Kentucky passes permitless carry; Tennessee still tarries

Governor Matt Bevin has signed permit-less carry (AKA Constitutional Carry) into law in Kentucky. This brings to sixteen the number of states that have done so.

Boundary marker between Tennessee and Kentucky
Liston Matthews photo

What does this mean. I read the bill, and it appears that anyone who may legally own a firearm may legally carry a firearm in Kentucky. So, if you are on the other (North) side of the boundary stone pictured, the Second Amendment is your carry permit. according to WKYT, the law becomes effective June 26. 2019.

On the other hand, if you are on this side of that big rock, you  are in Tennessee,

Blackburn v Bredesen 2018

As we near the general election, I have a few thoughts for Tennesseans whose minds are not made up yet on the Senate race.
Examine your belief systems and see which candidate's views most closely match yours. This can encompass many different areas, such as right to life, firearms rights, or border security. Vote for that candidate.
Consider the Supreme Court. The contentious atmosphere surrounding the appointment and confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh revealed the true nature of the Democratic Party's leadership. The Democrats, with one exception (Manchin of WV), voted the party line, against Justice Kavanaugh. On major issues, Democrats by and large vote the party line in Washington.
The Democratic Party is, without a doubt, the PARTY OF GUN CONTROL! You can research this yourself, or you can check out my friend John Richardson's compilation of state Democratic Party platforms HERE.
Bredesen, as governor, vetoed Restaurant Carry in 2009, as I noted in an update in 2010. With Mike Bloomberg hosting a fundraiser for him, is there any reason to believe that he is no longer a gun banner?
These mid-term Senate races, like the Presidential race two years ago, are really about the Supreme Court. Do you want to see President Trump appoint and have confirmed justices who will follow the Supreme Law of the Land, the Constitution; or risk having a Democratic controlled Senate stalemate his appointments until after the next Presidential election?

Well, do you?

NRA ok's packing at Dallas meeting

The NRA meeting this year in Dallas will once again recognize the right to carry, as has been the case for the last several meetings. Here, with a link to the NRAAM site, is their official statement.

Firearms Policy for the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Crowd at the NRAAM in Nashville, 2015

During the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, lawfully carried firearms will be permitted in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the Omni Dallas Hotel in accordance with Texas law.  When carrying your firearm remember to follow all federal, state, and local laws.

With the recent display of a billboard stating "Kill the NRA", members in attendance may wish to consider carrying their defensive firearms.

Other things to consider when traveling to Dallas-

If you drive, be sure you are aware of the carry laws in states you pass through. Two sources for information are Handgunlaw.us; and an app called Legal Heat, available for Android or Apple.

If you fly, be sure and follow the guidelines of both your airline and the TSA for checking a firearm in  your checked baggage, never in carry-on.

TSA guidelines are available HERE.

Each airline has its own rules, too. Southwest rules are HERE.

Part of Delta's policy states, "All firearms checked as baggage must be picked up at the Baggage Service Office upon arrival at your final destination. ID will be required to claim your checked firearm." It has been reported that Delta puts zip ties on luggage that contains a firearm, so don't expect to have access to your firearm until after you gain access to a tool to remove the zip tie. Maybe a cheap multi-tool should reside in an outside pocket of your checked bag.

A case such as THIS, with a combo lock (no key to lose) would work well for the handgun. I suggest a second one for the ammo, in the same luggage.

One last thing, if your plane has an emergency landing in New York or New Jersey, and you take possession of your baggage that contains a firearm, DO NOT attempt to re-check that luggage to continue your flight. Rent a car and stow that locked baggage in the trunk and drive to Philly. Why, New York and New Jersey WILL put you in jail. If you find this strong suggestion hard to believe, do your own research.

Musing on concealed carry permits

North Carolina qualification target

I recently applied for my North Carolina (NC) carry permit. The permitting process in NC involves taking an all-day class (Old School Protection in Johnston County) which includes a shooting qualification test at close range. I should get my permit within 90-ish days of applying.

As I was taking the class, in the back of my mind I was musing about the different requirements of various states. With a variety of requirements among the states, the results are always about the same - -

In the mid 1970's I got a "Pistol Toter's Permit" in Georgia. It had no training requirements. To this day, permits in Georgia do not have specific training requirements. I had a Tennessee permit for over twenty years. The requirements there are similar to NC requirements, a day of training with a shooting test. Both Tennessee and North Carolina require a background check; and North Carolina requires a check to see if you are reported to be a loony tune. Florida requires that you show some evidence of training and have a background check.

There are differences between between these states, and between them and other states. Tennessee just a few years ago enacted "Constitutional Vehicle Carry", meaning that with just a few prohibited areas, one may legally carry any firearm they lawfully own or possess in their vehicle. North Carolina, on the other hand has had "Constitutional Open Carry"* since 1921. In Florida, Open Carry (with a few exceptions) is strictly forbidden.

Some states require no permit, including Vermont, which has no permitting process, and Arizona, which makes permitting optional, for those who might want a permit for interstate travel to states that recognize the permit. Also, there's that pesky Federal gun-free school zone act that apparently makes an exception for permitted individuals.

Now what is the result, as mentioned at the beginning?

• Peaceable citizens, with rare exceptions, act responsibly when armed, whether permitted or not.
• The permitting process is a de-facto infringement on the right to bear arms.
• Bad actors with felony convictions or misdemeanor domestic violence offenses often continue to ignore laws and be ongoing bad actors.
• Bad actors, all to frequently, ignore gun-free-zone signs, and continue to kill and maim.
• Most legislators are accessories-before-the-fact, because they continue to mandate gun-free-zones for peaceable citizens, thus creating killing fields for mass-murderers as we have now seen in Florida.

