Misguided Lawmakers Make an Uninformed Decision

The recent law allowing guns in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages is a hotly debated topic nationwide. Recent information has surfaced regarding a a gun rights advocate lobbying as if he was registered, when he wasn’t.

John Harris, a gun rights activist has spoken to lawmakers pushing them to pass laws allowing guns in restaurants, and even public parks. Jim Kyle, Senate Minority Leader from Memphis, TN stated, “Mr. Harris is perceived on Capitol Hill no differently than any of the other contract lobbyists.” (Associated Press).

While Mr. Harris hasn’t broken any laws, many lawmakers considered him to be a lobbyist, naming his active pursuit at Legislative Plaza to have led them to believe he was a registered lobbyist. Similarly, lawmakers were mislead to think that 40 states had laws comparable to the one they were asked to pass.

We understand that John Harris is well within his rights as a citizen. However, it is questionable that a once-gun rights lobbyist is pursuing lawmakers to pass bills in what appears to be a underhanded attempt to push one’s beliefs. It is not our intent to limit one’s right to bear arms, but it is important to overturn a law passed on misguided information in order to keep Tennessee establishments safe.