Tennessee Firearms Association Knoxville Chapter

THE NOVEMBER MEETING WILL BE HELD ON

TUESDAY EVENING November 2, 2010

Our guest speaker will be TFA member David Borum who will speak on ongoing efforts with TVA to allow permit holders to carry on TVA lands. David will also give some insight on letter writing to politicians and organizations such as TVA.

Meetings are held at the Gondolier Restaurant in South Knoxville just off Chapman Highway, behind the iHop, in the Lowe’s plaza, the gratuity will no longer be added to your check. A pre-meeting social hour is from 6 PM to 7 pm during which you may wish to eat dinner. The meeting will begin at 7 PM and end at 8 PM. Participation by those in attendance is always encouraged. Firearms are permitted in this restaurant, pursuant to current law.

Gun owners, persons involved in the shooting sports, Second Amendment supporters and interested public are urged to attend, YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND. For more information contact:

Bill Noll; wsnoll@comcast.net 865-688-0321 or

Charlie Thoms; Cthoms43@aol.com 865-233-4561

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TFA Websites:

http://www.tennesseefirearms.com

http://www.tfaonline.org/memberforum - open to the public. Good discussions

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“That the citizens of the State have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defense, but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime.” Tennessee Constitution, Article 1-Declaration of Rights, section 26

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennessee Governor's race, the final week

Last year, Bill Haslam met with the Knoxville Tennessee Firearms Assocation (TFA) group, and indicated he was in the learning mode. Many were skeptical, including this writer. He went on to recommend to the Knoxville City Council that they keep their 1962 parks ban in place. Indications were that he had not learned enough at that time.

More recently, however, Haslam has addressed the Nashville area TFA group, and his statements indicate he has learned. At that meeting, he indicated that he would sign a permit-less (Constitutional) carry bill if it was sent to him by the Legislature(video). And today's News-Sentinel story has him in favor of parking lot carry.

In contrast Mike McWherter, indicates his elitist disregard for the rights of Tennessee firearms owners. He thinks that we hillbillies can't be trusted to use good judgement, and therefore: 1) should not have had the restaurant carry bill passed this year, 2) surely can not be trusted with carrying a firearm until after we get our permission slip from the state, and 3) states his opposition to keeping a defensive firearm in a parking lot at one's place of employment. See his comments in the News-Sentinel links above.

Here's a quick look at the three issues I raise with McWherter - -

1. Restaurant carry: It is now law in Tennessee. No gunfights reported as a result. Lawful citizens are still good citizens, even when they are packin' heat.  Just like in the many other states where this has been law for years (handgunlaw.us).
2. Constitutional carry: Vermont has had this for decades. Alaska and Vermont now have it. And vehicle carry is legal in most states contiguous to Tennessee without a permit required (handgunlaw.us). Open carry (not concealed) on the person without a permit is lawful in five states contiguous to Tennessee(opencarry.org).
3. Parking lot carry: First, you must come to grips with the idea that a disgruntled employee will not be stopped or slowed down by a no guns policy in the building or the parking lot. Second, to prevent an employee from having the means to self-preservation available (under the guise of property rights) is unconscionable.

In conclusion, we can hope that Haslam has learned. And it is obvious that McWherter, in a typical leftist stance, opposes individual gun rights, and wants to keep as many impediments as possible limiting the right to keep and bear arms.

Vote Haslam!

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Accidental firearms discharges

Tonight, CNBC is doing a piece of the Remington 700 rifle. There are allegations that it is unsafe. If that is the case, I just wonder how Remington could have avoided serious legal judgments over the years. Anyway, the truth will eventually come out.

Closer to home, a Knox County jailer is reported by the Knoxville News-Sentinel to have accidentally shot a friend in the hip. The story goes like this. The friend didn't like guns, the jailer attempted to clear his gun in the confines of the back seat, and fired the gun, striking the friend in the front seat.
The friend was treated and released.

The jailer is now back at work, but can never be a bonded deputy in Knox County.

