TN FIREARMS FREEDOM ACT!!!

Mae Beavers Chairman
Judiciary Committee
7 Legislative Plaza
_____________________________
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0223
Commerce, Labor and Agriculture
Phone: (615) 741-2421
Senate Chamber Committee
____________________________
Fax: (615) 253-0205
Transportation
State of Tennessee
sen.mae.beavers@capitol.tn.gov
Committee
Senator Mae Beavers
State Senator
17th District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alexander McVeagh
June 3, 2009 Phone: (615) 741-7821
Senator Mae Beavers and Senate Pass TN Firearms
Freedom Act: Tells Federal Government to “Get Out
of Our Business”
NASHVILLE, TN – The State Senate approved legislation today that seeks to combat the
destruction of the 10th Amendment of the Constitution by the Federal government in their
attempt to infringe upon states’ rights. Senate Bill 1610, known as the “Tennessee Firearms
Freedom Act,” sponsored by Senator Beavers, takes a step in the right direction to restore to the
states control of intra-state commerce and the regulation of firearms manufactured and sold
within Tennessee.
“Be it the federal government mandating changes in order for states to receive federal funds or
the federal government telling us how to regulate commerce contained completely within this
state – enough is enough,” urged Judiciary Chairman Mae Beavers. “Our founders fought too
hard to ensure states’ sovereignty and I am sick and tired of activist federal officials and judges
sticking their noses where they don’t belong.”
The Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act asserts that if a firearm and/or ammunition is made totally
within the state of Tennessee, and stamped “Made in Tennessee”, then the federal government
has no jurisdiction over that item in any fashion so long as it remains in state and outside of
interstate commerce. All state regulations applying to the possession of firearms in Tennessee
would still be applicable and must be complied with. This legislation is being proposed to
prevent a federal attempt to legislate beyond the Constitutional limits of Congress.
The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that which has been
delegated by the people to the federal government, and also that which is absolutely necessary to
advancing those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. The
amendment was adopted after the Constitutional ratification process to emphasize the fact that
the states remained individual and unique sovereignties. Unfortunately, some courts’
interpretation of Congress’ power implied by the commerce clause has been misconstrued to
suggest it’s unlimited application to state regulation. An effort by the federal government to
regulate intrastate commerce under the guise of powers implied by the interstate commerce
clause could only result in an encroachment of the state’s power to regulate commerce within its
borders. This bill is similar to one signed into law in Montana, and is currently pending passage
in at least 30 other states.
The State House of Representatives passed the companion bill (HB 1796 by Ben West and
Henry Fincher) last week and the bill will now head to the governor’s office where he will have
to choose whether to side with the 87 Representatives and 21 Senators who voted in favor of the
bill.
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http://www.maebeavers.net/pr2009.htm

When I read stuff like this, it makes me smile from ear to ear! No, I am not some grizzly gun nut, but I do believe Tennesseans should be familiar with firearms and their safe use for personal protection and hunting...What really fires me up about the TN Firearms Freedom Act is that it is a bold statement proclaiming we want the Federal Govt. off of our backs and out of our wallets!!!