TFA October meeting features General Dennis Jackson, USA, Ret.

There were ten million land mines when we got there.

Said General Dennis Jackson, as he addressed the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA). Jackson was referring to mines that were laid during the ten year occupation of Afghanistan by the (now defunct) Soviet Union, which some say was the Soviet's Vietnam War.

The United States, along with a coalition force of 67 nations, invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 to overthrow the Taliban. Jackson was the logistics officer of the operation. At issue today, according to Jackson, is the risk of a failed state.

. . . but, sooner or later, we will grow tired of being there. Our current national objective is Afghan self-determination, but after a while, we've got to leave.

He contrasted Soviet action in Afghanistan, primarily Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), with current U.S. forces actively patrolling in the countryside.

Jackson states that Afghanistan is a nation smaller than Texas, with a population close to that of California. Much of the society is debilitated by drug use. Lots of lithium has been recently found there, which could have a significant impact on the economy.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Frank Cagle says 'State Gun Advocates Pushing Too Hard'

Read his MetroPulse article HERE, and read my comment at the bottom of that page.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

TVA contacts needed

In an earlier post, I wrote about the fact that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has held out against lawful carry of defensive firearms in certain TVA areas. This is in contrast to other Federal areas such as National Parks and Forests. (LINK)

Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA) member David Borum has been in contact with TVA, and here is a request from him:

Subj: TVA Firearm Presentation

I met with the TVA Senior Vice President over Recreation today and presented him with the TVA Petition that we all signed and gave a presentation on the carry permit and the people that have them.  I also included a presentation that showed TVA compared to all the other Public land managers in the State and their policy’s’.  The meeting went very well and they now have a better understanding of permit holders and program.  With your help, we are looking for a policy to change TVA’s rule to reflect the same policy of the National Park Service.  This will make federal lands and state lands more consistent across this state and other states TVA manages lands.   They could not give me any time lines but they do want input.  Right now the best thing to do is to go to the www.TVA.gov  website and find the contact page.    Once you are there briefly and POLITELY ask TVA to change their firearm rules on Firearm Carry Permit Holders to reflect the same policy as the National Park Service on TVA “undeveloped” AND “developed” lands that are open to the public. You do not have to be a Tennessee Resident to comment.

IMPORTANT:

Include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and ask them to “Please add your comments to the public record”. 

Thanks

David Borum

Please follow up on Borum's request, and contact TVA with your thoughts.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennessee Firearms Association Knoxville Chapter

THE NOVEMBER MEETING WILL BE HELD ON

TUESDAY EVENING November 2, 2010

Our guest speaker will be TFA member David Borum who will speak on ongoing efforts with TVA to allow permit holders to carry on TVA lands. David will also give some insight on letter writing to politicians and organizations such as TVA.

Meetings are held at the Gondolier Restaurant in South Knoxville just off Chapman Highway, behind the iHop, in the Lowe’s plaza, the gratuity will no longer be added to your check. A pre-meeting social hour is from 6 PM to 7 pm during which you may wish to eat dinner. The meeting will begin at 7 PM and end at 8 PM. Participation by those in attendance is always encouraged. Firearms are permitted in this restaurant, pursuant to current law.

Gun owners, persons involved in the shooting sports, Second Amendment supporters and interested public are urged to attend, YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND. For more information contact:

Bill Noll; wsnoll@comcast.net 865-688-0321 or

Charlie Thoms; Cthoms43@aol.com 865-233-4561

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TFA Websites:

http://www.tennesseefirearms.com

http://www.tfaonline.org/memberforum - open to the public. Good discussions

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“That the citizens of the State have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defense, but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime.” Tennessee Constitution, Article 1-Declaration of Rights, section 26

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Tennessee Governor's race, the final week

Last year, Bill Haslam met with the Knoxville Tennessee Firearms Assocation (TFA) group, and indicated he was in the learning mode. Many were skeptical, including this writer. He went on to recommend to the Knoxville City Council that they keep their 1962 parks ban in place. Indications were that he had not learned enough at that time.