 __________________________________

You will have an accidental discharge!

said Bob W, my instructor when I got the mandatory training for the Tennessee handgun carry permit. I had been shooting for nigh on forty years when I took that class, but had yet to have the dreaded accidental discharge (AD). But, my time was coming.

It was several years after that, and I had finished a session at the range. I cleared the ancient Ruger pistol, and pointed it at the ground in front of me, downrange. I pulled the trigger to drop the hammer, and instead of hearing a click, I heard a BANG!

Bob was right. I had now had my AD. Eventually, my heart slowed down, and I learned a lesson.

This jailer's event reminds us that we should never deviate from Cooper's* four fundamental rules of gun safety:

1. All firearms are always loaded.
2.  Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target.
4.  Be sure of your target and what is behind it.

It appears from the newspaper reports that he violated rule two, and maybe rule three. But, not to add to his misery, we should all take a lesson from his experience. You see, we are all by virtue of being human, imperfect. So, if we faithfully attempt to follow all four, there is some redundancy built in . . .  and if we miss one, the other three may keep us from a regretful experience.

Another lesson, too - If you have a friend that dislikes guns so much that they want you to disarm, maybe you should find new friends.

*For more info: Jeff Cooper

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Wisconsin knife decision affirms Second Amendment

Last week, Circuit Court Judge Jon M. Counsell ruled that the Wisconsin statute that bans concealed carry of a weapon, sec. 941.23 -

...is unconstitutional on its face as overly broad in violation of the Second and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.

This ruling was made in the case of a person arrested for having a knife under his shirt. The judge did not limit his decision to knives, but included firearms, as well. You can read the original PDF of the ruling HERE.

This is the second such thing to have come out of Wisconsin recently, the first being a decision by Wisconsin DA Gerald R Fox that he will not prosecute certain gun cases. You can read my previous column on that decision HERE.

Counsell states that people in Wisconsin

...are faced with a Hobson’s choice—go unarmed (thus not able to act in self defense), violate the law (and risk jail/fines) or (as some would argue) carry openly.

Of note to those of us in Tennessee, if you don't have a (costly) Handgun Carry Permit issued by or recognized by the State of Tennessee, you have one less choice than the Cheeseheads - go unarmed or violate the law. A Hobson's choice indeed!

Worthy of note is the fact that Open Carry (OC) is legal in Wisconsin, but citizens find themselves being prosecuted for disorderly conduct for doing so, as reported HERE.

Remember, the Second Amendment is not about duck hunting; and it is not just about guns.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Bring home the M1's

The State Department has banned the return of M-1 Garand's and M-1 Carbines from Korea. These guns were sold (given?) to Korea years ago to provide them with infantry weapons, as we upgraded our infantry arsenal with the M-14 and M-16.

M-1 Garand Images from CMP website

Now, Korea is seeking to sell these to U.S. collectors and shooters, to provide funding for upgrading their arsenals. But the State Department is attempting to block the return of these war heroes' weapons to their homeland.

According to Fox News, a State Department spokesperson said:

The transfer of such a large number of weapons -- 87,310 M1 Garands and 770,160 M1 Carbines -- could potentially be exploited by individuals seeking firearms for illicit purposes,"

This statement just doesn't ring true, considering that retail purchasers of these rifles and carbines would have to go through the same FBI background check (or a state alternative) as a person who purchases one of these rifles now from the Federal inventory, at the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

So on the one hand, State says, "Bad, we can't import," and on the other hand, CMP has been delivering them to Knoxville citizens' doors for decades.

You can read more about the congressional attempt to alter this course of action by Hillary Clinton's forces HERE. Don't forget, it is Clinton's party that brought us the Goldilocks gun ban in 1994, as well as other laws that limit citizens' right to keep and bear arms; while doing nothing to effectively eliminate crime.

Remember this when you vote in 22 days.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

The Book of Two Guns

Learning to use a firearm effectively requires time and training. There are many good schools, such as Gunsite in Arizona, Thunder Ranch in Oregon, and classes taught everywhere by Massad Ayoob. Closer home to Tennessee, just down in Langston, Alabama, is Shootrite Firearms Academy, run by Tiger McKee.


