MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Republicans in the Tennessee legislature like to portray themselves as pro police – any time anywhere. But the truth is, they are much more beholden to the gun lobby than they are to law enforcement.
Want proof? Just look at the legislature’s forward march toward passing a bill allowing people to carry handguns without a permit. The legislation is on Governor Bill Lee’s priority list for passage this year. And lawmakers are steadily pushing it through House and Senate committees without any hint of a roadblock.
All of this is happening despite police officials around the state speaking out against the proposed bill. And you can understand why. No police officer wants to deal with the prospect of someone walking around either with a concealed handgun or openly carrying the weapon without a permit, especially at a time when every police encounter is subject to scrutiny.
Democrats are objecting to the bill, but they have no power to stop it. So the only hope left is for law enforcement to appeal for common sense.
Memphis police department Deputy Chief Samuel Hines testified against the bill before a legislative committee last week. But Republicans are refusing to listen. They know where their marching orders come from. They get more campaign dollars from the NRA and other pro-gun groups than from police unions. And as everyone knows, when money talks, politicians listen. And that’s my point of view.