WizardPC tells us that:

One of the lawyers that wants the government to prohibit carry permit holders from going in restaurants that serve alcohol is defending those restaurants for selling alcohol to minors.

I thought Will Cheek was all concerned about safety and stuff?

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester chastises the Republicans for hypocrisy.

Senator’s call sends inmate to maximum security

A bit back, there was a bill to restrict access to the list of handgun carry permit holders. It failed by one vote and the press told us that it failed precisely because our politicos wanted to use it for solicitation and marketing. And I reported where some idiots had sent me some unsolicited junk mail and noted I was a permit holder. Apparently, lots of folks are snooping through the list:

Supporters of blocking public access to the names and addresses of Tennesseans with handgun carry permits appear to have a hard time keeping their hands off the records.

An Associated Press records search has found copies of the state’s database of more than 257,000 handgun permit holders were recently requested by the National Rifle Association, the state Republican Party and a direct mail contractor that has done extensive work for the GOP’s legislative caucus.

Yup. Folks who advocated keeping the list private are snooping through it.

Went by the local gun shop to pick up the latest acquisition. No dice. Seems the Tennessee Instant Check System is down.

Odd article, I thought.

TN attorney to challenge red light cameras.

A lot of folks seem upset with the recent TN AG opinion that says a landlord can ban firearms on his property. Well, it’s the landlord’s property and so long as a tenant agrees in the contract or such a requirement is in the rules the tenant agrees to abide by, then that’s a matter of abiding by a contract. If you sign such a contract, you are bound by it. I can’t imagine many people would sign such a contract.

At the NRA convention, I met Ronnie Barrett of Barrett Rifles. Nice guy. This article says he may move the company out of state due to issues with the Tennessee Department of Transportation:

Barrett wants to widen Miller Lane and extend it by 550 feet, at no cost to the city or county.

Barrett says 4 years ago TDOT agreed to the project, but later changed its mind about allowing use of the public right of way along I-24.

He says, “They responded in writing, yes we’re in favor of this. The fence could be moved so the extension could go forward.”

FOX 17 asked TDOT for a comment but since a lawsuit has been field, state officials say they can’t comment on pending litigation.

Barrett recently completed a $4 million expansion, believing TDOT would allow the roadway extension.

Without it, the building isn’t accessible to commercial vehicles.

Despite the Commercial Squeal’s constant yammering, Bartlett did not pass a bill banning guns in parks.

Why does Nashville have 9 helicopters with thermal imaging? More than NYC.

You ever notice how education is always the top priority in an election year as opposed to the rest of the time when everyone couldn’t really give a damn?

Linoge reports that the Tomato Head (makers of crappy pizza that hippies like) has posted a no carry sign. I walked by the Tomato Head in Maryville the other day and didn’t notice a sign. Interestingly, they’re probably one of the first businesses to actually get the sign to comply with the law.

Rep. Debra Maggart is having a clay shoot and a few gubernatorial candidates will be there as well.

The various filings in Tennessee’s restaurant carry lawsuit can be viewed here.

The Tennessee AG has released an opinion which says that pardoned drug offenders can own rifles and shotguns but not handguns. The opinion is here but the page seems down so I haven’t been able to read it yet. But Tom Humphrey notes:

Cooper writes in the opinion released Wednesday that Tennessee’s firearms ban for felons has exceptions for those who have been pardoned, had their convictions expunged or have had their civil rights restored.

But Cooper says the law doesn’t provide those exceptions for handgun ownership by people convicted of certain violent crimes and drug felonies.

I’m not aware of the laws he’s referring to. So it should be an interesting read once the site comes back up. After all, I thought being pardoned and having your rights restored meant that you were actually, err, pardoned and had your rights restored.

Update: Looks like there are two laws at issue. And that a pardon does not erase a crime. Seems the logic is sound but I could see a case being made the other way.

Seen at ACK’s:

Senator Mae Beavers recently supplied a letter describing the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act passed earlier this year to the lead plaintiffs in a suit filed against the federal government, who in September claimed that both the Tennessee and Montana Firearms Freedom Acts were null and void. In the letter, Senator Beavers discussed the overwhelming support for this bill amongst the Tennessee General Assembly, with a total of only eight Senators and Representatives voting against the bill during session.

I really don’t think relying on that bill is a sound legal strategy. The lawyers I’ve talked to agree.

I guess they must have caught some legislators speeding or something because they suddenly realize that they’re are some problems with them.

