What about the schools?
So, my local state rep has proposed a bill:
Sergeants-at-arms in the Tennessee General Assembly would be allowed to carry guns under legislation being proposed by Sen. Raymond Finney.
The Maryville Republican said the legislation is necessary to protect visitors and members of the General Assembly.Under the legislation, “special” sergeants-at-arms would be appointed by speakers of the House and Senate and vested with police powers while on official duty.
They would be required to have a handgun permit and “must demonstrate annually firearm safety and marksmanship proficiency equivalent to … that members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol are required to demonstrate,” according to the bill.
As to why:
Finney said the legislation is needed because of recent shootings in schools and other public places. Both the Capitol and Legislative Plaza already have metal detectors and armed police who guard entrances and patrol the grounds.
But Finney said armed sergeants-at-arms — who are normally at the entrances of each chamber — could act quickly if there’s trouble within the chambers.
“If you have someone open fire in the Senate chamber, you don’t have 10 minutes to run down and find an officer,” he said.
So, what about the schools? Are we going to arm people there? Or allow the law-abiding to carry there? Just asking. Apparently, our friends at the capitol are afraid after a bunch of people in wheelchairs staged a protest.
Also, seems odd to me to give control of state troopers to the senate and house. You know, separation of powers and all. I thought they operated under the direction of the governor.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:58 am
We all have equal rights but I guess our representatives are just “more equal” than we are.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Damnit, Dustin beat me to it.
Well, it is good to know where the politician’s priorities lie, as if there was any doubt in the matter beforehand. And, just for those who missed it, these politicians belives their lives are more important than those of our children, and ourselves (for those of us still without children).
But, hell, their constituents elected them… They got exactly what they asked for.
January 16th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
This makes me wonder why they’re suddenly so concerned with their safety. Are they planning on introducing legislation that’ll piss off a lot of people in the near future?
January 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I see where its mentioned that there are armed guards and metal detectors at the entrances….”Both the Capitol and Legislative Plaza already have metal detectors and armed police who guard entrances and patrol the grounds.”
Are the legislators allowed to carry inside the building?
Does this mean they’re worried one of their own is going to go ‘postal’?
January 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
All they have to do is post a couple of signs around the building– about a thousand each. One saying, “Gun Free Zone” (with the red circle and the line through it) and another saying, “Murder Free Zone, Thank You for Not Killing Us” (red circle with line through it, over a chalk outline).
Problem solved.
January 16th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Lyle Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
All they have to do is post a couple of signs around the building– about a thousand each. One saying, “Gun Free Zone” (with the red circle and the line through it) and another saying, “Murder Free Zone, Thank You for Not Killing Us” (red circle with line through it, over a chalk outline).
Now that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time!