Tennessee Gun Report

Back to our usual two accidental shootings a week, I see. Meanwhile, my local TV news says a woman fired shots at the Dept. of Children’s Services in downtown Nashville while someone else fired a gun outside of Rivergate mall yesterday. These rootin’-tootin’-shoot’em’up stories of irresponsible gun use are so common they apparently don’t even warrant posting on any news site’s website. Yee-haw, y’all.

• December 10, 2014:

• A Murfreesboro woman says she shot herself in the hand trying to shoot a dog who chased her cat. No charges filed.

• Another loaded gun was found in someone’s carry-on bag at the Nashville airport. Because forgetting about your gun is so responsible!

• According to a new report from gun control advocates, Tennessee has had 7 school shootings since Newtown, ranking it third in the nation. We are tied with North Carolina.

• December 9, 2014:

Guns were stolen from a home in Erwin.

This is an every day occurrence but it reminds me of one of my biggest pet peeves: people who leave guns in unlocked cars, or unsecured in their homes, where they are easily stolen. If you aren’t responsible enough to safely store your guns and keep them from falling into the hands of thieves, then you aren’t responsible enough to own one.

• December 8, 2014:

One of our safest, most responsible ever:

COOKEVILLE — A customer dining at Cheddar’s on Saturday caused some damage as his firearm accidentally discharged, according to a report filed by Cookeville Police Officer Anthony Leonard.

The customer, who was not charged with anything, said he was sliding over in his seat when his firearm went off, shooting the bench seat.

“The bullet went through the seat and struck the concrete/tile floor, causing approximately $500 in damage,” the report stated. “He did have a valid Tennessee handgun carry permit.”

No signs of malfunction were detected by Officer Leonard, but the weapon was in a holster that had no safeties or trigger guards.

The customer then put his weapon in his vehicle, unloaded, and no further action was taken.

And they told us this would never happen. Shocking! Also, no charges filed because hey, that would be wrong.

• December 6, 2014:

• A Williamson County grand jury has issued an indictment against one of its new commissioners for carrying a gun onto school property.

• December 3, 2014:

• If this Springfield man didn’t have a gun in his car, he probably would have cussed his fellow customer out and driven away. Instead, the presence of a gun caused the inevitable escalation:

A Springfield man is facing an aggravated assault charge after Franklin police say he pulled a pistol on a Hardee’s drive-thru customer Monday morning.

In an act that police are calling “parking lot rage,” Joseph R. Evans, 34, entered into a heated verbal altercation with another customer, which led him to get out of his car with a gun and approach the victim in a threatening manner, according to a Franklin Police Department news release.

Evans, who is free on a $15,000 bond, could face up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, if convicted.

Police urge those confronted with street violence to protect themselves by locking vehicle doors and driving away from the danger while calling 911.

That last bit is hilarious. In Tennessee, where everyone is carrying, the obvious response is to pull your own weapon. Slow clap, Tennessee Republicans.