In a previous post, I noted Ron Ramsey’s claim to be the only gubernatorial candidate with a handgun carry permit. I looked the other Republicans up in the database and figured he was correct. But Ron is apparently the only Republican gubernatorial candidate with a handgun carry permit. Because Democrat candidate Kim McMillan has one as well. More Democrats like this please.

Me and the family went to the Foothills Fall Festival, a pretty big to-do here in The City (My The City). Every year, they shut down a couple of blocks in down town to traffic, get some musical acts, some arts and crafts booths, a few bounce houses for kids, and all manner of good food including funnel cakes and ribbon fries (ribbon fries are awesome, by the way). We parked near down town and went and looked at the various nifty items for sale at the crafts area (including bat boxes and can-jos). We saw a 1,000 pound pumpkin and some tractors. And then, I crossed the line into a (gasp!) public park. At that point, I was violating the law since The City (My The City) opted out of park carry and I had my G-30.

Up to that point, I was on public streets and in a coffee house. In the latter, I was surrounded by hipster doofuses (doofi?). I didn’t know we had those in The City (My The City) as I’d never seen one before.

Anyway, at some point I looked up and realized I was actually in a park. I didn’t really notice entering the park until I was there. I’m a criminal.

I mentioned yesterday that I tried to meet lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey at the Foothills Fall Festival. Well, he decided to just introduce himself in the comments section of that post. And he offers this bit of information:

As you probably know, I carried the bill that allowed for gun carry permits in Tennessee. I am the only candidate for governor that has a carry permit. I am a huge advocate for gun owners in Tennessee, both as a state senator and Lt. Governor.

I was at the Foothills Fall Festival a bit ago and lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey and his posse (that’s what the wife called them) were there mingling with the crowd. I made eye contact and smiled, generally trying to strike up a conversation. I would have asked him if he had anything to say to Tennessee gun rights activists. Except that I never really could get his attention. Oh well. And, no, it’s not that I’m particularly intimidating or crazy-looking. It’s just that he seemed busy. Though it may have helped if I had shaved.

Except, they’re not. The actual flaw is because county clerks fail to report items to the TBI. These checks are used for gun purchases and for state employment, among other things. I wonder if it’s the same check for handgun carry permits as well? After all, there’s been a few cases where people who were legally barred from gun ownership have gotten permits to carry guns.

I wonder if the clerks report accurately to the federal system? Anyway, I would imagine the state needs to fix this. If we’re going to have background checks done by the state, they should work. Otherwise, they may want to use the national system.

Never was a fan of Corker when he ran. He was, in my view, one of the good ol’ boy rich guy network. But he’s started to impress me. Here, he explains why the public option isn’t that a good idea.

Tom Humphrey:

Several legislators criticized the use of cameras to issue traffic tickets Wednesday during a hearing on whether state laws should be revised to put more restrictions on the practice.

Representatives of police departments in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Gallatin told the House Transportation Committee that traffic cameras are reducing accidents and saving lives. But they faced sometimes critical questioning and comments from the lawmakers.

Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, said private companies operating the systems are “making money had over fist” while “intimidating the daylights out of our citizens – particularly the elderly.”

Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, said after Wednesday’s meeting that he opposes “privatizing fines for profit” and suggested consideration of a law to require that companies only receive payment for services rather than splitting revenue with cities, as is now the case in Knoxville and other municipalities.

At Range USA in Memphis:

ZOMBIE NIGHT!

Come test your skills against the attacking horde of the living dead!

Zombie killing night at

Range USA, Inc.

Friday, October 30, 2009 and Saturday, October 31, 2009

6:00pm-9:00pm

Advanced tickets: $10

Tickets at the door: $15

A ticket entitles the bearer to one run through zombie zone and includes the guns and ammo needed to kill the zombies. So, remember if you want to run more than once you need more tickets! We will have semi-autos, full-autos, and other special shotguns and rifles (such as the Kriss Super V).

Woohoo. Kriss Super V.

The one vote Republican majority in the Tennessee House just became a two vote majority.

My personal view is that everyone should adopt a couple.

Kidding aside, in Tennessee, there is a push to allow gays to adopt. And Martin Kennedy says the dumbest things about it:

There is no need for gay adoption, no compelling argument.

Well, if you say so, I have to believe it, I guess. After all, you’re a Kennedy! Actually, there are plenty of compelling arguments. One is that it is better for kids to be in a loving home than in state custody. Even if that home has gay cooties. And there’s also a compelling argument if, say, a parent is killed and willed their children to a gay relative.

