Fun in Tennessee

Tennessee was the subject of Rachel Maddow’s lead story tonight. It seems that the NRA National Convention is being held in Nashville beginning Friday. The state is thrilled to be hosting 70,000 delegates and getting the benefits of the money they spend and the publicity they bring. And most of the declared and possible 2016 Republican candidates for the nomination for President will be speaking (although the Republican Governor of Tennessee was not invited to speak).

The Tennessee Legislature currently has a Republican super majority and loves to pass gun laws. One current law permits legally permitted gun owners to carry guns in public places, except where specifically permitted by the local government with jurisdiction over the spaces.

These are things that have happened in the last couple of weeks:

1. A bill was introduced that would allow legal gun-holders to carry guns in all parks, superseding any local laws that prohibit guns.

2. An amendment was proposed that this should also include the Legislative Plaza and the State Capitol (where guns are currently banned).

3. The bill has currently been tabled.

4. There will be, according to advertisements, 14 acres of vendors and displays at the convention. None of the guns at the booths can be in working order - firing pins must be removed from all guns.

5. Attendees with legal carry permits will be allowed to carry at the convention.

6. Except during the entertainment (Jeff Foxworthy, Alan Jackson, etc.)

7. Concealed weapons will be allowed at the speeches by the potential Republican candidates.

8. There is currently a guy in Nashville (the Radnor Lake Rambo) who walks around schools and other public places, wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying a rifle (sometimes bolt-action, sometimes automatic). He has a permit for open carry, and has broken no gun laws by doing this. The police have no idea what to do about this guy.

Never a dull minute!