Join Together
Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here

What Can I Do?



Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE

Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP

 

Tennessee Governor Will Veto Bill Allowing Guns in Bars
June 2, 2009

Share Share Email
email
Print
print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said that he plans to veto legislation allowing people to carry firearms into restaurants and bars, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported May 28.

The measure was slated to take effect June 1.

"To carry a concealed weapon in a crowded bar at midnight on a Saturday night defies common sense," Bredesen said in a letter to House Speaker Kent Williams. Bredesen recalled a gun-safety class he took in high school. "A basic tenet taught at that class was this: "Guns and alcohol don't mix."

Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville), who sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives, said he would attempt to get the veto overridden.

Supporters of the legislation noted that few state residents have lost their handgun permits because of safety violations. "The bottom line is it's a remarkable record of safety … and responsibility on the part of handgun-permit holders in Tennessee," said Sen. Doug Jackson (D-Dickson), who was the bill's main sponsor.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by cslrdave on 03 Jun 09 09:34 AM EDT
I lived in Arizona during the 1980's when open carry laws were the order of the day. Unless bar mangment posted a no firearms sign, you could carry openly in a tavern. I never heard of an incident in 8 years I lived there. I was in some very rough places, too (went in with a woody, to places most people wouldn't go into with machine guns)! Patrons were very polite to one another!

Posted by Edwin Smith on 03 Jun 09 10:40 AM EDT
I believe that there is enough problems with at bars already without oking guns to get involved in the mix. This is not the 1870s and we should thank our stars that there is a legislator like Gov.Bredesen to veto this type of bill!! Keep your guns on the target range, please!!!

Posted by Bernie Ellis on 03 Jun 09 03:32 PM EDT
Governor Bredesen vetoed the bill already -- last week in a big veto ceremony. Unfortunately, it only takes a simple majority in both houses of our TN legislature to overturn a veto (which begs the question: why bother?) We also have bills moving through the legislature to allow guns in public parks. Welcome to the wild west. Now maybe if they allowed guns in churches in Kansas, the minister, usher or choir director could have gotten the draw on that domestic terrorist and Dr. Tiller would still be alive. (Or maybe not.)

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Submissions are held for review and approval.
Please read the guidelines before posting.

Name:

Comment:
(limit 250
words)

Enter this word
(help):
Change

Guidelines for comments