The last few months have been very eventful. The state government has passed laws that allow anyone, who obtains a Handgun Carry Permit either from the state of Tennessee or from a state which the State of Tennessee honors, to carry in establishments where alcohol is served for consumption so long as that person is not consuming alcohol, to carry in state parks within Tennessee, and also to carry in local parks. Aside from Governor Bredesen's veto and the subsequent veto override, this is when much of the action began.
The "gun in parks" legislation provided for the rights of the people to carry in local government parks beginning September 1st provided the following requirements were met. First, no local law existing before April 8, 1986 prevented individuals from going armed within a local park; and second, the local government did not vote to opt out of the state law. This set off a scramble of local politicians to limit the rights of the people to carry a firearm to protect themselves, and the Knoxville area was no exception.
After rescheduling the vote on opting out, scheduling a public forum, canceling the public forum due to a grandfathered anti-gun ordinance, scheduling an "opt in" ordinance, rescheduling the vote on the ordinance to repeal gun limitations in parks to entertain a public forum, holding the public forum, and then discussing the ordinance at a City Council meeting, the ordinance was voted down on the first reading by a vote of 6-3 on Tuesday, September 22. Voting "no" on the ordinance were Bob Becker, Rob Frost, Bob Booker, Marilyn Roddy, Chris Woodhull, and Barbra Pelot. Mr. Joe Hultquist voted for the measure; however, he made it clear that he was only voting for it to possibly lengthen debate on the issue and would likely vote against it at the second reading if the ordinance passed. The two votes for the ordinance were Council members Steve Hall, who had requested the ordinance, and Joe Bailey.
This, personally, was not unexpected as it was easy to see what the intentions of the City Council members were as they commented on this issue over the past couple months. What was surprising were the comments of Mayor Haslam. I had been in contact with his office regarding this issue in particular over the weeks leading up to this vote. I was forwarded several e-mails from his office regarding updates on this issue. In each or nearly each message, Mayor Haslam made comments to affirm his support of the right to keep and bear arms. At the end of the Council meeting, he made the statement that although he saw the ability of people bearing arms in defense of themselves and others as a "right," due to the difficulty of implementing a repeal of the prohibition of guns on greenways and other areas including areas where park boundaries and school property meet, he would not be supporting the repeal. These statements lead me to question his definition of rights of people in that it would seem that Mr. Haslam would believe that a governmental body could legislate something which could not be, by definition, found within the bounds of its jurisdiction.
The new state law, by this time, had been in effect for three weeks meaning the bearing of weapons by permit holders within any local government parks within the jurisdiction of municipalities and counties which had not opted out of the state law and which did not have a grandfathered ordinance was now legal. The following Monday afternoon, the Knox County Commission took up the issue. This time the vote went the opposite direction. By a vote of 13-5, the County Commission voted to affirm the state law. Those voting against the right of self preservation were Amy Broyles, Mark Harmon, Sam McKenzie, Finbar Saunders, and Thomas "Tank" Strickland. Commissioners voting for the measure were Brad Anders, Bud Armstrong, Richard Briggs, Mike Brown, Michele Carringer, Mike Hammond, Ivan Harmon, Greg "Lumpy" Lambert, Craig Leuthold, Tony Norman, Paul Pinkston, R. Larry Smith, and Dave Wright.
If you live within the City of Knoxville, live in Knox County, or visit either, please contact the City Council or Knox County Commission members and voice your disapproval of votes limiting your right of self preservation. Even more so, contact those representatives who have voted to uphold your rights. They rightly deserve to be supported for actions which preserve our liberties and emboldened to do more in the future.
Of the places in the Knoxville Area, the following lists are the places where it has been reported in the media that either the bearing of arms has been banned or upheld. These are not by any means exhaustive lists.
Where People Retain the right of self preservation:
Anderson County
Knox County
Dandridge
Kingston
Where the People do not retain the right of self preservation:
City of Knoxville
Maryville
Oak Ridge
Clinton
Gatlinburg
I will end this post with a few statements which I replied to someone commenting on my likely enjoyment of the Knox County Commission's vote: I am glad the Knox County Commission has respected the right of self defense especially on the heals of the affirmation of the ban in the City of Knoxville. All in all, most places in the State do not inhibit self defense. And thus over the last several months, Tennesseans have taken back some of their lost liberties. It is always a good and enjoyable thing when the powers that be are prevented from disrupting the peaceful existence of free peoples and the natural rights which define their status as free people.
