Post by goomba on Jun 1, 2009 20:54:37 GMT -5
Tennessee: Clergy say gun bill wins no religious rights
As Tennessee lawmakers ponder their next move in the guns in bars tangle that ended last week with a veto from Gov. Phil Bredesen, local clergymen are questioning what the legislation is supposed to accomplish.
“When you put a gun in the hand of someone who is under the influence of alcohol, you’re really mixing a bloody cocktail,” said the Rev. Robert Hogan, East Tennessee Baptist Association moderator and interim director of missions.
If the bill’s supporters thought they were courting the religious right, Mr. Hogan said they missed the mark.
“You’re not courting us by allowing something like that,” he said. “The religious right doesn’t condone violence. You’re not courting us by giving the possibility of more violence and bloodshed.”
Following the governor’s veto Thursday of the bill allowing handgun-carry permit holders to bring loaded firearms into establishments selling alcohol, supporters said they would seek an override vote in the Tennessee General Assembly that could come as early as this week.
Overriding a veto in the 99-member House and 33-member Senate requires a simple majority. At least two Hamilton County lawmakers say they plan to support the expected override.
“I would vote to overturn it,” Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, who supported House Bill 962, said Friday.
I'm not courting the religious right. and the bill is NOT about guns in bars....the bill is called "resturaunt carry" for a reason.
our Gov. needs to do some reading. and stop calling it "guns in bars"
