Guns and our athletes

[NYYVol]

This is just wrong. You must think of Knoxville as Bearden and Farragut and have your ears plugged when the news about the Newsom murders dominated. Knoxville has a broad area by Lonsdale that is as dangerous as Memphis or Detroit. Many of the parties and clubs that frequent the kind of music favored by some of the athletes are often also frequented by the same dangerous people who live in the aforementioned part of Knoxville.

Although it's no where near where any of our players should be hanging out... Lonsdale and Walter P looks like a retirement village compared to places like Detroit and say, Baltimore.
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[MikeHamiltonFan]

Then the athletes shouldn't be there. It is not in the team's(or their) best interest.

Bill I agree with that.

I support irresponsible gun use being severely punished. I just do not like the broad stroke backlash where people say that UT should only have athletes who agree with some "guns are evil" bs.

Whether it was Titans I knew in Nashville, Falcons I knew in Atlanta or UT players I knew who went to places in Memphis, Atlanta and yes even Knoxville that were unsafe, I have never understood the desire to hang out around dangerous criminals.

If you are a millionaire, have the party at your place, or at a rented hotel suite, but stay away from the club where the jealous guy with nothing to lose can take a shot at you in the parking lot. You may be able to stab him to death like Ray Lewis and then get off, but Ray has to live with what he did.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

My thoughts are that the university can impose whatever conditions it wants on its athletes. The kids do not have to attend UTK if they do not like the conditions.

 

[VolsRule]

What's wrong with carrying a gun for protection? Knoxville's a violent city with a lot of criminals.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Strange you must not be a big student of history. The fact that I can protect my family from ruin and murder is not a grim choice. ICBMs are not grim weapons. I can avoid conflict by letting evil men know that they will forfeit their life if they come after me. It also serves to curb the excess of dictatorial governments which is why taking away guns was one of the first orders of business for many of the worst regimes in history including the Nazis. The founders of our great republic understood that, and that is why they drafted the 2nd Amendment. It is beautiful that Kennesaw Georgia has lower crime than much of the surrounding area because they require gun ownership.

25 years murder-free in 'Gun Town USA'

It never fails. Guys who spend thousands of dollars building a badass handgun collection and hours at the shooting range whipping themselves into an adrenline frenzy firing them always cloak themselves in all this maudlin rhetoric about the founding fathers. Again, I have no problem with gun ownership if it's regulated respnosibly. It's a dangerous world and we have a right to defend ourselves. I just don't understand why some people fetishize it so much.

 

[utvolpj]

My thoughts are that the university can impose whatever conditions it wants on its athletes. The kids do not have to attend UTK if they do not like the conditions.

so basically they're good enough to make millions of dollars for the univ (for tuition and free meals) but not worthy enough to have the same rights as all other students? Don't see that pitch working in recruiting

 

[GahLee]

There also is not a crime in that instance, except whatever pretense the police used to get into your house and then examine your weapons...

The felony is not dependent on the make and model of the gun. It is in large measure dependent on whether or not the DA believes that he can prove that Tyler or anyone else in the car knowingly altered the serial number or knowingly transported the gun with the altered serial number (which they were aware of) across state lines.

My guess is that Tyler cannot tell you where the serial number is, the difference between hollow point and armor piercing or whether a trigger pulls with 8 pounds or 80. The guy in all likelihood just does not know much about guns.

Was referring to the fact that theft over 500$ is a felony, if they were to charge Tyler with possessing a stolen handgun, and the gun was valued at more than 500$, couldn't he be charged with felony theft or possession of stolen property? Not sure, someone with better knowledge of the law respond to this please.

 

[Vercingetorix]

so basically they're good enough to make millions of dollars for the univ (for tuition and free meals) but not worthy enough to have the same rights as all other students? Don't see that pitch working in recruiting

If a prospective athlete is so worried about his right to keep a gun that it has a bearing on where he goes to school, then we don't need to be taking him anyway.

 

[hndog609]

Was referring to the fact that theft over 500$ is a felony, if they were to charge Tyler with possessing a stolen handgun, and the gun was valued at more than 500$, couldn't he be charged with felony theft or possession of stolen property? Not sure, someone with better knowledge of the law respond to this please.

I'm pretty sure it's only a crime if it can be proven the person had knowledge of the item(s) being stolen. If they can make a case Tyler (or whoever) knew they possessed a stolen item then yes, it could get ugly quickly, particularly if we're talking about the altered serial # weapon.

 

[GahLee]

guns are not registered in the state of tennessee.

It's not unlawful to have a gun that isn't registered to you? Or that isn't registered at all? Throws a red flag that you bought it from an unlicensed dealer, if it isn't unlawful, it certainly will cause you a headache with the cops.

 

[NYYVol]

It's not unlawful to have a gun that isn't registered to you? Or that isn't registered at all? Throws a red flag that you bought it from an unlicensed dealer, if it isn't unlawful, it certainly will cause you a headache with the cops.

You have to go through background checks to get the gun from a dealer.

Once the gun is received the person who got the gun can give the gun as a gift or sell it.

The person receiving the gun after that does not have to register it in the state ot TN.
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[hndog609]

It's not unlawful to have a gun that isn't registered to you? Or that isn't registered at all? