Tennessee Firearms Association. What's your take?

[Randall53]

I got a very informative email from them this morning hammering Haslam, and rightly so is seems, for sitting on his hands and doing nothing so far to increase security at military institutions. What kind of job does the TFA do? Is it worth supporting? I know I like what they say in this email. Here is the email I got:


Tennessee's Governor, Bill Haslam, calls for "review" of how to respond to terrorist attack. TFA calls for passage of Constitutional Carry and elimination of gun free zones now.

Chattanooga's terrorist attack on military related facilities was not a strategic military strike. It was not a vendetta against specific individuals. It was an act of premeditated suicidal carnage designed primarily to inflict terror on a civilian population in the name of a socio-economic-political regime that seeks to exterminate anything that is not submissive to it.

In the last 4 days, there have been many calls and demands made for Bill Haslam, as the governor of the state of Tennessee, to take action to provide security for Tennessee's military facilities which, to a rational person should be unnecessary but for the Alice-In-Wonderland world of political correctness that disarms the armed forces of this country on their own bases and facilities.

Governors of at least six other states have moved swiftly to act but Tennessee - still 4 days after the needless deaths - remains as it was minutes before life ended for these men of Tennessee. Why? One reason - our governor, Bill Haslam.

Bill Haslam went on the Meet the Press on Sunday and declared he was going to "review" his options. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IccM5NwqvQ8 )

Review? Bill Haslam wants to "review" his options.

How much of a review was there on Thursday when in the minutes following the terrorist attack the Governor's manison was placed on lock down? How much review was there when within minutes the Tennessee legislature and capitol were placed under increased security?

Governors in other states have already acted decisively. Even individual citizens are taking action. Local law enforcement even moved into action. But the timid governor of the State of Tennessee seeks only to "review" his options?

Former State Representative Joe Carr has been calling for real action - not delays and indecision. He points to the swift responses of other states to the terrorist act in Tennessee.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/07/18/time-for-the-states-to-lead-arm-soldiers-on-american-bases/

Under the Tennessee Constitution and relevant statutes, the governor is the commander-in-chief of all state military forces, including the state unorganized militia, the State Guard, and the Tennessee National Guard. He also commands the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Governor Haslam could, as commander-in-chief, have issued orders within minutes of the terrorist attack to provide armed responses from multiple resources to protect Tennesseans - whether civilian or in military service.
Yet, in a span of almost 4 days now, his most aggressive response is to call for a "review" of what his options may be and to suggest that he must be submissive to whatever move Barack Obama may take, if any.

The frustration of a feckless leader is bad enough. It embarrassing for the Volunteer State. Its a disgrace to those in public service who put their lives at risk.

But, setting those considerations aside for the moment, let's assume that Tennessee's governor takes some actual responsive and protective action at some point by providing increased arms or security at these military facilities. Is that enough or does it create other problems if that is all he does?

Remember, this was not a strategic military strike -- it was a terrorist act. The objective was terror through senseless multiple victim murder. The fact that it was directed at unarmed members of the armed forces on our soil is probably just "option a" in the Islamic terrorist manual.

Are we to assume that any additional planned or potential terrorist attacks will just stop if and when Haslam acts to harden the military facilities and storefronts?

No. It would be foolish to think that the Islamic terrorist manual only has "option a - attack the unarmed soldiers."

Indeed, terrorists attacks all over the world already reveal that civilian targets are equally if not more at risk. Thus, it is more likely, as in other countries, that the terrorist playbook already provides that the terrorist operatives are to merely refocus on other, perhaps softer targets including civilian targets such as schools, hospitals, playgrounds, places of employment, places of entertainment, public and private office buildings, grocery stores, malls, movie theaters, legislatures, transportation hubs, churches and any place where there are concentrated gatherings. This is universally the strategy of attacking in gun free zones - the most carnage for the smallest investment in the number of suicide operatives.

Arming the armed forces is a no brainer. It should have always been the rule and was until the era of political correctness. While this nation prohibits standing armies, we do not prohibit are armed forces from being able to effectively defend themselves from attack.

