Posted on 03/12/2016 6:17:58 AM PST by molewhacka
Senator Mark Green presented his constitutional carry bill (SB1483) today in the Senate Judiciary committee. This bill would have, as amended, imposed only the burden on a citizen of obtaining at least 8 hours of training from any state approved, law enforcement or military certified firearms training instructor and that the citizen carry proof of such training.
The bill is retained at present in Senate Judiciary on a 4-4-1 vote as discussed below. The bill is not defeated but it can be placed back on notice under the Senate rules or it can be moved by the sponsor, Senator Green, to be brought directly to the Senate floor for debate and a vote.
Senator Mark Green did a great job of presenting and defending the bill. You can view the video of his presentation on the bills legislative page under the video tab.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1483
You should also watch the video and pay particular attention to other other segments of the video but only if you have a strong stomach.
First, Sen. Kerry Roberts made very compelling statements and challenges to the existing system and question why a constitutional right is burdened by the State of Tennessee with fees and hurdles. Those of you in Senator Greens and Senator Roberts districts should contact them and congratulate them.
However, there was extremely troubling testimony from Colonel Tracy Trott (Tennessee Department of Safety https://www.tn.gov/safety/article/trottbio) suggesting that its necessary for the State to regulate and continue to charge citizens for the exercise of a constitutionally protected right. It is important to realize that this bill does not eliminate permits for reciprocity or other purposes. Col. Trotts testimony against this legislation is, although difficult to summarize, troubling and perhaps calls into question why a public official, who is sworn to uphold and protect our constitutional rights, is engaging in what appears to be an open act of official oppression designed specifically to infringe our civil rights a constitutionally recognized and protected civil right. Most likely, it is because his ultimate boss, Bill Haslam, opposes citizens carrying firearms as a constitutional right despite his promises to the contrary. See, www.tennesseefirearms.com/haslam
If you would like to contact Col. Tracy Trott after you have watched his testimony here is his contact information:
Colonel Tracy G. Trott Tennessee Highway Patrol 1150 Foster Ave. Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 251-5175 Fax: (615) 532-1051 tracy.trott@tn.gov
Now, to the problem that implicates why we have elections and the issues of veracity.
Reported verbal commitments from legislators in advance of the meeting indicated that we should have had a six to three vote on the bill. The six expected votes ran on party lines with the two Democrats (Sen. Lee Harris and Sen. Sarah Kyle) along with Sen. Doug Overby, a Republic who normally votes like a Democrat all expected to vote against the bill. However, contact had been made with all six of the other Republicans and they were expected to vote for the bill: Sen. Mike Bell, Sen. Janice Bowling, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, Sen. Brian Kelsey, Sen. Kerry Roberts and Sen. John Stevens.
However, when the votes were taken only four votes were cast in favor of the bill: Sen. Mike Bell, Sen. Janice Bowling, Sen. Brian Kelsey, and Sen. Kerry Roberts. Each of these deserve a thank you for their votes.
Significantly, it could be argued that two of the remaining Republicans Sen. Todd Gardenhire and Sen. John Stevens are solely and exclusive at fault for holding this legislation hostage in the committee. Sen. Gardenhire passed that is he pulled a Barack Obama and was present but not voting. Equally troubling but not totally unexpected was Sen. John Stevens who voted no on the bill. Those of you who live in the districts of these two senators or anywhere in the state should let them know how you feel about their actions (and you may even want to consider running against them in their 2016 primary races since both of them appear to be up for re-election this year!)
Sen. Todd Gardenhire sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov 301 6th Avenue North Suite 11A Legislative Plaza Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: (615) 741-6682 Fax: (615) 253-0209
District Address P.O. Box 4506 Chattanooga, TN 37405
Sen. John Stevens sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov 301 6th Avenue North Suite 302 War Memorial Bldg. Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: (615) 741-4576 Fax: (615) 253-0161
District Address 161 Court Square Huntingdon, TN 38344 (731) 986-9742
This battle is not over but we have to accept that Bill Haslam, his minions and too many people living their lives on your tax dollars, as well as several elected officials, are doing everything in their powers to oppress your rights.
Eight hours of training . That’s not constitutional. I’d rather have my local system; $20 and about 20 minutes.
The TFA would agree with you. Unfortunately, in Tennessee, even the politicians that say they support the Second Amendment don’t really mean it.
The current cost to obtain a carry permit ranges from $102.50-500 (3 year permit to life permit), plus you have to take an approved class ($50). That is a lot of hassle and expense to exercise a constitutionally-protected right and there are a lot of people making money off of the racket.
Of course it’s not constitutional, but hey, a lot of instructors stand to make a lot of money from this training requirement.
And then, having to carry proof of instruction effectively makes that proof into a permit.
IMO, this bill should not be passed in its current form.
Drilling (as the charming olde Englishe put it, well regulated) was part of the social contract of the 2nd Amendment. I’d sooner it be voluntary than mandatory. A step in this direction would be to raise up and qualify free voluntary instruction from folks like the NRA, to lessen or eliminate the racket factor.
Doesn’t matter where I go, I carry without a permit, all the time. The exception being where I could be searched, and that so far has only been courthouses.
Drilling may have been part of the social contract surrounding the Second Amendment, but it was not required by the amendment itself.
I absolutely agree that training should be voluntary rather than mandatory. I’m all in favor of training, to the extent that I will even pay to get training — voluntarily.
I like the idea of making free instruction capable of satisfying the training requirement. I wonder what lame excuses will be offered claiming that such instruction wouldn’t be acceptable.
And, of course, some towns have a blanket policy of not issuing carry licenses, period.
Keep pushing for your rights in Tennessee, don't let them get their nose under tent. It sounds like you folks have a chance to roll back some of this stuff, so keep up the pressure.
2016, there are some politicians up for reelection this year.
THP's Colonel Tracy Trott will not be there when I come home late at night in my rural community and make sure I can enter my home safely. I live alone so if I was stabbed or shot who would know? Colonel Tracy Trott will not be there when I go out for some groceries and some thug with a fake name that a judge just turned loose tries to rob or do me physical harm. In short Colonel Tracy Trott can not guarantee my safety nor can anyone except myself and that is only if I am armed do I stand a chance. The state of Tennessee is a Perp Friendly State. You can't even carry a bat or club in your vehicle.
Perhaps Colonel Tracy Trott, Republicans Sen. Todd Gardenhire and Sen. John Stevens, need to read The Constitution and the Constitution of Tennessee and uphold and defend rather than subvert it. Perhaps they should resign if they feel it is how they interpret it to mean and not what it actually says.
Our founding fathers gave us the right to keep and bare arms for good reasons including addressing tyranny in case government grossly overthrows the Constitutional restraints placed upon it and for our own self defense. Our Creator gave us the right to defend our families and ourselves whom family depends on.
Why? Why is there always both on a national and state level a few useless GOP sellouts who are much more Liberal Democrats or enablers than Conservative? These kind of sellouts are ones who always manage to throw a wrench in the works to stop and prevent any reforms and taking back our nation efforts. Corker and Alexander included on a national level.
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