NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The latest battle between the two men running for Tennessee governor has Tennessee gun laws right in the center of it.
It started when Bill Haslam told a group this week he would back legislation that would get rid of handgun carry permits for concealed weapons. It turns out there has been a push to do this for several years in the state legislature, and now some are saying this could soon become a reality if Haslam is elected Governor.
His opponent Mike McWherter, had a press conference Saturday. He said doing away with gun permits is the last thing Tennessee needs.
"If you do away with that permitting process, then that means literally, anyone can be going armed in the state of Tennessee. I don't think that's what voters of this state want," said Mike McWherter.
Governor Bredesen weighed in on the matter saying, "Just because the Legislature does something stupid doesn't mean the Governor has to fall in line with that."
Bill Haslam says he personally prefers that the permit law remain the way it is now and would make his views known to legislators; but if elected, he would sign a repeal bill if it is approved by lawmakers.
