House Republicans have
set forth a number of proposals to ensure Safe Homes, Safe
Neighborhoods and a Safe Tennessee.
Drug
Trafficking: In order to ensure a safe Tennessee, we must
develop a comprehensive strategy to curb drug trafficking, particularly
methamphetamines.
Tennessee is blessed with beautiful hills and
mountains and roads that wind through them for our citizens to enjoy.
Unfortunately, some among us use these landscapes as a shield as they
manufacture deadly methamphetamines.
We will
work to put meth precursors on the controlled substance schedules and give
law enforcement effective laws to prosecute those who manufacture,
distribute, transport or sell this deadly drug.
Those who deal drugs are currently criminally
liable for the damage inflict on our state.
We will push for civil liability against drug dealers so that
families and communities that are affected by the parasites who profit
from drugs will be able to recover damages that result from their crimes.
Homeland
Security: Republicans in the House will push legislation
addressing hazardous materials of concern and require criminal background
checks for individuals who transport these materials. With so many
facilities in our state that handle hazardous materials, it only makes
sense to know who is moving those materials.
Finally, we will undo a mistake that the
legislature made two years ago and repeal the law that allows illegal
immigrants to get a driver’s license. It was passed before 9/11 and I
don’t think it would have passed after.
We have already seen incidences in Greeneville and
Memphis where illegal immigrants came to Tennessee from other states for
the sole purpose of getting a driver’s license. California recently
repealed a similar measure. This law is too liberal for California and for
Tennessee.
2nd Amendment rights: House
Republicans support legislation that will allow concealed carry
permit holders to carry their handguns in restaurants as long as they do
not consume alcohol. This is a bi-partisan bill and it should be passed
this year.
We will set up a mechanism to allow law
enforcement agencies the discretion to open their shooting ranges to the
public when they aren’t being used for law enforcement purposes. In
exchange, individuals and groups that use these ranges can make
improvements to the range or pay for the use of the range.
House Republicans will bring legislation that
grant members of our Armed Forces an extension on their concealed carry
permit while they are away from the state on active duty.
They shouldn't lose their permit to carry a handgun because they have
taken up arms to defend our country.