Tiger teaches a variety of courses, including handgun, carbine, and precision rifle; and will also customize courses to his students' needs. He teaches everything from NRA basic courses to advanced techniques with the firearms.

Now, suppose you are interested in Tiger's teaching, but can't yet make the trip to Alabama, then you should get his book, The Book of Two Guns. I just finished reading this unique, excellent book.

Unique in that it is all hand written, and full of sketches.

Excellent in that it covers many techniques that can save your life in a lethal encounter.

• Did you ever wonder how to pie a corner? Tiger tells you how. 
• What if your strong hand is injured, and you need to draw from your right side with your left hand? Tiger tells you how.

Illustration from Shootrite website

You can hear Tiger in interviews with Tom Gresham on Guntalk HERE. And The Book of Two Guns is available at Amazon by clicking HERE.

Nothing substitutes for training with a real live instructor, but you can still learn a lot by reading and practicing the techniques taught in this book.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Train like you fight

It seems like a great idea to me. Check it out at Death Valley Magazine.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Regions Bank gun ban?

I see now in an email from Suzanne Burghardt of Regions that Regions Bank is banning guns on their premisis. What does this mean to lawful permit holders?

If you go into their banks while carrying your sidearm, you are no longer lawful. Instant criminal!

So, I will stay away from Regions. If you have an account with them, then consider carefully whether or not you want to continue to do business with them. Changing banks is a pain, but continuing to go into a gun free zone could prove to be foolish.

Now, there is a bank in Texas that welcomes folks with carry permits.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennessee gubernatorial race - final days

The primaries are over. There are several independant candidates out there, but history has shown they are just not going to be real players. That means the only real choice one has is to go with either Haslam or McWherter.

So, between the two, who do you choose?

Last January, the big Tennessee newspapers, including the News-Sentinel of Knoxville, ran a piece titled, Candidates on the Issues - Guns. I followed up with my analysis of their report HERE. The scores could range from +12 to -12.

Haslam lost points because of his stance on guns in parks, and scored +6.

McWherter scored -12. His views appear to reflect the typical Democratic big brother elitist attitude of Leftist politicians. He doesn't appear to trust the average Joe with the ability to make sound judgement. His answers make me think he would take the veto pen to pro gun rights legislation.

Go study the two links, then make your choice.

I am going with Haslam.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennessee 7th Senatorial District - - Campfield or Walker?

With five weeks left until the election, it is time for Knoxville citizens to revisit these candidates' response to the Gun Rights Quiz. Stacey Campfield and Randy Walker are running for the 7th Tennessee Senate seat.

Their responses to the Gun Rights Quiz are listed for Campfield HERE, and for Walker HERE. You can click the links to see their responses.

Here is my brief analysis --

Campfield believes there is only one reasonable gun law, the Second Amendment. Walker was not specific, he simply restated his support for the right to keep and bear arms (makes me think of John Kerry).

When asked about Vermont style carry, meaning carrying with no permit required (Now legal in Vermont, Alaska, and Arizona), Campfield is agreeable. Walker said,

I am unfamiliar with the laws in the State of Vermont, but I do support Tennessee’s gun laws.

Walker was rather vague with all his answers, repeatedly stating his support for the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Campfield, on the other hand, has a voting record that shows a strong pattern of support for the individual right of self protection.

Campfield, also, has consistently shown his concern for the unborn citizen, through proposed legislation, and his voting record.

So, I recommend Campfield.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Say Uncle - 5 megavisitors

Say Uncle reports five million visitors to his blog.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Conservative obituary

The late Donald Unsworth of Rome, GA, appears to have been quite conservative. His obituary includes this request from his family:

The family respectfully asked in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or to the campaign of whoever is running against President Barack Obama in 2012.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

TVA parks last holdout against lawful carry

Last February, a Federal law went into effect that allowed handgun carry in National Parks. This law requires that the National Parks conform to state laws in the state(s) the parks are located in. For example, if the park is located in Tennessee, the park conforms to Tennessee law; if in North Carolina, the park conforms to North Carolina.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, near Knoxville, straddles the line, and is in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Now, as a result of the Federal law, and a Tennessee law passed last year, people with Tennessee carry permits (or permits from other states, which are recognized by Tennessee) are able to carry in the Smokies. See related story HERE.

