TennWatch/Volitics

Alexander on Gun Control

Received in a letter from the senator:

I am a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Gun control should not mean taking away these rights from law-abiding citizens and leaving criminals to terrorize the streets. But we must do something about gun-related crimes. As senator, I'll work with law enforcement officials from across the state to keep our neighborhoods safe. I'll vote for federal support to prosecute violent criminals, as in "Gun Crime IS Jail Time," a federally funded program in Memphis that ensures tougher, more consistent sentences for gun-related crimes. Good citizens don't abuse guns; criminals do.

Because I believe law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to the weapon of their choice, I support allowing the 1994 federal ban on assault guns and magazines to expire. I am also a co-sponsor of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 to authorize qualified law enforcement officers with valid identification to carry concealed firearms. And because I believe honest gun makers, distributors, dealers, and importers should not be subjected to frivolous lawsuits brought by trial lawyers, I am a co-sponsor of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This bill would prohibit civil suits for damages resulting from the misuse of firearms but would not extend to those who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a violent crime.

A few comments on this response from the senator:

1. I am against programs that mandate sentences and remove discretion from our judges. No tolerance policies are most often no sense policies.
2. ". . . a constitutional right to the weapon of their choice . . ." is an excellent phrase.
3. Why do law enforcement officers get to carry concealed firearms but not qualified citizens with valid identification? Is Alexander establishing a superior-class citizenry?
4. The notion of protecting an industry from frivolous prosecution offends me. Why not protect every industry? Tobacco was first, guns were second, fast food was third, but who's next?

Blackburn on Homeland Security Gun Safety Act

Verbiage received in response to my concerns about S.969, the "Homeland Security Gun Safety Act".

Protecting our rights is fundamental. Protecting our Second Amendment rights is something I have taken a leadership role in doing during my entire public life [sic]. This is important because our Founding Fathers believed that the government should not interfere with the citizen's right to keep and bear arms.

The legislation you mentioned would limit the number of guns an individual could purchase within a month and would also increase the number of steps a gun dealer has to make to sell guns. You can be assured that will not support this legislation [sic] and will work to prevent this bill from moving.

While I applaud congresswoman Blackburn's position, I believe someone should teach her interns how to proofread a letter.