Governor Again Vetoes “Guns in Bars”

Governor Phil Bredesen announced his veto of the “guns in bars” law passed this month by the state legislature.

The General Assembly passed a version of the law last year over the governor’s veto. That law was struck down by a court. In a written message, Bredesen says the legislature had been given a second chance to pass more responsible legislation, but instead-quote-“essentially re-passed last year’s legislation in an even more expansive and dangerous form.”

House Sponsor Curry Todd, a Memphis Republican, was sick in bed with an asthma attack. But he sent word that he would ask the legislature to overturn the veto.

Dickson Democrat Doug Jackson sponsored the bill in the senate. He predicts the veto overturn will be a straightforward and easy vote.

“Keep in mind that the Senate passed the legislation 23 to 9 this year. And in the House, the legislation passed by a vote 66 to 31. In both cases, that is a super majority vote, representing support from both parties.”

The lawmakers only need a simple majority to override the governor’s veto.

It’s not clear whether the governor left the signed message on his desk before he went to China, or whether he faxed the veto from his trade mission trip in Asia.