More recently, however, Haslam has addressed the Nashville area TFA group, and his statements indicate he has learned. At that meeting, he indicated that he would sign a permit-less (Constitutional) carry bill if it was sent to him by the Legislature(video). And today's News-Sentinel story has him in favor of parking lot carry.

In contrast Mike McWherter, indicates his elitist disregard for the rights of Tennessee firearms owners. He thinks that we hillbillies can't be trusted to use good judgement, and therefore: 1) should not have had the restaurant carry bill passed this year, 2) surely can not be trusted with carrying a firearm until after we get our permission slip from the state, and 3) states his opposition to keeping a defensive firearm in a parking lot at one's place of employment. See his comments in the News-Sentinel links above.

Here's a quick look at the three issues I raise with McWherter - -

1. Restaurant carry: It is now law in Tennessee. No gunfights reported as a result. Lawful citizens are still good citizens, even when they are packin' heat.  Just like in the many other states where this has been law for years (handgunlaw.us).
2. Constitutional carry: Vermont has had this for decades. Alaska and Vermont now have it. And vehicle carry is legal in most states contiguous to Tennessee without a permit required (handgunlaw.us). Open carry (not concealed) on the person without a permit is lawful in five states contiguous to Tennessee(opencarry.org).
3. Parking lot carry: First, you must come to grips with the idea that a disgruntled employee will not be stopped or slowed down by a no guns policy in the building or the parking lot. Second, to prevent an employee from having the means to self-preservation available (under the guise of property rights) is unconscionable.

In conclusion, we can hope that Haslam has learned. And it is obvious that McWherter, in a typical leftist stance, opposes individual gun rights, and wants to keep as many impediments as possible limiting the right to keep and bear arms.

Vote Haslam!

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.

Accidental firearms discharges

Tonight, CNBC is doing a piece of the Remington 700 rifle. There are allegations that it is unsafe. If that is the case, I just wonder how Remington could have avoided serious legal judgments over the years. Anyway, the truth will eventually come out.

Closer to home, a Knox County jailer is reported by the Knoxville News-Sentinel to have accidentally shot a friend in the hip. The story goes like this. The friend didn't like guns, the jailer attempted to clear his gun in the confines of the back seat, and fired the gun, striking the friend in the front seat.
The friend was treated and released.

The jailer is now back at work, but can never be a bonded deputy in Knox County.

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You will have an accidental discharge!

said Bob W, my instructor when I got the mandatory training for the Tennessee handgun carry permit. I had been shooting for nigh on forty years when I took that class, but had yet to have the dreaded accidental discharge (AD). But, my time was coming.

It was several years after that, and I had finished a session at the range. I cleared the ancient Ruger pistol, and pointed it at the ground in front of me, downrange. I pulled the trigger to drop the hammer, and instead of hearing a click, I heard a BANG!

Bob was right. I had now had my AD. Eventually, my heart slowed down, and I learned a lesson.

This jailer's event reminds us that we should never deviate from Cooper's* four fundamental rules of gun safety:

1. All firearms are always loaded.
2.  Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target.
4.  Be sure of your target and what is behind it.

It appears from the newspaper reports that he violated rule two, and maybe rule three. But, not to add to his misery, we should all take a lesson from his experience. You see, we are all by virtue of being human, imperfect. So, if we faithfully attempt to follow all four, there is some redundancy built in . . .  and if we miss one, the other three may keep us from a regretful experience.

Another lesson, too - If you have a friend that dislikes guns so much that they want you to disarm, maybe you should find new friends.

*For more info: Jeff Cooper

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If you find this article to be informative or interesting, please share the link with your friends. Feel free to share the entire article, including this link back: http://goodhillpress.blogspot.com/

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Save ten bucks. Join NRA or renew here for only $25.00.

Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gun rights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.