Republican lawmaker Curry Todd of Tennessee believes a person should be able to walk into a bar or restaurant serving alcohol and bring their handgun, as long they have a permit and don’t drink.

 

Todd, however, was unable to live up to his own law, which established the right to carry guns into bars in 2009. On Tuesday, he was arrested for driving under the influence while in possession of a .38-caliber revolver. A police report said Todd was nearly falling down from inebriation. Earlier in the day, his divorce was finalized after his wife had alleged “inappropriate marital conduct.”

 

The legislator was apologetic for his actions, and expects to be punished by House leaders in the Tennessee legislature, possibly even losing his chairmanship of the State and Local Government Committee. On Thursday, Todd resigned his position as chairman of the all-Republican House firearms task force, which has yet to meet.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Curry Todd's Complicated Legacy, As of Now (by Jackson Baker, Memphis Flyer)

Rep. Curry Todd Arrested for DUI (by Tealy Devereaux, My Fox Memphis)

Tenn. Lawmaker Arrested on DUI, Gun Charges (by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press)

Todd Resigns as Chairman of House Firearms Panel (by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press)