But what also MUST occur in Tennessee and all other States is the complete removal of all infringements, as the 2nd Amendment provides, on the rights of the people to keep and bear arms. Tennessee's constitution in Article I, Section 26, even declares that the same rights recognized by the 2nd Amendment also include the right to "wear" arms.

We must demand, as Tennesseans, the passage of Constitutional Carry in Tennessee and support the same in other states.

We must demand that Gun Free Zones be eliminated in Tennessee and support the same in other states.

We must hold elected officials accountable for immediately passing constitutional carry and eliminating all gun free zones. Indeed, many public facilities in Tennessee are gun free zones not because of a statute but because some public official in Haslam's administration or in local government just decided to post the property "gun free" - those signs can and should be removed across the state today!

Hardening the military, without more, will do nothing more than refocus the terrorism toward softer targets, civilian targets - you, your family and your friends.

I wonder if Bill Haslam and his appointee, Bill Gibbons, are "reviewing" constitutional carry and the elimination of gun free zones in Tennessee as they benefit from their own state provided armed security and armed public officer transports today?

Perhaps you should call Bill Haslam's office: (615) 741-2001 or Bill Gibbons at his office (615) 251-5128 and ask them how the "review" is going and if you can offer a few suggestions.

Oh, and don't forget - Bill Haslam promised 5 years ago to sign constitutional carry into law in Tennessee but, as of yet, he has not only failed to do so but he has effectively worked to kill any legislation to do so. ( www.tennesseefirearms.com/haslam ) While you have the Governor on the phone, ask him when he is going to honor his promise.... Edited July 20, 2015 by Randall53

[shotgunshooter]

I'd be down for constitutional carry but I don't see it happening. I'm not a big Haslam fan anyways so I'll be contacting him.

[101]

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/85253-whats-the-deal-with-tn-firearms-association/?p=1234146

 

I think they do good stuff.  Been a (non-acting) member for a while.  

 

They are worth 35 bucks a year.  John is a good guy.

[LagerHead]

I have always had a problem with TFA's language. 99% of this message is 100% spot on and problem free. But when you call someone feckless, embarrassing, and a disgrace, you put that person on the defensive and cause them to dig in their heels. That is the exact opposite of what we need. A better approach might have been to point out that the Tennessee State Constitution allows for the legislature "to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime," and then pointing out that none of our regulations actually do that. Demonstrate that despite our gun laws getting more and more permissive we do not see an increase in crime, even as the areas in which we are allowed to carry grows and grows.

 

There are plenty of data out there that support a pro-gun position, so you really don't need to resort to the tired old gun control tactic of name calling to get your point across. I think we have all seen that it never has the desired effect. Just my $0.02.

[bersaguy]

Did anyone read the article where the Oath Keepers in Arkansas sent Oath Keepers to every Recruiter location in Arkansas to be armed security for them until the Arkansas National Guard could be put in place..........

 

http://oathkeepers.org/oktester/arkansas-oath-keepers-guarding-recruiting-offices-in-wake-of-shooting/

Edited July 20, 2015 by bersaguy

[Caster]

No bersaguy, I didn't.......but I like it.  

[bersaguy]

No bersaguy, I didn't.......but I like it.  

I added a link for folks that want to read it.

[btq96r]

The lost some respect from me when they used their mailing list to urge members to support an opposition rally against the proposed Medicaid expansion (Insure Tennessee) last February.  I like my single issue organizations to stay focused on single issues.  If I wanted to be contacted about random conservative political causes, I would have joined the Tea Party and other orgs for that.

 

I'll also second LagerHead's comments on the message they put out.  While the facts about how the votes and the process goes down are accurate, the syntax of it can get pretty hostile, which does nothing to aid the public debate.

 

On the plus side, they do keep fantastic records of current legislation, along with each State Rep and Senator and how they vote on gun related issues.  It may seem simple, but between the speed of our General Assembly's McSessions, and the fact that TFA is an all volunteer organization, it's pretty impressive.  If you're ever in doubt what issues are in play, or where a candidate stands gun wise, TFA will be the place to go for research.

