Oak Ridge Today

Roane State Shooting Sports Team places second at nationals

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The Roane State Shooting Sports Team places second nationally at the Scholarship Clay Target Program (SCTP) National College Championships. From left are Nathan Hembree, Nathan Wattenbarger, Ty McCaskey, Madeline Kittrell, Assistant Coach Kevin Hembree, Head Coach Kenneth Carey, Assistant Coach James Wattenbarger, Lauren Sanders, Andy Carey, Andrew Smith, and Codey Dean. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler

CROSSVILLE—These marksmen—and women—are among the nation’s best.

The eight-member Roane State Community College Shooting Sports Team was on target for runner-up high overall national champion team, along with two national runner-up wins and a third place finish in the Scholarship Clay Target Program (SCTP) National College Championships.

“We’re very proud of the team and their accomplishments,” volunteer head coach Kenneth Carey said of the squad’s achievements in the SCTP competitions, held October 28-30 in Marengo, Ohio. “They have an excellent work ethic. Their practice and ability and skill proved to be a force nationally.”

Some 271 athletes representing teams from 16 states participated. The Raiders are in the Division 3 category—squads with 10 members or less. That division was “by far the most competitive,” Carey said, because 14 teams were involved.

Roane State’s Raiders competed against teams from the University of Alabama, Arizona State, and Florida State, among others. [Read more…]

Letter: NRA endorses Ragan

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To the Editor:

The National Rifle Association recently posted their candidate ratings for the Tennessee House of Representatives.

In the race for House District 33, State Representative John Ragan (R–Oak Ridge) received an A rating and the endorsement of the pro-Second Amendment organization.

According to a release from the NRA, Representative Ragan is their choice in the upcoming August 7 Republican primary. Since being elected to office in 2010, Ragan has supported various bill centered around protecting the Second Amendment rights of Tennesseans. [Read more…]

Alexander votes against assault weapons ban, expanded background checks

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander on Wednesday joined senators opposing one amendment that would have expanded background checks for potential gun purchasers and another to ban assault weapons.

New gun-control measures are being considered four months after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Wednesday’s votes were considered major defeats for supporters of tougher gun laws.

A Tennessee Republican, Alexander said he instead supports a proposal offered by senators Chuck Grassley, a Iowa Republican, and Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican. He said the Grassley-Cruz amendment would strengthen federal prosecution under existing gun laws and clarify which records must be included in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. [Read more…]

Guest column: Alexander supports gun bill debate, opposes Toomey-Manchin amendment

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

The first substantive vote in the gun rights debate this week. It is on the Toomey-Manchin amendment to expand background checks.

I will vote “no.” This amendment would impose a background check system that is overly broad, vague, and ultimately ineffective. And despite the assurances of its supporters, it could easily evolve into a national gun registry that would be an intrusion into the privacy and lives of the American people.

On Thursday, I voted “yes” to start the debate because this is a debate Republicans should want. This is a debate we can win. [Read more…]

Alexander, Corker vote to start debate on gun legislation, vow to defend Second Amendment

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

The U.S. Senate on Thursday agreed to start debate on gun control legislation.

It was considered the first hurdle in the most serious gun control effort in years.

U.S. senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, both Tennessee Republicans, were among the senators who voted 68-31 to turn back a filibuster and move on to the bill. [Read more…]

Letter: Second Amendment ‘fanatics’ unchallenged, reasonable regulations constitutional

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To the Editor:

I have worked with mentally disabled people for more than 30 years, including serious predators.

Please do not let the apologists for the National Rifle Association try to change the subject to just reinstitutionalizing the mentally ill. Yes, the mental health system is seriously broken nationwide, but this is only a symptom of the malaise of the country that has ceased to accept responsibility for caring properly for the sick and the poor. OMG! A right to health care and food! Appalling.

Unmanaged and untreated mental illness is a national tragedy and disgrace, but it is not to blame for guns in the hands of unstable people. Our acquiescence and silence and failure to challenge the Second Amendment fanatics is the root cause.

[Read more…]

Educators respond to proposals to allow armed teachers in Tennessee

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The Tennessee Education Association said this week that it is neutral on gun laws.

But the organization did release a statement after some legislators proposed allowing teachers to carry guns in Tennessee schools. The proposals followed the Dec. 14 school shooting at Newtown, Conn., that killed 20 students, six adults, the gunman, and his mother.

Here’s the TEA statement:

[Read more…]