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Knoxville City Council Votes to Delay on Gun Ordinance
This evening the Knoxville City Council was to hear speakers and vote on repealing the ban on guns in city parks. In support of this repeal, many people took time to travel downtown to support by attendance or speak out in support; but as was the case for the previous debate on "opting out" of the new state law, the citizens' time was yet again wasted in favor of delay.
A workshop is scheduled for September 3 at 5:00 PM. To allow for this workshop on the gun issue, the measure is delayed for four weeks and will be taken back up on September 22. I would like to take a moment to point out that the Knoxville City Government had a chance to listen to its citizens at a workshop on the 20th of this month, but sought it more appropriate to CANCEL THE WORKSHOP!! Now we must have yet another workshop. I don't think you care what the people think. I think you will try to get away with anything you can, and I don't think a workshop will have any effect on how you will vote. If you really cared how we felt on the issue, you would have not canceled the previous workshop. I know I love my liberty in an APPROPRIATELY extreme way, but how bout you people on the Knoxville City Council take a frekin' hint! YOU DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO NEGATE ANY PART OF THE CONSTITUTION EVEN IF YOU THINK IT IS FOR OUR OWN GOOD! WE WANT TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROTECT OURSELVES! GET OUT OF OUR WAY! I hope that wasn't in any way unclear.
It was apparent to me as I spoke to Marylin Roddy, a city council member, that she had a (politically correct) indifference to opting out of the state law and would like to hear more from her constituents before voting. Ms. Roddy, in what universe must you live in to not know how you stand on the 2nd Amendment? It is a core issue which is debated often! That was her position last month with the previous resolution. Today, she floated the idea of a "compromise" ordinance which would exclude all parks which have playgrounds or ball fields which are frequented by children. Clearly, she is at best hostile to the 2nd amendment. I also find it hard, with an exception of one or two, to picture clearly any parks which her "compromise" would not encompass. So as I see it, her "compromise" is not a compromise at all; it is in effect a ban in the essentially same effect as the ban exists today.
Here is her contact information:
Marilyn Roddy - at large
920 Iskagna Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-0333
Email: mroddy@cityofknoxville.org
If you support the 2nd Amendment, make her phone ring off the hook and overflow her in box with e-mail telling her how the 2nd Amendment is not hers to deny in any way. Her power is not superior to the constitution, but inferior. Would she propose that we deny the public their 1st (or any other) Amendment rights because it in some way is harmful to any certain group in any certain area? If she and the other council members have the authority to deny the 2nd Amendment, by what rational are they prohibited from denying any other Amendment?
Set your calendars; call your council member(s); speak out, speak loud, & speak often! We can force them to obey the Constitution even if it is against their idea of how they would shape our lives. They are our servants, and their first priority as our elected servants is to protect our rights. Only after that is complete may they observe any other act of governance. Make it clear to them whom they serve!
In case you don't know how to contact Knoxville City Government, here are Ms. Roddy's and important county officials along with the other city council members' contact info:
Knoxville City Officials' contact information:
Mayor Bill Haslam
City County Building
Phone: (865) 215-2040
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: mayor@cityofknoxville.org
Mayor's Office
William Lyons, Senior Director
Department of Policy & Communications
Phone: (865) 215-2029
Email: wlyons@cityofknoxville.org
Larry B. Martin, Deputy to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2086
Fax: 865-215-2277
Email: lmartin@cityofknoxville.org
Thomas Strickland, Jr., Director
Community Relations
Special Assistant to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2048
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: tstrickland@cityofknoxville.org
Council members can be reached by contacting the City Recorder's Office
