Friday, November 20, 2009

Guns-in Bars Law Ruled Unconstitutional

Posted by Jackson Baker on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM

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It’s time once more for pistol-packers to leave their weapons at the door — or with the sheriff. A Nashville chancellor has declared the guns-in-bars bill, passed last spring in the Tennessee legislature, to be unconstitutional. Here is a link to the original story.

Reaction to the decision depended largely on one’s original position. State Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville) vowed to correct the “ambiguity” in the law, cited by Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman, when the legislature reconvenes in January.

State Senator Jim Kyle, on the other hand, rejoiced with the following statement: “I am happy that common sense as well as the rule of law has won the day. I have always believed in the second amendment and will continue to fight to protect it but I fought against allowing guns in bars in the senate because alcohol and firearms do not mix. In the Wild West days of Dodge City you had to check your guns at the town limit so you would think in the twenty-first century common sense would tell us we should not allow guns in bars. I hope my colleagues in both parties in the legislature will once again find their common sense and focus on moving Tennessee forward not jumping to the beat of a special interest with short sighted agenda."

Also happy was Adrienne Pakis-Gillon, Democratic nominee for the District 31 state Senate seat, who in a head to her emailed press release called the now invalidated measure the “Kelsey gun law” after her Republican opponent, former state Rep. Brian Kelsey, one of the bill's co-sponsors. She said in part:

“The voters of District 31 have a chance to stop these kinds of laws and return common sense to the legislature. This ruling gives the restaurant owners who have been troubled by this law a short reprieve. It also gives hope to parents, who knew this law never made sense, that something can be done about other legislation allowing guns in parks. I hope that voters will send me to Nashville to oppose this bill's re-enactment, and let me work for legislation that concerns issues like education and jobs that citizens really care about."

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Thank God for a judge with good sense. Oh, Mr. Kelsey, can we tote our guns to a political rally of yours?

Posted by mayfield on November 20, 2009 at 6:05 PM | Report this comment

The judge appeared to rule that the law was poorly written and impermissibly vague.... not that people should never be allowed to dine while armed.

In other words, a slap in the face to the imbeciles in Nashville, not to those in favor or opposed.

Posted by Powergamz on November 20, 2009 at 6:55 PM | Report this comment

This make it so much more important to get out and vote for Adrienne Pakis-Gillon right now! If we allow Kelsey back in the senate, this bill we be re-written and re-issued within a year! Early voting now thru Nov. 25th. Election Day 12-1!
www.voteadrienne.com

Posted by aerinellis on November 20, 2009 at 11:36 PM | Report this comment
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This is no reason to vote for Adrienne. We still need someone like Brian Kelsey with conservative values who will not pile up the debt on our children. A vote for Brian Kelsey is a vote to help stop this insane spending in Washington. We do not need any more liberals in Tennessee or Washington.

Posted by Malissa on November 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM | Report this comment

JIM KYLE is a clear voice of common sense - he will be a great governor!!

Posted by John A on November 21, 2009 at 1:18 PM | Report this comment

I suppose all the spending ordered by a Rep. president was not insane? And Kelsey is just who we need to get those guns back in restaurants?

Posted by mayfield on November 21, 2009 at 5:16 PM | Report this comment

Now Kelsey is taking credit for something he didn't do...see today's CA.

Posted by mayfield on November 22, 2009 at 2:55 PM | Report this comment

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