2013 Legislative Goals

[Guest 270win]

What are some of the legislative goals of folks for next year to improve gun rights in Tennessee?

Also, what are some realistic goals that can pass state house, state senate, and governor?


I personally think concentrating on a few realistic goals is better than many goals that have no chance of passing both houses and governor.


For example, I do not think Constitutional Carry is going to happen. I wish it would, but I don't think it would pass. The state makes too much money off the permit system.

Some of what I think are realistic goals include:

Parking Lot Law so that employees can't be fired for a gun in the car.
State Pre emption over the city and county parks for legal gun carry with a permit.
Possible Modification of the sign law.

I highly doubt the state wants to legalize permit holders to carry in schools. I wish that were the case but I don't think it will happen next year. People are paranoid when it comes to guns and schools. Overly emotional.

[macville]

I can tell you what the leadership wants to do...either ignore us or screw us over by passing worthless bills that just make the firearms law more confusing all the while saying to us, "what? we pass gun laws for you this session." Nothing will actually change until we have leadership that actually lets our reps vote on stuff and not keep bills in committee.

That said, I think those three things would be great. Parking lot needs to happen for EVERYONE in TN that's not on federal property. Shouldn't matter where it is. Should take away the ability for local parks to post...which ironically they are unconstitutionally allowing locals to make the law when THEY are supposed to decide and only them. And removal of the sign law as it's also unconstitutional.

[Q-tip]

Schools should definitely be included in the parking lot bill.

I'd like to see vehicle carry without a permit. A personal vehicle should be treated like your own property as far as what's you possess inside it.

[Guest 270win]

I totally agree that we should be able to keep a loaded firearm in the car without a permit. I do think if that was legalized, then the state would see a big drop in the number of handgun carry permits because a lot of people here get permits just to be legal with a car gun.

[Guest TNSovereignty]

I tend to think it's worthwhile to strive for the ideal, even if the odds seem insurmountable. So called 'realistic' goals too often equal weak goals, and it tells the gov't bureaucrats that we're just a bunch of serfs begging for bread crumbs. Those of us who are passionate about our RTKBA should go full court press on Constitutional carry, year after year after year. Why in the world does VT - a socialist state - run circles around TN when it comes to this issue? You know how our rights have been frittered away over the generations? Because folks like us yielded on what they considered the 'minor' issues and settled for what people told them was realistic.

[gun sane]

This UN treaty business is still being debated as to how it will affect our rights. Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, states:

[quote][i]“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under that Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, [b]any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding[/b].” [/i][/quote]

In 2010 we amended the Tennessee Constitution to preserve our rights to hunt and fish. We need an amendment which will do the same for our rights to carry--without limit to magazine capacity, type of firearm or accessories.

[Guest sventvkg]

I want to see Constitutional Carry instituted with no restrictions. The HGP application in this state is an unconstitutional travesty. The more lawful citizens we can get armed with the less intrusion by the state the better society we will have PERIOD. Anything less is an unacceptable compromise.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Less government, less Haslam, less Harwell.  

[Commando68]

I want to see Constitutional Carry instituted with no restrictions. The HGP application in this state is an unconstitutional travesty. The more lawful citizens we can get armed with the less intrusion by the state the better society we will have PERIOD. Anything less is an unacceptable compromise.

According to Websters 1828 dictionary's definition of the word "BEAR"  "To wear; to bear as a mark of authority or distinction; as, to bear a sword, a badge, a name; to bear arms in a coat" Bearing arms in a coat is CONCEALED CARRY. Congress uses the 1828 dictionary as a standard for interpretation as words change meaning over time.  According to this word in the Bill of Rights we have a right to carry concealed or otherwise NOW. Any state or fedgov restriction on such is an infringement and is unconstitutional. Why do we have to beg for a "right" from a bureaucrat while we already have the protection in the Bill of Rights? Tell me that.

[Guest sventvkg]

According to Websters 1828 dictionary's definition of the word "BEAR"  "To wear; to bear as a mark of authority or distinction; as, to bear a sword, a badge, a name; to bear arms in a coat" Bearing arms in a coat is CONCEALED CARRY. Congress uses the 1828 dictionary as a standard for interpretation as words change meaning over time.  According to this word in the Bill of Rights we have a right to carry concealed or otherwise NOW. Any state or fedgov restriction on such is an infringement and is unconstitutional. Why do we have to beg for a "right" from a bureaucrat while we already have the protection in the Bill of Rights? Tell me that.

I totally agree with your 100% and our founders explained their intent regarding the 2nd amendment quite thoroughly in their personal writings as well as the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers. The Govt. Knows this FULL WELL! We are living under abject Tyranny.

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

Ok, I'm gonna go off the wall way in left field with this wild suggestion. I'm not even sure if the TN Legislature can take on this issue. Nullification of NFA laws. I know alot of your are thinking, not a chance in hell. Well, if there were a way then try pushing the issue. It would be very controversial and would make Constitutional Carry look less controversial IMO.  TN already allows for NFA Items, so why not tell BATF and Federal Gooberment that TN gun owners want out of these silly gun laws. Just my two cents. Like I said just a wild suggestion.

Edited December 12, 2012 by ArmyVeteran37214

[Guest TNSovereignty]

+100 on all the constitutional carry comments.  

 

The only way I see to move forward on the issue is to follow the Founders legacy, meaning we must hang together or we'll all hang separately.  Hanging together means following the dictates of our Constitution, swearing off state licensing/permitting, stop paying their fees, and continuing to 'bear arms' as our Constitution allows.  And we have to be prepared for the results ... are any of us prepared to go to prison for the Bill of Rights?  Forfeiture of property?  Endurance of fed/state persecution?  Put it this way ... all the good things we have in this country (or what's left of them) were a result of either armed struggle or passive rebellion.  (I'm currently leaning toward the latter, while preparing for the former.)  We call ourselves patriots ... do we have the intestinal fortitude to walk the walk of the patriot?  Or are we too enamored with our comforts, big screen TV, and the next great ball game to fight the good fight.  Gelded & emasculated patriots rely on their rights from government ... others of us prefer to exercise liberty & freedom without a 'by your leave' from fedgoons or waffling, unprincipled, ever-compromising politicians.

[Commando68]

+100 on all the constitutional carry comments.  
 
The only way I see to move forward on the issue is to follow the Founders legacy, meaning we must hang together or we'll all hang separately.  Hanging together means following the dictates of our Constitution, swearing off state licensing/permitting, stop paying their fees, and continuing to 'bear arms' as our Constitution allows.  And we have to be prepared for the results ... are any of us prepared to go to prison for the Bill of Rights?  Forfeiture of property?  Endurance of fed/state persecution?  Put it this way ... all the good things we have in this country (or what's left of them) were a result of either armed struggle or passive rebellion.  (I'm currently leaning toward the latter, while preparing for the former.)  We call ourselves patriots ... do we have the intestinal fortitude to walk the walk of the patriot?  Or are we too enamored with our comforts, big screen TV, and the next great ball game to fight the good fight.  Gelded & emasculated patriots rely on their rights from government ... others of us prefer to exercise liberty & freedom without a 'by your leave' from fedgoons or waffling, unprincipled, ever-compromising politicians.

Very well said.

[Guest 270win]

I agree with constitutional carry I am afraid with Harwell and Haslam it will not happen.  What could get past Harwell?