Phone: (865) 215-2075
Fax: (865) 215-4269
City Council Members
Vice Mayor Bob Becker - Fifth District
125 E. Columbia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-387-0752
Email: bob@bobbecker.org
Joe Bailey - at large
424 Hillvale Turn, West
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-4477
Email: jdbailey@cityofknoxville.org
Chris Woodhull - at large
223 Deadrick Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 661-4131
Email: chriswoodhull@bellsouth.net
Marilyn Roddy - at large
920 Iskagna Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-0333
Email: mroddy@cityofknoxville.org
Joseph Hultquist- First District
2240 Fisher Place
Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: (865) 579-1250
Email: joseph49@bellsouth.net
Barbara Pelot - Second District
8437 Corteland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Home: (865) 693-0454 OR (865) 671-1544
Fax: (865) 693-0525
Email: rpelot3@aol.com
Steve Hall - Third District
5748 Acapulco Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 584-9567 OR (865) 522-1195
Email: InteriorFinishes@MSN.com
Rob Frost - Fourth District
P.O. Box 300
Knoxville, TN 37901-0300
Phone: (865) 525-1303 OR (865) 546-7000
Fax: 865-546-0423
Email: RobFrostCityCouncil@comcast.net
Robert J. Booker - Sixth District
2621 Parkview Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 546-1576
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
A workshop is scheduled for September 3 at 5:00 PM. To allow for this workshop on the gun issue, the measure is delayed for four weeks and will be taken back up on September 22. I would like to take a moment to point out that the Knoxville City Government had a chance to listen to its citizens at a workshop on the 20th of this month, but sought it more appropriate to CANCEL THE WORKSHOP!! Now we must have yet another workshop. I don't think you care what the people think. I think you will try to get away with anything you can, and I don't think a workshop will have any effect on how you will vote. If you really cared how we felt on the issue, you would have not canceled the previous workshop. I know I love my liberty in an APPROPRIATELY extreme way, but how bout you people on the Knoxville City Council take a frekin' hint! YOU DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO NEGATE ANY PART OF THE CONSTITUTION EVEN IF YOU THINK IT IS FOR OUR OWN GOOD! WE WANT TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROTECT OURSELVES! GET OUT OF OUR WAY! I hope that wasn't in any way unclear.
It was apparent to me as I spoke to Marylin Roddy, a city council member, that she had a (politically correct) indifference to opting out of the state law and would like to hear more from her constituents before voting. Ms. Roddy, in what universe must you live in to not know how you stand on the 2nd Amendment? It is a core issue which is debated often! That was her position last month with the previous resolution. Today, she floated the idea of a "compromise" ordinance which would exclude all parks which have playgrounds or ball fields which are frequented by children. Clearly, she is at best hostile to the 2nd amendment. I also find it hard, with an exception of one or two, to picture clearly any parks which her "compromise" would not encompass. So as I see it, her "compromise" is not a compromise at all; it is in effect a ban in the essentially same effect as the ban exists today.
Here is her contact information:
Marilyn Roddy - at large
920 Iskagna Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-0333
Email: mroddy@cityofknoxville.org
If you support the 2nd Amendment, make her phone ring off the hook and overflow her in box with e-mail telling her how the 2nd Amendment is not hers to deny in any way. Her power is not superior to the constitution, but inferior. Would she propose that we deny the public their 1st (or any other) Amendment rights because it in some way is harmful to any certain group in any certain area? If she and the other council members have the authority to deny the 2nd Amendment, by what rational are they prohibited from denying any other Amendment?
Set your calendars; call your council member(s); speak out, speak loud, & speak often! We can force them to obey the Constitution even if it is against their idea of how they would shape our lives. They are our servants, and their first priority as our elected servants is to protect our rights. Only after that is complete may they observe any other act of governance. Make it clear to them whom they serve!
