Second Amendment Rights: No says the Nashville daily

The Tennessean takes a strike against our constitutional rights to bear arms and to defend ourselves by coming out against the bill recently passed by the State Senate to allow gun carry permit holders to carry handguns in places where alcohol is served. The law is as applicable to restaurants with liquor permits such as O'Charley's as it is to bars, but the Tennessean would lead you to believe that the bill will turn bars into the Wild West.

Senator Doug Jackson (D-Dickson) is the sponsor of the Senate bill that will likely be killed in the State House by Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington). Senator Jackson notes the importance of this bill:

One of the deadliest shooting rampages in recent history was an incident that occurred in Killeen, Texas.

On that day in 1991, a deranged man carrying an illegal weapon drove his truck into a Luby's Cafeteria, where he opened fire, killing 23 innocent victims and wounding 20 others.Present at the Luby's was a Texas state representative, Suzanna Gratia Hupp. Because the restaurant did not allow guns, Rep. Hupp left her handgun in her vehicle. She watched helplessly as George Hennard executed both of her parents. Such horrific violence may have been prevented had Rep. Hupp been able to carry her handgun and effectively exercise her right to self-defense.

So, if I go to a restaurant that serves alcohol, is it safer to leave my gun in my car or to carry it so I know where it is at all times? Currently, the law only restricts gun carry by law abiding citizens. If you are in favor of this bill, SB23, contact your legislator and contact State House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington).

Income tax rearing its head again?

Today's Tennessean has a preview of the legislative session that begins tomorrow. Of particular note is House Democratic Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's quote on taxes:

Other points of partisan contention will include taxes, with Republicans pushing to lower the state sales tax. Democrats, Naifeh said, have some reservations in a year when the budget is tight and the economy is stalling. "I'd like to see how to replace that with a stable source of income," he said. [Emphasis added.]

Any long time follower of Tennessee politics will know that "a stable source of income" is Democratic code for a state income tax. Bill Hobbs has more.