Senator Roller sits on fence and supports gun control by abstention

To The Editor:

Our interim 14th District Senator, Steve Roller, chose to abstain, not vote, or simply put, sat on the fence concerning the Senate bill to allow legal gun permit holders to carry their gun in a place that sells alcohol.

This could be the corner market, grocery store, restaurant, and yes, even a bar. The permit holder could not consume alcohol while in these public places.

I do not believe Warren County constituents, as well as the constituency of the 14th District, are split on this issue. We are in agreement with the rest of the state. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24-6, and Steve Roller sat on the fence. This positive vote for the bill confirms our concurrence with the whole state.

Sen. Roller advises us that this is not the first time this legislation has been presented which indicates to me that he, being an officer of the court, was fully aware of the issues pertaining to this bill and should easily recognize the wishes of the district. Regardless of how he feels about the bill, he should have voted one way or the other.

It appears he listened to gun controllers and law enforcement unions and did not have the courage to vote yea or nay.

The county performed brilliantly in the process to put our senator in his seat to vote yea or nay, not to sit on the fence and protect his assets until August.

Sam Allen

Hickory Blvd.

McMinnville