The Commercial Appeal comes out against a bill recently passed by the Tennessee Senate affirming the right of lawful handgun owners to carry their firearms into establishments that serve alcohol (they are still banned from drinking while carrying).

I find the contrast between these two parts humorous:

The self-defense issue certainly underpins the argument to let people go armed. Maybe that’s just a fear hyped up by those who have tirelessly pushed for strict interpretation of the Second Amendment, which says the government shall not infringe upon the right of citizens to keep and bear arms.

Yes, it must be the fear talking, not prudence and sober reverence of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the CA continues:

Having more guns in public, in our minds, doesn’t make citizens more secure and it can be a potential hazard if someone with a carry permit overreacts to a situation and fires rounds in a crowded public place.

To me, that kind of talk sounds like… (what do you call that emotion?)… oh, yeah… fear.

There are LOTS of responses to the editorial, and the commenters are not happy.

ELSEWHERE: Glenn Reynolds and others in Knoxville react similarly

UPDATE: The CA gets more negative feedback.