For further information on state laws on guns, check out handgunlaw.us

* H/T John Richardson of Only Guns and Money blog

Two choices

You may not like it, but you only have TWO realistic choices in this 2016 presidential election.

On the Left, you have Hillary Clinton.
Towards the Right, you have Donald Trump.

There are other contenders, but unless you've been smoking wacky weed, you know that they are not going to win.

The Hawkeye Cauci*

I am forever amazed at the number of people the media interview who don't make up their minds until the last minute.

If you are one of those, the first thing you must do if you are going to cast an intelligent vote is to examine your own core beliefs.

1. Do you believe that life begins at conception?  YES  or  NO. If your answer is yes, then that will help eliminate some candidates.
2. Do you believe that we are a constitutional republic, and that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land; including the Bill or Rights?  YES  or  NO. If your answer is yes, then that will eliminate some candidates, too.
3. Do you believe that the Bill of Rights is a package deal, and not a smorgasbord to pick and choose from?  YES  or NO.  Again, the process of elimination.

Now, of those that are left, which candidate's actions and statements align most closely with your core beliefs?

Ted Cruz rally coming soon

Take Off with Ted Knoxville Rally

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Doors Open: 9:00 amProgram: 10:00 am 

Farragut High School Gymnasium
11237 Kingston Pike
Farragut, TN 37934

Get free tickets HERE.

See Cruz debating with Feinstein here:

She may not be a sixth grader, but is she smarter than a fifth grader?

Cruz gains

The Q Poll in Iowa now shows Ted Cruz at 23%, in a statistical dead heat with The Donald, who is at 25%.

Rush all but endorsed him Sunday:

Presidential election, 2016

I have stayed mostly silent, because this far out, it's anybody's guess.

I definitely plan to vote for Cruz if he is still in the race during the primary.

In the general election, I don't see how I could vote for any of the socialist/statist candidates on the Democratic side.

That leaves me with the Republican candidate.

I hope it will not be another of those "hold your nose and vote" situations.

Never forget, Clinton likes the Australian method of gun control.

Simply put, its

COLLECT & CRUSH!

Should the TFA sue Knoxville over its banning handgun permit holders at the Knoxville Fair?

See KnoxGunGuy post HERE.

KNOXVILLE indicating it will IGNORE state law - URGENT CALL TO ACTION!

September 10, 2015 URGENT CALL TO ACTION! KNOXVILLE indicating it will IGNORE state law that allows handgun permit holders to carry in public parks! The Tennessee Valley Fair has notified the public that the fair is posted, stating on page two of their Fair Guidebook: "Please note: no weapons of any kind are permitted at Chilhowee Park. All entrants are subject to search. . ."  Chilhowee Park is owned by the City of Knoxville.  State of Tennessee now prohibits by law the City from regulating the possession of firearms in local parks based on a law passed in 2015 that is now in effect. The Tennessee Attorney General issued a formal opinion concluding that a local government may not ban handgun permit holders from carrying their handguns in the public parks (with a limited exception that is not relevant to the fair).  Further, the AG concluded that the state law now prohibits an event that rents or uses the public park from banning firearms in the park.

Do you agree that 2015 is the year for Gun Free Zones to go? Read my commentary HERE.

Gratuitous gun ban zones must go

Recent massacres in Charleston and Chattanooga show the fatal error of having these set-asides for criminal predators. Read more at Knox Gun Guy.

Updated: Gun question for Tennessee House 14th District candidates

Karen Carson responded today. Her answer is here.

Ted Cruz announces presidency run

Cruz announces at Liberty University. Thats enough to give any statist heartburn!

Open Carry and the Court of Public Opinion

See my Examiner article HERE.

What we've been sayin'

Heinlein said, as quoted in goodreads,

An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.

FOX59 quotes some supporting statistics from Indy Police:

Here’s a look at the stats for Saturday Night Problems in the month of April:

• April 5: 300 teens at Circle Centre

• April 12: 200 teens in large groups

• April 19: 400 teens and shots fired

• April 26 (NRA Convention): 100 teens, dispersed quickly

Yet, Knoxville and Farragut bosses still keep citizens disarmed in city parks.

H/T to SayUncle

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Photos from NRA Indy 2014

Here are some pictures I took at Indy. For the related story, see my Examiner article HERE.

With Blaine from Illinois Firearm Safety, showing off our permits. Welcome to the club, Illinois.
Looking forward to the day the 2A is restored and permission slips . . .
. . . are no longer required

Tom Gresham of Gun Talk Radio at the Ruger booth

Open Carrier Darrin Drudge with daughter

Coming in July - knife law changes

Currently, switchblades are banned in Tennessee. It is also unlawful to carry a blade over 4" with intent to go armed. I suppose one can infer that it is currently OK in Tennessee to carry a 3 1/2" blade with intent to go armed.

July 1st, the law changes. Switchblades will be legal. Blade lengths over 4" will also be legal. Does that mean you swashbucklers will be setting a new standard in Tennessee?

Hmmm. . . .

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Reading List

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

-----------------------------------

Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

April 19, 1775 - Gage's gun grab

Redcoats attempted to confiscate citizens' guns and ammo. Their actions precipitated the War for Independence.
Today, statists are again talking confiscation. Do the People still have the will to resist?
Do you?
Do I?

or

Do we just lower our heads and shuffle to the trains?

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

-----------------------------------

Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.