It’s really amazing. Most of Tennessee’s legislators are sensible and responsible. But when the subjects of “guns” and “alcohol” come up, some legislators abandon common sense. Emotion and politics take over.
A current example involves the state Senate’s 22-10 vote override of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s reasonable veto of a bill that would allow people with gun permits to carry weapons in places that serve alcohol.
Obviously, a guns-alcohol mix is not “needed” for the public good. While most people may use good judgment, just one person using a gun and alcohol wrongly could create a terrible situation. Most people thought that sort of situation went out with “wild West” saloons.
Now it’s up to the Tennessee House of Representatives to decide whether the governor’s veto will prevail or be overridden. Shouldn’t all sensible people hope a majority of representatives will sustain the governor’s veto, and keep guns out of places that serve alcohol?