helps to know what you are talking about

So apparently the Mayors Against Illegal Guns took out some massive, whole-page ad in USA Today against the Senate approving H.R. 822, which would require states that issue handgun carry permits (or their equivalents) to recognize other states’ permits.  *shrug*  Cannot say as though I particularly care about a group of self-righteous, bigoted egotists who, on average, are convicted of crimes significantly more often than average citizens, so I never would have even noticed if it were not for John Richardson mentioning it.  Taking a quick gander at the advertisement itself (which is so chock-a-block full of anti-rights idiocy that it would take another whole post to adequately address), I could not help but to start giggling when I got to the list of mayors at the bottom. 

Why?  Well, maybe this email I sent to Mayor A. C. Wharton (mayor(at)memphistn.gov), Mayor Tom Beehan (tbeehan(at)cortn.org), and Mayor Daniel Brown (mayor(at)cityofknoxville.org) will help you understand my mirth: 

Dear Mayors Wharton, Beehan, and Brown,

My name is Jonathan Sullivan and I am writing to you today for a little clarification. It has recently come to my attention that your name has been included on a Mayors Against Illegal Guns advertisement that was printed in a recent USA Today and is visible here: http://mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/usa-today-10-20.pdf . This advertisement vehemently opposes the Senate passing H.R. 822, the National Reciprocity Act, which would effectively require all states that issue handgun carry permits (or their equivalents) to recognize other states’ permits (rather like drivers’ licenses are handled already); however, I am less concerned with national law, and more concerned with the laws here in Tennessee.

Are you aware that Tennessee already recognizes all handgun carry permits, carrying a concealed weapon licenses, concealed weapon permits, and their equivalents issued by all states in the Union, per Tennessee State Code 39-17-1351 (r) (1), which reads, "A facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit or license issued by another state shall be valid in this state according to its terms and shall be treated as if it is a handgun permit issued by this state; provided, however, the provisions of this subsection (r) shall not be construed to authorize the holder of any out-of-state permit or license to carry, in this state, any firearm or weapon other than a handgun."? In other words, by law, Tennessee already abides by the requirements which would be imposed by H.R. 822.

If you knew of this Tennessee law, why are you supporting the unjust limitation of my rights to self-defense and self-preservation in other states? Why do you believe my rights end at the Tennessee borders, if our neighboring states decide they should? On average, Tennessee handgun carry permit holders are less likely to be convicted of crimes than non-permit holding Tennessee residents (see: http://www.wallsofthecity.net/2011/05/handgun-carry-permit-holders-are-more-law-abiding.html ), and, in fact, they are less likely to be convicted of crimes than MAIG members (see: http://www.wallsofthecity.net/2010/02/a-criminal-perspective.html ), so what difference does it make which state I or any other HCP holder takes his or her firearm into?

If you did not know of this Tennessee law, perhaps your time would be better spent refreshing yourself on state and local legislation – which has a significantly more-direct affect upon your cities – rather than opposing national legislation which only serves to protect and preserve my individual, Constitutionally-protected rights?

Thank you for your time,
Jonathan Sullivan

(Please be advised: this email, and any response it receives, will be posted to http://www.wallsofthecity.net/ .)

… *headdesk* 

Here Tennessee – by state law – already abides by the regulations that would be imposed by H.R. 822, and these representatives-of-the-people are either blissfully unaware of it, or willing to oppose a law which would only serve to help their constituents and residents… or both, I suppose.  Great job, guys!