Edited July 20, 2015 by btq96r

[hipower]

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/85253-whats-the-deal-with-tn-firearms-association/?p=1234146
 
I think they do good stuff.  Been a (non-acting) member for a while.  
 
They are worth 35 bucks a year.  John is a good guy.

I'm in the same situation with them. Just never seem to get out to the monthly meetings as I should.

[K191145]

Did anyone read the article where the Oath Keepers in Arkansas sent Oath Keepers to every Recruiter location in Arkansas to be armed security for them until the Arkansas National Guard could be put in place..........

 

http://oathkeepers.org/oktester/arkansas-oath-keepers-guarding-recruiting-offices-in-wake-of-shooting/

 

In Clarksville also.

 

http://www.scrippsmedia.com/newschannel5/news/Armed-Volunteers-Guard-Army-Recruitment-Centers-In-Clarksville-318036681.html

[tnliberty01]

I just moved here from Florida. My impression is that Governor Haslam doesn't have a backbone. My research of his 2nd Amendment record validates my impression he's a hapless, two faced politician.

[Grunt67]

IMHO, the TFA / John Harris, is the best & mostly the only voice we have in the legislature. Procedures, language or not, they're stll way ahead of second place.

[GKar]

TFA is the only group with folks who actually walk the halls at Legislative Plaza.  The NRA liason for TN can't find her a$$ with a road map...

[Falcon1]

TFA is the only group with folks who actually walk the halls at Legislative Plaza.  The NRA liason for TN can't find her a$$ with a road map...

 

That has been my impression also.

[Worriedman]

We are going to move forward on two fronts this year (2016 Session).

One a re-written Constitutional Carry Bill, broad enough to encompass signs, parks and most of the issues that have plagued the lawful gun owners since 1870.  What are the chances Haslam and Co. will let it pass?  Pretty slim actually, he is no friend of the general population having firearms at all, though his desire to higher office MAY keep him less vitriolic in public on the issue this year.

Second, a simple repeal of 39-17-1307 ala Mike Bell's knife bill.  It will require a couple of years of moving permit only defenses off the books as statutes, but I think the aura this year may be sufficiently supportive to get this passed.

Beth Harwell is running for governor, as is Diane Black, Mark Green, Mark Norris and some others, it appears the primary for governor may well resemble the presidential scrum.  Harwell will take a hard "right" and has started already with opposing the governor on his "gas" tax.

As soon as we get the verbiage of the new bills out, those who wish to be involved are more than welcome, and if anyone has a line on Jim Coley, we would greatly appreciate it being deployed, as Civil Justice sub has been the killer on most bills recently, then that fraud Harrison in Finance sub will be the next hurdle.

Anything out of committee in the House will pass the Senate.

 

[btq96r]

Beth Harwell is running for governor, as is Diane Black, Mark Green, Mark Norris and some others, it appears the primary for governor may well resemble the presidential scrum.  Harwell will take a hard "right" and has started already with opposing the governor on his "gas" tax.

 

Where is Ramsey in all this?  I thought he would be the logical "next man up" under the standard system not Harwell. 

 

Diane Black in the mix is not surprising, but I doubt she has much of a chance.  I thought Marsha Blackburn might run in 2018 for Governor, but she is probably hoping to make a good jump within Republican leadership when Boehner is eventually replaced as the top Republican in the House and people move around.

[Worriedman]

I think Ramsey spent all the money he had in that bucket to run last time.

[GKar]

Listening to Ramsey speak last week to a local SCV meeting, he sounded like someone far too engaged with what he has already "done", and pointedly avoiding any references to what he intended to "do" (unlike Tim Hill, who spoke at the same meeting).  That has been a consistent tone from him of late - and that, combined with having his boot shoved clear up to his Adam's apple in his last shot at the Gov's chair, seems to send a clear message that he has no stomach for a repeat performance.