Oak Ridge Today

Rally for Second Amendment, Constitution on Saturday

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Anderson County residents have organized a rally to show support for the Second Amendment and the U.S. Constitution in Clinton on Saturday.

“Aware of the threat to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of our great nation, some very concerned citizens of Anderson County, Tennessee, have banded together to demonstrate to those who attack our liberties that they will not be successful in their attempts to destroy America,” a press release said.

“While recognizing there is no immediate threat to to our liberties in East Tennessee, we feel strongly that we must stand with those in other parts of our county who are seeing immediate threats to their right to keep and bear arms, a right that is guaranteed and protected by the Constitution of our country,” the press release said.

The rally is scheduled to start at noon Saturday, April 21, on the steps of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. It is meant to “show support and solidarity with freedom-loving citizens throughout the United States,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Letter: Voted for Fleischmann, asks others to do the same

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To the Editor:

Our current political landscape is characterized by convoluted thinking, selfish decision-making, and turbulent, inconsistent values. We need a representative in Washington who is solid, stable, and unmovable in his or her standards. Chuck Fleischmann has already proven to be such a representative through his consistent voting record, standing up in defense of the life of the unborn, small business growth, Second Amendment rights, stronger national borders, and other issues key to our nation’s safety and quality of life.

I trust my life and the lives of my children in the hands of a principled leader like Chuck Fleischmann and believe he will best represent my voice and my vote. [Read more…]

Letter: Fleischmann a good fit for Third District

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To the Editor:

I have known Chuck Fleischmann for over five years and know him to be a good family man and a person of integrity. Chuck Fleischmann has served nearly three terms in the United States House of Representatives and has never strayed from his conservative values. He has voted in a fashion that fits the values of the majority of the Third District of Tennessee. Chuck, quite simply, is a good fit for the district.

Chuck opposes amnesty, votes to protect the Second Amendment, and supports the free market. He has repeatedly championed our free enterprise system. Chuck is a committed conservative, which can be seen in his voting record.

His commitment to veterans can be seen in the three new Veteran’s Affairs clincs in our district. [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…]

Sen. Corker also votes against Toomey-Manchin background checks

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U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, also voted Wednesday against the bipartisan Toomey-Manchin amendment to expand background checks for potential gun purchasers.

Like U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, Corker said he supported what is known as the Grassley amendment.

“Like most Americans, I want to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and dangerous mentally ill people,” Corker said in a press release Wednesday evening. “Today, I supported the Grassley amendment to enhance mental health reporting requirements, which I believe is the central issue, and to improve the background check system in a way that is not an impediment to Second Amendment rights. [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: Americans have right, responsibility to protect selves, property

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By Mark DeVol

Who is responsible for our safety?

The Militia Act of 1903 was initiated by U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root following the Spanish American War. H.R. 11654 established the “regular army”; the “organized militia,” henceforth known as the National Guard; and the “unorganized militia.”

H.R. 11654 defined the unorganized militia as “every able-bodied male between the ages of 18 and 45.” It further established that all members of the “unorganized militia” have the absolute personal right and Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms of any measure and type.

[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…]