Via Unc, I see the Tennessean is reporting on the state's upcoming gun legislation. Here's one issue they discuss:
Good for them. Let's hope the entire Senate does as well. Not only does it make a publicly searchable "steal me list", it also endangers victims who may have armed themselves. Victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and other forms of intimidation all would be put at greater risk by that information being made public.Information contained in handgun permit applications would be confidential under a bill sponsored by Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the legislation on Tuesday.
Of course, there are some who disagree:
Frank Gibson, you are full of it. Whenever a person applies for a carry permit they undergo what is known as a "background check". This "background check" would turn up any felony convictions, as well as any reportable mental disabilities a person may have in their background. That's why they call it a "background check". Your argument holds no water.Opponents, such as Frank Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, are concerned the bill violates the First Amendment because it would place a "prior restraint" on publication.
"This legislation, if it passed, would close all the records," Gibson said, "so the public would have no way of knowing whether the state had issued a gun permit to a person with mental illness or to a convicted felon."
"The right to bear arms is as fundamental as the right to breathe," [State Senator Doug] Jackson said.It also enables us to continue breathing when a criminal attempts to stop such action.
Now that's what I call common sense gun laws.
2 comments:
"The right to bear arms is as fundamental as the right to breathe,"
I see this word 'right' a lot. I am wondering, can you please tell me what it means? Where does a 'right' come from? Who has them? Are they bestowed, or are they intrinsic? I'm sorry if I seem obtuse, but it is important that I understand.
A good definition can be found over at FreedomSight. Jed spells it out:
the [right to keep and bear arms] derives from the natural right of self preservation which was recognized by the founders as existing prior to, and without reliance upon, the ordination of a government, or its sanction by any government.
So, in short, a right is something that is granted to you by who or whatever you call your Creator, be it God, nature, whatever.
Governments don't bestow rights, a good one simply protects them.
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