Wednesday, October 12 2011 6:15 PM EDT2011-10-12 22:15:37 GMT
A Tennessee state lawmaker who was the lead sponsor of a law allowing handgun concealed carry permit holders to bring their guns into bars has been arrested on charges of drunken driving and possession of a gun while under the influence. INSIDE: Read court documents More >>
MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - You'll have to forgive former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen if smirked when he heard that Collierville representative Curry Todd had been arrested in Nashville on a DUI and a gun charge.
During the great debate over guns in Tennessee bars, Bredesen warned Todd and other lawmakers that "guns and alcohol don't mix." I'm sure at the time Bredesen didn't mean it to be a personal warning to Todd, but as it turns out, it should have been.
Todd won the guns in bars battle; Governor Bredesen lost. During the debate, Rep. Todd informed the governor that the people of Tennessee were – I'm quoting here – "responsible gun holders." The statement was just as ridiculous then as it is now.
Of course, Tennessee has some responsible gun owners, and undoubtedly some who are not. More to the point, even people with the best of intentions, even people like Representative Todd, fall victim to our common human frailties.
That's something to consider the next time gun advocates come back to the statehouse.
That's my turn. Now it's your turn. To comment on this segment or anything else, email yourturn@wmctv.com or call 800-465-1210.
WMC-TV 5 V.P. & General Manager Lee Meredith