The Tennessee Parks Carry law that the Federal law conforms to allows for carry in state, county, and city parks, provided the local governments do not opt out. (In the case of Knoxville, there is local prohibitive ordinance that dates to 1962 that was grandfathered in last year. I'm guessing it was a Jim Crow law; and the Knoxville City council decided to keep it in effect.)

As it stands now, National Forests (part of the U. S. Department of Agriculture) have long been neutral towards firearms. National Parks are now on board, perhaps reluctantly recognizing the Second Amendment. But the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) still posts their properties against lawful handgun carry. . . .

In an effort to find out if there are any plans at TVA to move towards recognizing the Right to Carry, as enumerated in the Bill of Rights, and affirmed by the Supreme Court, I queried TVA:

tvainfo@tva.gov
Tue, Sep 21, 2010
subject    Handgun Carry Permits  
  
In February, A law went into effect requiring National Parks to conform to state laws for parks, allowing those with Handgun Carry Permits to carry their defensive firearm in the National Parks.

Does TVA follow the same procedure? If not, is there any plan to? Is this being looked at?

Thanks,

Liston Matthews
Knoxville

I got this reply from TVA:

Fri, Sep 24, 2010
subject    Handgun Carry Permits

Mr. Matthews

Thank you for your inquiry.  TVA is aware of the laws affecting National Parks and firearms.  Currently unless otherwise posted, possession and use of firearms and other weapons is permissible subject to all applicable state regulations on TVA land.  TVA doesn't allow hunting or the possession of firearms at developed recreation areas (campgrounds, picnic and boat launch areas), or power plant and hydro electric dam reservations.  At this time there are no proposed changes to TVA rules involving these developed areas.

Phyllis Wissel
TVA Environmental Information Center
800-882-5263

Seeing that there are "no proposed changes" to TVA rules, I asked the following of TVA:

Fri, Sep 24, 2010
subject    Re: Handgun Carry Permits
  
So, are you saying that as far as TVA is concerned, The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for personal defense, as affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States in the Heller and McDonald cases, does not apply in campgrounds, picnic, and boat launch areas?

Does TVA keep TVA police officers posted at these areas to provide for the security of citizens that your policy disarms?

I would appreciate an answer to both these questions.

Thank you,

Liston Matthews

If and when I get a reply, I will post it here. It seems unconscionable to me that this Government Bureaucracy continues to disarm law-abiding citizens, in view of the recent Supreme Court decisions.
What do you think?

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Justice Clarence Thomas visits University of Tennessee

Official photo from the public domain

Justice Clarence Thomas is visiting Knoxville and the University of Tennessee this week. Thomas judged a moot court at UT Law School, and is attending the UT vs. Florida football game today. For more on his visit see Matt Lakin's News-Sentinal column here.

Thomas was the sole justice of the Supreme Court to apply the Privileges and Immunities Clause to the McDonald case earlier this year, writing a concurring opinion agreeing with the majority.

Thomas believes in the original intent of the Constitution, as has been seen in his votes and opinions. The McDonald case was a landmark case argued by attorney Alan Gura on behalf of Otis McDonald of Chicago.

This suit was supported by Alan Gottlieb and the Second Amendment Foundation, which is "Winning firearms freedom one lawsuit at a time."

The McDonald case is important to Tennesseeans because it "incorporates" the Second Amendment to all state and local governments.

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Subscribe by clicking on the link at upper right.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

America at the Crossroads

I went to a great service tonight at Grace on Western Avenue. It was the first in a three part series titles America at the Crossroads. We meet again tomorrow at Wallace Memorial, then Tuesday at Concord.

