Tennessee Goes For Its Guns

The Senate has now joined the House in overriding Gov. Phil Bredesen’s veto of a bill to allow handguns to be carried in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

The Senate voted 21-9 against the veto on Thursday, a day after the House voted 69-27. Fifty votes in the House and 17 in the Senate were needed to turn back the veto.

Before the governor’s veto, the measure was to take effect June 1, but will now be effective in 40 days, which is July 14.

Currently, 37 states have similar legislation.

Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said after Wednesday’s House vote that the Democratic governor expected an override when he vetoed the bill last week.