Cry Me a River, Part II

Looks like we're not through hearing about poor, embattled Jimmy Naifeh. Via Unc comes this opinion piece from the man himself:

Tennessee's latest gun bills were a perversion of our right to bear arms

As many of you may or may not know, the speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives has the right to cast a vote in any committee or subcommittee meeting. In my nearly 20 years as speaker, I have made it a point to use this privilege sparingly and save it for times when I feel such intervention is needed.

Man, term limits are beginning to sound real good right about now.

The aim of these bills was not to protect or defend the Second Amendment of this country, but rather an attempt by an extreme few to pervert our right to bear arms into a law that only recognizes a select few.

What select few? Anyone in the state can get a carry permit, as long as they meet the requirements.

Restricting and criminalizing access to the more than 190,000 concealed-weapons permit holders records does nothing for the protection of Tennessee's 6.5 million residents. And so I voted these bills down.

So, being able to publish a list that serves to identify armed citizens (permit holders) and unarmed citizens (non-permit holders) does serve to protect our citizens? Please explain further.

Most gun owners who I have talked to understand why this legislation was not acceptable, and recognize that here in Tennessee we have it pretty good. They, along with most Tennesseans, realize that the balance between those who own firearms and those who do not must be respected. But you cannot please everyone all the time, and so there are a couple of radicals out there claiming an anti-gun agenda ruled the day.

What does that have to do with anything? Again, like I said above, anyone in the state can own a gun, as long as they meet the requirements. Like not being a felon, wife (or husband) beater or mentally unsound.

Owning a gun is a choice. Having the right to own one isn't.

Typical politician. They piss on you and tell you it's raining.