Posted: Sunday, August 2, 2009 8:15 am

To the editor:
We can all thank God and breathe a sigh of relief that our State Legislators have finally vacated the State Capitol and returned to their local towns throughout Tennessee. Given more time, who knows what other strange ideas they could have come up with to enact.

One of their gems of wisdom went into effect on July 14. That being the case, here is a conversation that we might hear in a local bar.

Bartender: Evening sir. Can I get you something to drink?

Customer: Nope. Don't want nothin'. Cain't drink totin' my revolver.

Bartender: Oh? You've got a gun. I wouldn't have known.

Customer: Yup. Carry it everywhere I go.

B: So, if you don't want anything to drink and I couldn't serve you, just why did you come in here tonight?

C: 'Cause I got a constitutional rite to carry my gun into bars. Them guys in Nashville said I could.

B: Hmm. Other than that, is there some reason you think bringing your gun in here is going to help something? Are you afraid somebody's going to do you harm?

C: Nope. I'm not worried about me, but somebody in here might need 'pertection.

B: Anybody in particular?

C: Nope. Don't know a soul in here, but you never know when a problem might come up.

B: And what would you do if somebody caused a problem?

C: Don't 'rightly know, but I'll be ready.

John R. Duke
Mulberry Ct.