The President of Trevecca Nazarene University indicates that they are willing to work with those who choose to carry on campus legally and has had no problems. If every employer would do as they do, there would be no need for this law but they will not. He went on to say that a firearm kept in a car that is out of sight and not known is not something that they can be concerned about.

The most important fact brought out and should be remembered is what Mr. Hogan said in response to a question from Senator Bell. He said that in the other states that have a similiar law and employees ARE able to keep firearms in their car, there has been NO problems. NONE of the incidents they say will happen, NONE of the dire predictions have come to pass.

Unlike other requirements imposed by state and federal laws, this bill imposes no additional requirements or expense on the part of the property owner. If this bill passes, it will be business as usual.

Please consider this when you deliberate this bill.

Edited March 12, 2012 by Sky King

[QuietDan]

I'm waiting for the case where a female Handgun Carry Permit holder, who carries, goes to work unarmed because it's demanded by her employer, and gets carjacked and shot on the way. Sue the company, and bang the drum loudly in the media, dragging the business through the mud.

There's the court of law, in which the employer may have little or no liability, and there's the court of public opinion, in which the company would be guilty, guilty, guilty.

For successful prosecution of this legal campaign to get the law changed, a scenario like this ought to have been drawn and acted out for the benefit of the blind and insensitive. Properly conducted, even FedEx would back off. I don't think there has been enough effort in the court of public opinion, and it might be too late for this until next legislative session. Hopefully a bill will pass this session, even if it's half a loaf, and go back next session for the other half of the loaf.

[Sky King]

I received a call from the NRA and asked to do a phone interview. That will air this evening at 5PM Eastern, 4PM Central at www.nranews.com if anybody is interested in hearing it.

[Guest Star1021Scott]

Is SB3002 scheduled for debate again today?

[RobertNashville]

Yes...apparently they've rolled it for another week.

Not sure what that really means for the future; apparently it's still alive but maybe on life support...we have a lot of legislators who want to "compromise" so that they can vote positively on a meaningless bill and appear to be pro-firearms while still not pissing off their big-business campaign donors.

We'll see what happens!

Edited March 13, 2012 by RobertNashville

[Guest Star1021Scott]

I watched the video on the states website from today. It is deffered until next week as apparently Senator Campfield had questions for the AG, who will apparently be in session next week to answer the questions for the committee.

Edited March 14, 2012 by Star1021Scott

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

[R_Bert]

well done, Sam.

[GKar]

So in 46 minutes of actual meeting time, the House E&CA Subcomittee managed to address a whopping 4 bills out of a 19 bill agenda...and agenda upon which the Bass/Faulk bills were #s 18 and 19, while the McCormick abomination was scheduled as #9. Sure seemed like Casada was in a gawd-awful hurry to move for adjournment.

[Guest 270win]

I'm sure fred smith has his own personal armed guards.

I carry pretty much everywhere and could care less if it is FedEx property or not. What is hidden on me that FedEx doesn't know about won't hurt them. Thank goodness I don't work there and have to rely on their money for a living.

[R_Bert]

So in 46 minutes of actual meeting time, the House E&CA Subcomittee managed to address a whopping 4 bills out of a 19 bill agenda...and agenda upon which the Bass/Faulk bills were #s 18 and 19, while the McCormick abomination was scheduled as #9. Sure seemed like Casada was in a gawd-awful hurry to move for adjournment.

They only had the meeting room (HHR16) until 1:30 (90 minutes in all, and kill 30 of it on the ends with protocol), when another committee was scheduled. Our legislators at work. Not only do they *not* want to do the job, they ,make *sure* the schedule only permits minimal opportunity for the week. Hang up everything but their pet projects. That, is apparently, from the empirical observation, how it is done. A component of legislative maneuvering.

B.

Edited March 14, 2012 by R_Bert

[GKar]

SB 3002/HB 3560 are now scheduled for the Senate Judiciary Cmte on 3/20 and the House E&CA Sub on 3/21. HB3660 (McCormick) is also scheduled for teh House E&CA Sub on 3/21. Let's see how JimmyBeth Harwellfah deals with em this go-round.

[Sky King]

Ok folks it is time to crank up the calls and emails again. These bills were rolled from last week but are on the schedule again for this week. The General Assembly is wanting to wrap up business for this session early so we are rapidly approaching the last opportunity for these bills to be heard. Tell your representatives AND the committee members that we want these bill heard. Contact the sponsors, Eddie Bass in the House and Mike Faulk in the Senate and tell them you appreciate their work and that you want them to move their bills.

Don't be fooled by the number of co-sponsors. Just because we see a lot of co-sponsors does not mean these bills are a sure thing. Often representatives will sign on just to be able to say to us and their constituants that they have supported our Second Amendment rights, knowing and hoping all along that they will never have to have a recorded vote. We need these bills to come to the floors of the Senate and House for a recorded up or down vote. This is the only way we will ever know just who our "friends" really are.

It is recorded votes that we know that Beth Harwell IS NOT our friend. While she claims to be friendly to gun rights, her votes tell another story.

[Worriedman]

Of course they want to end their stay in Nashville, it is election year. The incumbents can not by law, raise money or campaign while they are in session. It is necessary that they get loose from their responsibilities as servants of the People so they can get about collecting their due by leaning on their Business partners whose plans they have so faithfully executed.

[raydog1]

I got a notice this is in the Sentate today, but the calendar says tomorrow?

Edited March 20, 2012 by raydog1

[Volzfan]

I just got this from my Rep after I sent her an email this morning.

Volzfan, it is my understanding that the sponsor has taken this legislation "off notice" and it will not be heard this year. Thanks for your e-mail.

Sherry Jones

Edited March 20, 2012 by Volzfan

[R_Bert]

yup.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/20/sponsor-of-guns-in-parking-lots-bill-to-amend-it/

[Worriedman]

They did not even have an Employee and Consumer Affairs Sub Committee meeting today, scrubbed it in its entirety.

The House does not intend to deal with this issue, they are going to close out the year without a recorded vote, that way they can say they did not oppose it.

Edited March 21, 2012 by Worriedman

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Politics in motion.

[Sky King]

I just received an email with this link:

http://m.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/20/ ... -amend-it/

It reports how Mike Faulk, sponsor of SB3002 is apparently about to all his bill to be amended with MAJOR exceptions. For me, if these amendments pass, I will totally reverse myself and fight to defeat the bill entirely.

What I can not fathom is how people can possibly think that a fence around my employers lot has ANY effect on the circumstances in place during my commute. So much discussion has IMPROPERLY focused on how people are to defend themselves while AT work or on the employers parking lot. While this may be important for many but the MAIN goal has been to ensure a way to defend yourself during your commute, hence the name SAFE COMMUTE bill.

[R_Bert]

Politics in motion.

No, Even more. This is directly related to increased PAC contribution limits, and whoring after $. Everyone wants their $100K.

Edited March 21, 2012 by R_Bert

[Defender]

I used the TFA's automatic e-mail to our reps and got several positive replies and a couple non-committal replies.

[R_Bert]

I used the TFA's automatic e-mail to our reps and got several positive replies and a couple non-committal replies.

/cynic

which are meaningless, in view of committee maneuvering & posturing

/cynic off

The leadership, Ms. Harwell, and Mr. Ramsey first, needs to step down. They do not represent the populace at large.

Edited March 21, 2012 by R_Bert

[Worriedman]

What public discussion has taken place? Have our "Sunshine" laws been violated in view of the discussions taking place in whatever back room the Governor and the two Speakers have had regarding this issue?