NASHVILLE – Senators today easily overrode Gov. Phil Bredesen’s veto of the latest “guns in bars bill,” with the sponsor of the measure firing verbal shots at the governor’s veto message, saying it “attempts to fuel emotions and fears.”
Senators voted 22-10. The House is expected to take up the veto later.
In his veto message to the General Assembly, issued last week, Gov. Bredesen said the latest version of the bill is an “even more expansive and dangerous form” than the “reckless” version he vetoed a year ago.
That version easily was overridden by lawmakers as well but later was struck down by a judge for being unconstitutionally vague because of its attempt to keep guns out of bars and nightclubs with food service requirements. The state has no legal definition of such establishments.
This year’s legislation attempts to solve that by making it legal for handgun-permit holders to go armed in any establishment selling alcohol for on-premises consumption. The list includes restaurants ranging from O’Charley’s to bars, nightclubs, honky tonks, beer taverns, museums, theaters and other facilities with state liquor or local beer licenses.
Permit holders could not drink, and risk losing their licenses if they do. Businesses and institutions also could post signs banning guns. Police and hospitality organizations this year gave up trying to fight the bill, pushed by the National Rifle Association and Tennessee Firearms Association.
During debate, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, said that in vetoing the measure last year the governor spoke of “safeguards” being necessary.
“What are the safeguards to which the governor refers?” Sen. Jackson said. “It remains a mystery.”
He said permit holders “have a clear record for safety and responsibility that is irrefutable, a record that goes back more than 13 years.”
According to news accounts, at least five permit holders have been charged in shooting deaths over the past 15 months, including a dispute over parking outside a restaurant as well as an alleged road-rage shooting at an East Tennessee retirement community.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.