Tennessee gun laws in the works
Blake reports on a few gun bills proposed in Tennessee. One would allow people not drinking to carry their handguns in establishments that serve alcohol. While I’m lukewarm on this bill, it is a start. My problem with this approach is that you shouldn’t be packing heat while drunk anywhere. It’s just not a good idea. I would extend that to say, in general, if you’re drunk any where, you shouldn’t be carrying. I think packing heat while drunk should be illegal. I think if officer friendly can pull you over for drunk driving, he should be able to also cite you for drunk packing. Conversely, if you’re not drunk in a bar and have a single beer or glass of wine, you shouldn’t go to jail if you happen to strapped.
The second bill, which I wholeheartedly support, would exempt handgun carry permit holders from the background check when purchasing a firearm. At a gun show a few weeks back, me and some friends got together and bought some AR15 kits (about five of them). We also picked up some receivers there. We had to pay an additional $10 per background check. Also, that day there were apparently three gun shows in the state (that’s what the guy we were getting our receivers from said) so the instant check system was significantly less than instant. We had to stand around for a couple of hours while the checks went through. I’m pretty sure we all had carry permits and that would have saved us $10 per check and two hours’ time.
Also, since the background check is the primary reason transfers must go through a dealer, I’d like to see a law exempting CCW permit holders from that requirement. If the state trusts me to carry a gun, it should trust me to buy one too.
March 8th, 2005 at 10:14 am
I believe that it is now the case in NC that NC CCW permit holders don’t need to do the NICS check.
March 8th, 2005 at 10:36 am
It would put pressure on the states to remove CCW licences if we make infractions.
What if you CCW licensces gets revoked, who will the gun dealer know that?
March 8th, 2005 at 11:27 am
In Texas, the ccl means you have already cleared the background check.
I’d like:
1. Three renewals and you get a lifetime liscense.
2. Any CCL reciprocity means you can buy a gun in ANOTHER state IN PERSON besides your own without going through the FFL/shipping jazz.
Let’s remember…they ARE liscensing a right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights as preceeding organized government, (the supriemes found this unconstituional in one previous case),and just doing so to hassle us. It has zero crime function, IMHO.
March 8th, 2005 at 11:33 am
you can still carry (ccw) in a gas station/grocery store (in TN) that sells (but not serves) alcohol cant you?
March 8th, 2005 at 11:37 am
Justin, to my knowledge, that is correct.
March 8th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Umm, how do you get drunk if you are not drinking?
Did I misread your post? I thought the proposed law was for people not drinking. Sounds to me that not drinking would seriously reduce the intoxication factor.
March 8th, 2005 at 3:38 pm
Guy, huh?
March 9th, 2005 at 10:33 am
Your summation of the proposed law:
One would allow people not drinking to carry their handguns in establishments that serve alcohol.
Followed by your objection:
My problem with this approach is that you shouldn’t be packing heat while drunk anywhere.
Again I ask, how do you get drunk if you have not been drinking? The description you gave of the law does not say you can be drunk and packing, it says you can pack if not drinking.
Put another way, why should anybody object to a law that states if you are not consuming alcohol then you need not reveal your weapon? In VA you can stand in a bar, armed, AND drink as long as you are not concealing the weapon. I disagree with the letting people drink while armed part and I would much prefer to be able to go into a bar, drink iced tea and leave the bullet-launcher hidden under my finely tailored double-breasted jacket.
March 9th, 2005 at 10:36 am
Well, people get drunk at places other than a bar. The law only addresses bars.
March 9th, 2005 at 10:40 am
::sigh::
You are one confusing Accountant 🙂
Don’t we get in real bad trouble anyway in Tennessee if we are concealing while drunk? I have forgotten as I do not do that. Pretty easy as I don’t have a pistol yet!
March 9th, 2005 at 10:42 am
I don’t think so. If so, i do not know the law but it may well exist and i’m not aware.
You don’t have a pistol yet? Egad!
March 9th, 2005 at 10:48 am
Yea, the condo down-payment and paying the feds income tax are priorities over the Para pistol I want.
However, I think both of the tactical shotguns fit well under my duster 🙂