America's problems won't be solved at the White House or the State House, but at the Church House, when God's people humble ourselves, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Only then will he heal our land.

Come join us the next two nights if you live within driving distance of Knoxville.

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.

Bruce Pearl

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

That's what my mama told me.

If Coach Bruce Pearl's mama told him, I guess he forgot. To the tune of two million bucks. No silence about that one.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Assault on the Second Amendment

All the way back to the Persians telling the Spartans to lay down their arms, governments have attempted to disarm people. The Spartan's reply was Molon Labe (Come and Take Them). Joseph Jarret, Knox County Law Director began his excellent presentation to the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA), with a reference to this historic battle of Thermopylae.

Thus began Jarret's discussion on the assault on the Second Amendment, and the two major views of the Second Amendment, the individual view, like free speech and the collectivist view.
He noted that many politicians and judges have held to the collectivist view.

Joseph G. Jarret

Jarret spoke of the historic support for the individual view, going back to the Anglo-Saxon requirement to bear arms for militia service. He noted that even today, Switzerland has virtually no violent crime, and that most Swiss have a military issue firearm in the home.

He referenced Great Britain, noting that the English got a Bill of Rights in 1689. Then in 1997, Britain's Firearms Act virtually disarmed all British subjects, yet three million illegal guns have flooded the island nation since then. (Let me see . . . American prohibitions on alcohol did not work well either.) Jarret said that the city of Manchester, England, is now called Gunchester.

Jarret noted that there is 'fear and loathing' of firearms in the Beltway. The latest example of this is the Obama Administration's ban on importation of M1 Garand rifles and M1 Carbines from South Korea. Their fear is that these guns might fall into the wrong hands. (Never mind that one mail order a Garand directly from the Government for as little as $495.00 + Shipping)

Jarret also spoke briefly about the McDonald v Chicago case, one of the most important Second Amendment cases ever. He points to multiple lawsuits around the nation which will over time restore more and more of the Second Amendment.


Jarret was asked whether or not there had been any problems with 'Parks Carry' by permitted individuals since it was voted in last year by the Knox County Commission. He said that the sheriff is a client of his (as are the county mayor and commission) and there have been no problems at all.

He was also asked about the current ban on carry in the Knox County libraries. He said this could be addressed by the new library director and mayor. (Perhaps there should be some citizen contact made with these public servants.)

Photos by Liston Matthews

  

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Veterans beware

Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State, and Knoxville has had its share of men and women go off to war for Flag and Country.

Now we learn from Fort Smith Gun Rights Examiner Steve Jones of a veteran who has administratively lost his Second Amendment rights.

This veteran, Wayne Irelan, was declared, with the stroke of a bureaucratic pen, a prohibited person. This means that Irelan may no longer own or possess a firearm, under Federal law.

It gets worse. No one who lives in his home may own or possess a firearm there. So, by extension, his family members have become prohibited persons, thus denied the best tool to provide for their own defense against unlawful aggression.

So, veterans, if you find yourself being asked by the Veterans Administration to sign any documents assigning anyone as a guardian of your checkbook or anything else . . . BEWARE!

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Save ten bucks. Join NRA or renew here for only $25.00.

Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

When is an adult not really an adult?

The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) has prohibited, since passage, young adults from purchasing handguns from Federally licensed dealers.


Many young people coming of age since then have been able to drive a car (since 16), potentially a very lethal weapon. They have been able to enter into contracts and marriage, voluntarily join the armed services, and in times past, they have been involuntarily drafted into those services.

Yet, they are not really considered 'fully adult' until they reach age 21. They can not go down to Joe's Gun Shop and buy a handgun.

Now, the NRA has filed suit to change this situation. The case is D'Cruz v. BATFE.

Thanks for the tip to gunbloggers.com

I can already hear the whining and sniveling from the Left about how these folks are irresponsible, etc., etc.

But, my observation is that birthday count has little to do with actual maturity and responsibility.  . .


What do you think?

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Save ten bucks. Join NRA or renew here for only $25.00.

Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.