Two Democratic candidates for governor wasted no time in professing solidarity with Governor Phil Bredesen with regard to his veto of legislation to permit gun-permit holders to carry their weapons into bars and restaurants.
Said former House majority leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville: “I have stood with law enforcement officials and small business owners in my community for years, opposing this legislation time and again. I applaud Governor Bredesen and our law enforcement officials who have made a stand for this small but pertinent measure.”
Said Nashville businessman Ward Cammack: “I support the Second Amendment as much as anyone, but I strongly agree with Governor Bredesen and law enforcement officials from across the state that guns and alcohol do not mix. That’s just common sense.”
Of the other two declared Democratic candidates, state Senator Roy Herron of Dresden was a sponsor of the gun bill, and Jackson businessman Mike McWherter has not yet issued a statement.
Among declared Republican candidates, Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons subscribes to the statement “Gus and alcohol don’t mix,” but has taken no position on the veto other than to say that as governor he would not have invoked that gubernatorial prerogative because he regarded a legislative override as certain.
Lt. Governor/state Senator Ron Ramsey of Blountville was a sponsor of the gun measure, and U.S. congressman Zach Wamp of Chattanooga and Knoxville mayor Bill Haslam have not yet issued statements.
