Press Release From My Rep

Via email from my state rep. Please take the time to read the whole thing:

Rep. Barrett Rich Works to Protect
Second Amendment Rights

(February 12, 2009, NASHVILLE) – Representative Barrett Rich (R-Somerville) announced today that he will be working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to protect the Second Amendment rights of Tennesseans by ensuring that gun owners have certain rights to privacy. His announcement comes on the heels of the publication of every handgun carry permit holder in the state on the Commercial Appeal’s website. In 2007, the Nashville-based Tennessean published the list as well, raising the concern of Second Amendment advocates.

“As a former law enforcement officer, I have seen the kind of violence that this knowledge can perpetuate,” said Representative Rich. “No one wins when a newspaper publishes the names of handgun carry permit holders. This action puts the permit holders at risk to have their weapons stolen, and it especially puts non-gun owners at risk by giving criminals a list of easy targets who are not armed,” he added.

Current law provides that the list is public record, but some lawmakers are working to change the law. Rep. Rich pledged to work with his fellow lawmakers on the issue, to protect gun owners and non-gun owners alike.

“It was irresponsible of the Commercial Appeal to publish the list, and I see nothing positive coming from it. I will work with and support efforts to stop things like this from happening this year in the General Assembly,” Rep. Rich concluded.

That's what I'm talking about!

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