I was appalled today to see that you’re participating in an NRA sponsored webex call about your approach to unlicensed carry of firearms in TN. This legislation is opposed by all TN law enforcement, and many, many Tennessee residents who don’t want to see you turn TN into a firearm free for all. I’m 75 years old and I cannot think of ONE instance in my life where I thought I needed a firearm to protect myself. What about you, Governor; how many times have you felt the need to possess a loaded firearm to protect yourself? What about your family members? Do they frequently, or ever, feel so threatened that they believe carrying a firearm will protect them? This is fallacious thinking in the extreme. The proliferation of easy access to firearms has turned this country into a ticking time bomb. Firearms, especially handguns, in the hands of uneducated fearful citizens, will do nothing to protect the general public, or enhance the circumstances we all live in. I fear being the victim of a situation where someone carrying a firearm feels threatened enough to fire that gun in a crowded environment. You motivation to allow any and all Tennesseans to carry loaded firearms in public places is totally misguided. You simply cannot justify what you and the legislature are trying to do in this regard. I hope you will listen to TN law enforcement and the citizens of your state and decide NOT to sign this legislation. Your promotion of this initiative illustrates that you are out of touch with the needs of your state. Do the right thing and veto this legislation.
