Okay guys, Tennessee needs your help.....

[HexHead]

Yesterday, after much sturm and drang, the TN State Legislature overrode the Governor's veto to allow legal, licensed handgun carry permit holders to carry into restaurants that serve alcohol as long as we're not drinking. Because TN makes no distinction between restaurants and bars, this applies to bars as well.

A quirk in TN law is that wine and liquor licenses are granted by the State, while beer licenses are granted by the local jurisdiction's beer board.

Immediately on the heels of the State carry law being voted on, the Nashville Metro Council started making noise about forcing any establishment that serves beer to post that handgun carry is not allowed, or lose their beer permit.

Metro Council seems to be all about tourist dollars these days. Please use the link provided (the pull down menu will send your message to ALL Council members) to let them know how you feel about this.

http://www.nashville.gov/council/feedback.aspx

You might also want to let the TN Dept of Tourism how you feel about this as well.

http://state.tn.us/tourdev/contactus.html


Thanks for your help guys.

 

[NickEllis]

Sent in a fairly scathing reply; I will NOT be taking my management team to Nashville several times a year for sporting events and to enjoy eastern Tennessee if we are not allowed to carry our concealed weapons in accordance with state law.

 

[Baron]

Outstanding - thanks all for the help We sure appreciate it here in Nashville

I'm just astounded by the arrogance of the liberals behind this - restaurant carry was overwhelmingly favored by the House, Senate, and populace; you can bet if we were trying to weasel a way to legalize full auto in Davidson County they would be crying that it was against the law.

 

[sarge83]

Get after your legislature to pass a law that over rides the city ordinance on ccw. Then go after the loop hole they are using to do it.

 

[Animal Mother]

If the Nashville city council messes around with this they are liable to get the state legislature riled up enough to pass a state firearms premption statute similar to GA or PA. Then they'd lose any ability to restrict firearms at the local level.

 

[NickEllis]

My letter to the Nashville City Council:

I am the Corporate Operations Officer of a tech company. Several times a year we enjoy taking our entire management team to Nashville to watch a sporting event, visit the downtown area, and enjoy eastern Tennessee. However, I have heard rumors that the city council is considering revoking alcohol licenses unless restaurants buckle to the pressure of posting "no firearms allowed" signs in restaurants.

Every one of my vice presidents and managers legally carry concealed, for the safety of themselves and their families. If this ordinance is allowed, we will not be visiting. The idea that we could not visit Applebee's, Chile's, or any of the major restaurants simply because they serve alcohol is quite repulsive, irresponsible, and ignorant. Will the council be posting security guards or police officers at these locations, under legal liability to protect the patrons? If not, then you have no business removing the right of self defense from law-abiding citizens.

Regards,

Nicholas Ellis

The response I just got from Council Member Duane Dominy:

Thank you for sharing! I find this proposed end-run around the new state law shameful. I assure you that I will do all that is within my power to defend our second amendment rights.

I would also encourage you to attend the upcoming Friends of the NRA banquet here in Nashville on June 13 or one in your area. You may get more information and tickets at the link below.

http://www.friendsofnra.org/Events.aspx?sid=44&sc=TN

Keep up the fight,
Duane Dominy
District 28 Councilman
101 Cherokee Place
Antioch, TN 37013
615-831-0774

 

[hso]

Uh, folks, Nashville is in the middle of the state and not the eastern part of the state. Any reference to East Tennessee will not impress the Nashville City Council. Please limit your references to the tourist dollars that Nashville, not the state of TN, will loose as you take your business elsewhere.

Ohhhh, say, Knoxville in scenic east Tennessee.

 

[c919]

From Tennessee to all, any support on this issue is endlessly appreciated. Thank you all for the emails mentioned in this thread.
+100 to all.

 

[NickEllis]

Another response:

Dear Mr. Ellis,

Councilman Robert Duvall here. I just want to thank you for writing and
supporting our right to carry. I will oppose any and all efforts to
infringe upon our right to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol. I will
spearhead the opposition to any such ordinance(s).

I also happen to be the Chairman of the Friends of the NRA this year, which
is the non-profit arm of the NRA. We raise money to provide funding for
our young people to promote shooting teams & gun safety throughout
Tennessee.

We have our annual banquet approaching. If you have an interest, please
respond to me through this email address.

Sincerely,
Robert Duvall

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Did Tennessee also do a Montana style 10th amendment challenge?

 

[ReadyRob]

I just notified all council members that vacation $'s will go elsewhere if this nonsense continues, and I'm not kidding. Keep us informed please.

Vote w/your $'s, that doesn't need and interrupter.

 

[HexHead]

Did Tennessee also do a Montana style 10th amendment challenge?

Yes, cleared both chambers of the Legislature handily. I can't imagine the Governor not vetoing though. He's looking for a job with the Obama administration.