Maybe he is wanting another office in TN after all
The Governor said of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act that he let become law without signing:
This bill is not about firearms. It is about a fringe constitutional theory that I believe will be quickly dispensed with by the federal courts.
He calls federalism and the tenth amendment fringe and then proceeds to say:
While I share the General Assembly’s commitment to federalism, this legislation contravenes our Constitution.
ACK takes the governor to task on his inconsistency. And I agree. But I wonder why he did not veto it? Unless he realized how much damage was done when he broke a campaign promise and vetoed the guns in restaurants bill. Maybe he is considering further office in the state.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:09 am
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia,AND FOR GOVERNING SUCH PART OF THEM AS MAY BE EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; –Article I, Section 8.16, U.S. Constitution
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a FREE STATE, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infirnged. –2nd Amendment
The powers NOT DELEGATED to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people. –10th Amendment
“While I share the General Assembly’s commitment to federalism, this legislation contravenes our Constitution.” Governor Bredesen
The Federal Government only has “delegated powers” over such part of the militia as may be employed” in its service. “A free State retains any other militia powers and the Fedral Gov “shall not infringe..on “the right of the people to keep and bear arms”. So how does the Governor think that the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act contravenes our (U.S.) Constitution??
June 13th, 2009 at 10:20 am
He also signed this:
http://tinyurl.com/m3k8k9
June 13th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Blake,
As I’m sure you know, that’s HB 0390/SB0578 which allows Tennessee Gun Permit holders to carry loaded or rifles, without a chambered round in private vehicles. The weapon can be chambered when the carrier feels threatened.
I’m actually pleasantly surprised by the gubernatorial signature on that one. I figured he would probably, at best, let that become law without his signature. Having my Mossberg 500, 8 rd. pump as a back-up to my handgun will be nice when I decide it could come in handy while traveling.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
He is still not getting my vote.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:16 am
see, if a governor someone did this 100 years ago, he’d be run out of town on a rail.