In case you don't know how to contact Knoxville City Government, here are Ms. Roddy's and important county officials along with the other city council members' contact info:
Knoxville City Officials' contact information:
Mayor Bill Haslam
City County Building
Phone: (865) 215-2040
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: mayor@cityofknoxville.org
Mayor's Office
William Lyons, Senior Director
Department of Policy & Communications
Phone: (865) 215-2029
Email: wlyons@cityofknoxville.org
Larry B. Martin, Deputy to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2086
Fax: 865-215-2277
Email: lmartin@cityofknoxville.org
Thomas Strickland, Jr., Director
Community Relations
Special Assistant to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2048
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: tstrickland@cityofknoxville.org
Council members can be reached by contacting the City Recorder's Office
Phone: (865) 215-2075
Fax: (865) 215-4269
City Council Members
Vice Mayor Bob Becker - Fifth District
125 E. Columbia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-387-0752
Email: bob@bobbecker.org
Joe Bailey - at large
424 Hillvale Turn, West
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-4477
Email: jdbailey@cityofknoxville.org
Chris Woodhull - at large
223 Deadrick Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 661-4131
Email: chriswoodhull@bellsouth.net
Marilyn Roddy - at large
920 Iskagna Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-0333
Email: mroddy@cityofknoxville.org
Joseph Hultquist- First District
2240 Fisher Place
Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: (865) 579-1250
Email: joseph49@bellsouth.net
Barbara Pelot - Second District
8437 Corteland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Home: (865) 693-0454 OR (865) 671-1544
Fax: (865) 693-0525
Email: rpelot3@aol.com
Steve Hall - Third District
5748 Acapulco Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 584-9567 OR (865) 522-1195
Email: InteriorFinishes@MSN.com
Rob Frost - Fourth District
P.O. Box 300
Knoxville, TN 37901-0300
Phone: (865) 525-1303 OR (865) 546-7000
Fax: 865-546-0423
Email: RobFrostCityCouncil@comcast.net
Robert J. Booker - Sixth District
2621 Parkview Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 546-1576
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Knoxville To Consider Opting In To State Gun In Parks Law
The Knoxville City Council will be addressing item 12-a on the current agenda (http://www.ci.knoxville.tn.us/citycouncil/agenda.pdf). This is an ordinance to amend Section 20-60 of the Knoxville City Code to allow citizens possession of firearms or weapons within City parks. The City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 P.M. at the City County Building (400 Main St. Knoxville, TN 37902). Whether you live, work, or visit Knoxville, calling and e-mailing all council members with your concerns of support for item 12-a will help regain some of our liberty and equip ourselves to better protect ourselves, our families, and our friends; however, It is critical that if you support the Second Amendment that you attend the meeting. A head count will likely be taken of attendees who are supportive of the proposed ordinance as was done at previous meetings concerning this subject. If this measure is passed, it is quite likely that to ban guns again in Knoxville will require an alteration of Tennessee State Law which will prevent the City of Knoxville from disregarding the Second Amendment by merely voting so. Supporting this ordinance will also be witnessed by Knox County officials. Many times the County and City amend their laws to match each other, and if Knoxville repeals its ban on weapons in parks, it will give support to the preservation of the Second Amendment in the county as well.
Knoxville City Officials' contact information:
Mayor Bill Haslam
City County Building
Phone: (865) 215-2040
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: mayor@cityofknoxville.org
Mayor’s Office
William Lyons, Senior Director
Department of Policy & Communications
Phone: (865) 215-2029
Email: wlyons@cityofknoxville.org
Larry B. Martin, Deputy to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2086
Fax: 865-215-2277
Email: lmartin@cityofknoxville.org
Thomas Strickland, Jr., Director
Community Relations
Special Assistant to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2048
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: tstrickland@cityofknoxville.org
Council members can be reached by contacting the City Recorder's Office
Phone: (865) 215-2075
Fax: (865) 215-4269
City Council Members
Vice Mayor Bob Becker - Fifth District
125 E. Columbia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-387-0752
Email: bob@bobbecker.org
Joe Bailey - at large
424 Hillvale Turn, West
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-4477
Email: jdbailey@cityofknoxville.org
Chris Woodhull - at large
223 Deadrick Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 661-4131
Email: chriswoodhull@bellsouth.net
Marilyn Roddy - at large
920 Iskagna Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-0333
Email: mroddy@cityofknoxville.org
Joseph Hultquist- First District
2240 Fisher Place
Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: (865) 579-1250
Email: joseph49@bellsouth.net
Barbara Pelot - Second District
8437 Corteland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Home: (865) 693-0454 OR (865) 671-1544
Fax: (865) 693-0525
Email: rpelot3@aol.com
Steve Hall - Third District
5748 Acapulco Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 584-9567 OR (865) 522-1195
Email: InteriorFinishes@MSN.com
Rob Frost - Fourth District
P.O. Box 300
Knoxville, TN 37901-0300
Phone: (865) 525-1303 OR (865) 546-7000
Fax: 865-546-0423
Email: RobFrostCityCouncil@comcast.net
Robert J. Booker - Sixth District
