October 9, 2017
Nashville Public Radio reports today
that Senator Mae Beavers is the only candidate for governor of
Tennessee in 2018 who supports adoption of Constitutional Carry in
Tennessee. A growing number of states have adopted constitutional carry
in the last few years - 14 have adopted constitutional carry and approximately 30 have no permitting or training requirements for "open carry". Despite having a super majority of Republican legislators since 2011, Tennessee is now “behind the pack” of states
moving forward on this issue. What the responses of the candidates - except for Mae Beavers - is that they do not make their policy decisions based on what the constitutions say. They want to "rule" our lives based on what "big government" and "law enforcement" thinks is best for you without regard to constitutional limits or requirements.
The Nashville Public Radio story reports:
Q: Do you believe Tennesseans should be able to carry handguns without getting permits?
Republicans
Randy Boyd: So, I’ve spent a lot of time talking
with law enforcement agents, and most of them are opposed to it, and I
want to support law enforcement. However, I do believe that the carry
permit process is maybe extraordinarily burdensome. I recently got a
carry permit about four months ago. It took me eight hours and cost $85.
I personally think it could’ve been free and done in an hour. So, I
think maybe there’s some happy medium there where we can do it more
efficiently and still meet the requirements that law enforcement
officers are wanting us to meet.
Beth Harwell: I think our permit system has
worked very well in this state. It’s certainly is, I think, good for
gun-carrying permit holders to have a reciprocal agreement with states
around us, which they would lose if we went to “constitutional carry.”
So, it actually could hold back some rights that we have given to people
in the state of Tennessee to bear arms. However, I will say I
understand the constitutional argument for it, and should the
legislature in its wisdom pass it, I would sign it as governor.
Bill Lee: I don’t. Primarily because I’m a guy
who’s listening to law enforcement and what they believe, and law
enforcement is very much against that. I do however believe in Second
Amendment rights, and I truly believe we ought to expand those Second
Amendment rights by reducing and/or eliminating the fees associated with
a carry permit. So, I believe we should expand Second Amendment rights,
but I believe we ought to keep in place background checks and safety
requirements.
Mae Beavers: I believe in constitutional carry,
if you legally own a gun, because I think our Second Amendment rights
guarantee us that. Remember, I’m talking about when you legally own a
gun — not if you stole it — but if you legally own a gun, you’ve gone
through the background checks. They’ve found out you’re not a criminal.
So why shouldn’t you be able to.
Diane Black: Well, I do think the current system
is working. I think that we should continue the current system, but if
the legislature sends me a bill, I will sign it. I do believe there is a
constitutional guarantee to a right to defend yourself. And, again, I
think our system is working well, but I certainly would sign a bill if
it comes to my desk.
Democrats
Karl Dean: I am a supporter of the Second
Amendment, but I believe the gun laws that we have right now are
adequate. I think they cover what needs to be covered and I don’t see a
need for a change.
Craig Fitzhugh: Well, I don’t know about that.
That’s what you’d call anybody carries for any purpose. I don’t think
that’s a good idea. I think there should be some control so that we can
try to have for the ability of people who are not qualified for whatever
reason — no fault of their own, maybe some mental issues or health
issues and physical issues like that — they just can’t handle a firearm.
So, I do think there does need to be a permit process.
If you want to wage in on the battle to elect someone to the office of governor who puts the constitution first and is a true public steward of your rights, please take a moment and go to the TFA's PAC website and make a donation so that we can raise the funds to restore our rights.
Yours
John Harris
Executive Director
Tennessee Firearms Association
TFA Website: www.tennesseefirearms.com
TFA PAC: www.tfalac.org
Facebook TFA Page: www.facebook.com/Tennfirearms/
Facebook TFA Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TennesseeFirearms/
Twitter: @Tennfirearms
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