1st TFA meeting for Nashville

I believe we finally got a TFA chapter going for the Nashville area last night. We met over at APPS (Academy of Personal Protection and Security) to start the chapter. For those that don't know, The TFA is the Tennessee Firearms Association. Founded by Buford Tune and John Harris. There are mostly responsible for the changes for the better in Tennessee's concealed weapons permits. John is up on Capitol Hill when the state house/senate is in session fighting for YOUR right to carry a concealed weapon. The Nashville chapter NEEDS members and support. The only cost (it looks like so far) will be the cost of your food if we meet at a restaurant somewhere and your membership in the Tennessee Firearms Association. Buford told us last night that we can meet in his classroom as long as he doesn't have a class scheduled.

Right now the two most important gun related issues on the hill right now is the removal of the stupid ban on carrying your weapon in a restaurant that serves alcohol for on site consumption...even if you aren't consuming and the bill removing the restrictions for carrying in a state park, office building, etc.
As for the restaurant carry bill, there is some debate on how the current law is written, there is no explusion for police. It could be argued rather successfully that they might in fact be breaking the law by NOT disarming when stopping for lunch/dinner.
The law states:
a) It is an offense for a person to possess a firearm within the confines of a building open to the public where liquor, wine or other alcoholic beverages, as defined in § 57-3-101(a)(1)(A), or beer, as defined in § 57-6-102(1), are served for on premises consumption.

(b) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(c) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to a person who is:

(1) In the actual discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer, or is employed in the army, air force, navy, coast guard or marine service of the United States or any member of the Tennessee national guard in the line of duty and pursuant to military regulations, or is in the actual discharge of duties as a correctional officer employed by a penal institution; or

(2) On the person's own premises or premises under the person's control or who is the employee or agent of the owner of the premises with responsibility for protecting persons or property.


[Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 1029, § 4; 2001, ch. 345, § 1.]

Poorly written law. No one in their right mind would expect a cop to leave his weapon in his car...but lunch, off duty, the law is written so poorly that one could make a case that the cops were breaking the law just by having lunch someplace that doesn't ask " do ya want fries with dat?"