2621 Parkview Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 546-1576
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
Knoxville City Officials' contact information:
Mayor Bill Haslam
City County Building
Phone: (865) 215-2040
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: mayor@cityofknoxville.org
Mayor’s Office
William Lyons, Senior Director
Department of Policy & Communications
Phone: (865) 215-2029
Email: wlyons@cityofknoxville.org
Larry B. Martin, Deputy to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2086
Fax: 865-215-2277
Email: lmartin@cityofknoxville.org
Thomas Strickland, Jr., Director
Community Relations
Special Assistant to the Mayor
Phone: (865) 215-2048
Fax: (865) 215-2085
Email: tstrickland@cityofknoxville.org
Council members can be reached by contacting the City Recorder's Office
Phone: (865) 215-2075
Fax: (865) 215-4269
City Council Members
Vice Mayor Bob Becker - Fifth District
125 E. Columbia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-387-0752
Email: bob@bobbecker.org
Joe Bailey - at large
424 Hillvale Turn, West
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-4477
Email: jdbailey@cityofknoxville.org
Chris Woodhull - at large
223 Deadrick Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 661-4131
Email: chriswoodhull@bellsouth.net
Marilyn Roddy - at large
920 Iskagna Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 637-0333
Email: mroddy@cityofknoxville.org
Joseph Hultquist- First District
2240 Fisher Place
Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: (865) 579-1250
Email: joseph49@bellsouth.net
Barbara Pelot - Second District
8437 Corteland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Home: (865) 693-0454 OR (865) 671-1544
Fax: (865) 693-0525
Email: rpelot3@aol.com
Steve Hall - Third District
5748 Acapulco Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 584-9567 OR (865) 522-1195
Email: InteriorFinishes@MSN.com
Rob Frost - Fourth District
P.O. Box 300
Knoxville, TN 37901-0300
Phone: (865) 525-1303 OR (865) 546-7000
Fax: 865-546-0423
Email: RobFrostCityCouncil@comcast.net
Robert J. Booker - Sixth District
2621 Parkview Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
Phone: (865) 546-1576
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Dependence Day
The 4th of July had come around again; and this may sound a little pessimistic, but I'd like to wish everyone a happy Dependence Day.
The holiday may be called Independence Day, but I theorize that due to the transfer of power from the people to state and local governments and from state and local governments to the federal government, the Declaration of Independence effectively was, instead of a termination of the authority of the British government over the colonies, a shift of dependence. We talk a big deal about "the land of the free," but we are not free. Sure, we can choose what town to live in, what TV shoes and movies to watch, choose to have children, & choose what to say & read; but what else are we free from government intrusion to do? Not a whole lot. It isn't permissible to grow food on your own land without governmental permission. That seems a pretty basic thing to do: grow your own food. You would think that would be something you would be free to do without governmental regulation, but you'd be wrong. We can't earn a living, give someone a gift, be self-employed, being unemployed, or even die without being punished through taxation. How could anyone say that freedom no longer rings in the U.S.? So go ahead and celebrate the 4th, wave your flags, and celebrate freedom, but don't forget to say how there "should be a law" whenever you see something you don't agree with or see decisions and authority that should be taken from the citizens that can't be trusted with the responsibility of having the authority to make decisions in a way contrary to the way you think the government would. In the face of our overreaching government, the 4th celebrations of freedom seem rather hollow.
Happy Dependence Day Everybody!
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
The holiday may be called Independence Day, but I theorize that due to the transfer of power from the people to state and local governments and from state and local governments to the federal government, the Declaration of Independence effectively was, instead of a termination of the authority of the British government over the colonies, a shift of dependence. We talk a big deal about "the land of the free," but we are not free. Sure, we can choose what town to live in, what TV shoes and movies to watch, choose to have children, & choose what to say & read; but what else are we free from government intrusion to do? Not a whole lot. It isn't permissible to grow food on your own land without governmental permission. That seems a pretty basic thing to do: grow your own food. You would think that would be something you would be free to do without governmental regulation, but you'd be wrong. We can't earn a living, give someone a gift, be self-employed, being unemployed, or even die without being punished through taxation. How could anyone say that freedom no longer rings in the U.S.? So go ahead and celebrate the 4th, wave your flags, and celebrate freedom, but don't forget to say how there "should be a law" whenever you see something you don't agree with or see decisions and authority that should be taken from the citizens that can't be trusted with the responsibility of having the authority to make decisions in a way contrary to the way you think the government would. In the face of our overreaching government, the 4th celebrations of freedom seem rather hollow.
Happy Dependence Day Everybody!
Really agree with what you read? Really disagree? Somewhere in the middle?....Let yourself be heard in the comments!
_
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