Two new laws in Tennessee give back some gun rights to it’s citizens, much to the dismay of the Tennessee governor and the New York Times. The laws allow the concealed carry of a firearm into places 
that serve alcohol, and the assertion of the 10th Amendment for any firearms made and sold in Tennessee.
While the ranting by the increasingly irrelevant New York Times is expected, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s opposition to the state’s citizens is highly concerning.
The first law, dubbed the ‘guns in bars’ law by the not-so-unbiased media, would allow someone who is lawfully carrying a concealed firearm to enter an establishment that sells alcohol, such as Chilis, Applebees, and any other neighborhood restaurant. The law allows legally armed citizens a greater measure of safety when taking friends and family out for a nice dinner.
The same law, which does not allow the armed citizen to consume alcohol while carrying a firearm, was initially vetoed by Bredesen. Thankfully, the Tennessee legislature overrode his veto.
The second new Tennessee law is the latest in a trend of state firearms laws taking direct aim at the US Congress’s use of the “interstate commerce” clause of the US Constitution. Though the US government has no authority to regulate firearms directly under the US Constitution, the Congress has stretched their authority under the interstate commerce clause to regulate many aspects of firearm sales, possession, and ownership of them.
Tennessee, as Montana before them, passed a law that excludes all federal laws and regulations of, and relating to, firearms manufactured in Tennessee for sale only in Tennessee. This law relies on the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution and the argument that there is no interstate commerce, and therefore no way that Congress can invoke the interstate commerce clause.
The Tennessee governor stated he is opposed to the law, but he would allow the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act to become law without his signature so it could be quickly challenged in court and overturned.
Bredesen called the concept of states’ rights “…a fringe constitutional theory” when applied to the manufacture of firearms in Tennessee.
Bresden is clearly not fulfilling his duty as the chief executive in Tennessee. As the governor, he is responsible for enforcing and defending the laws of the state, even the ones he may not like. Instead his position is to get the law into the court system where the law, passed by the elected representatives of the people, can be tossed out.
The people’s will be damned, eh Gov’ner?
Other articles that will amaze you:
- New York Governor Wants More Gun Control: Patterson Targets Law Abiding Gun Owners and Dealers
- Louisiana Governor Jindal Signs Worker Protection Bill Into Law
- Montana Firearms Freedom Act: Montana Moves Toward Independence From Federal Gun Control Laws
- Anti-Gun Bills Pending in New York Senate Committee
- AZ Governor Vetoed Pro-Gun Reform Bill: Gov. Napolitano Denies Your Ability to Carry a Firearm in Your Privately Owned Car Again!