Law enforcement officials unanimously reject proposal

Chris Echegaray • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • March 14, 2008 There's not one law enforcement official who agrees with the Sen. Doug Jackson's proposal. Tennessee’s Public Safety Coalition, consisting of police chiefs, sheriffs, and district attorneys general from across the state, this week sent a letter to Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and members of the House of Representatives urging them to reject legislation that would allow handgun permit holders to carry firearms into bars and restaurants that sell alcohol. The letter was simple enough: guns and alcohol don’t mix, and that passage of the legislation will not be good for Tennesseans or our visitors. Signing the letter on behalf of the Public Safety Coalition were Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas, Nashville District Attorney Torry Johnson, Knoxville District Attorney Randy Nichols, Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons, Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, Montgomery County Sheriff Norman Lewis, and District Attorney Mike Dunavant, who represents the 25th Judicial District. The Chiefs of Police in Knoxville and Chattanooga concur with the Public Safety Coalition’s stand.