Via Aunt B. who says that even though it may make Mr. Kennedy feel bad to be called a bigot, that he is one.

The TN GOP doesn’t have to do much to hurt the local Democrat party. The Dems seem to do a fine job themselves.

Looks like Memphis had their annual let the state destroy evidence free day. I have an old HG revolver somewhere around here that should be converted into a gift card. Any way, looks like the city got 160 or so guns this year. This press report says hundreds participate. Well, I guess 1.6 hundreds.

Michael notes our legislators received an award for openness even though they exempted themselves from open records laws.

Two big gun show promoters don’t really take issue with background checks at gun shows.

In Tennessee, a man is arrested for unlawfully carrying in a park. The stories seem to conflict but that man is, basically, fishing in a park with a gun. One side says there was some sort of argument and the other side denies that.

Also, the police wrote the citation incorrectly.

Via Main Street Journal, who calls it mistaken gun carry.

Apparently, a Democrat ad in Tennessee absurdly says that a Republican supports cloning. Jeff Woods tells them to knock that off. Sticking it to the man and bringing the righteous truth. Odd because absurd claims are more Jeff’s specialty.

Wamp wants to unionize EMTs and police?

ACK tells us that Bloomberg sent investigators to gun shows in Nashville to illegally buy guns. The AP report is here:

Investigators hired by New York City conducted stings at gun shows in states that have not closed the “gun show loophole” and found some vendors openly selling weapons to buyers who admitted they couldn’t pass background checks.

The stings, described in a city report released Wednesday, were conducted at seven gun shows in Tennessee, Ohio and Nevada. Those states are among the many that permit private unlicensed dealers, known as “occasional sellers,” to sell weapons at gun shows without conducting background checks.

A few things. Stings are done by police under color of law, which investigators from NY are not when in Tennessee. The gun show loophole is a scary catchphrase for lawful citizen to citizen transfer of a firearm. And occasional sellers are just regular citizens selling personal firearms.

That said, last time Bloomypoo tried this, the Feds were none too happy because he compromised their investigations.

Private investigators came to Tennessee and unlawfully purchased firearms. Now, if I were Bill Haslam, I’d probably come out with a harshly worded presser right about now blasting Bloomberg’s unlawful actions.

Update: In comments:

Notice that they stayed out of Virginia this time?

I wonder why

Update: In comments, Sean notes that the investigators could have been local. But there was that whole section of the report where they tried to buy guns while saying they were out of state and the dealers were pretty good about asking for drivers’ licenses. That would be illegal in the case of handguns.

George Korda dusts off all the old gun puns to address the gubernatorial race and guns:

It doesn’t matter what party. It doesn’t matter what office. The gun issue shoots straight to the heart of a subject of intense interest to an important bloc of voters. Depending on where they stand, politicians at all levels are either in, or out, of the line of fire.

The headline heard all around Tennessee: 70 cities say no to guns in parks. But the truthiness:

The Union City Daily Messenger printed an article from The Tennessean stating that 70 cities have banned guns in parks.That may sound like alot but below you will find the facts. According to Tnhometownlocator.com there are 95 counties and 343 incorporated cities in Tennessee,that is 438 entities combined.That leaves 368 that have not voted to opt out,or not voted at all.If my math is correct that means 5 out of 6 allow it.So much for fair and balanced media.

Michael Silence at the local paper on the guns in parks stuff:

The shameless grandstanding on this meaningless topic has been pathetic pandering. And by the way, how much time has been spent by various state and local lawmakers this year on guns-in-whatever topics as opposed to say, oh, education?

Trouble is, the pandering by lawmakers, time spent on the issue, and the bogus claim that it was the year of the gun are all overstated and exist largely in the imagination of Tom Humphrey. This year, the legislature passed five or so gun bills out of how many total bills? Hardly a giant margin. Knox County passed one gun resolution, out of how many? Thirty or so? A whopping 3ish%? Hardly an indication of how much time is spent on this.

Where most of the time was spent on these non-issues was at editorial boards and opinion pieces at your paper. Just saying.

Tennessee’s AG, who is ordinarily a pretty pro gun guy, has issued an odd opinion. Essentially, the opinion states that whenever a park is in use by schools that triggers the no guns in schools laws. So, I suppose that if the schools plan a meeting or trip to some other government owned property, those properties mysteriously transform into schools too? An odd opinion, to say the least. And, as a reminder, while the AG likely has considerable sway, his opinions are non-binding.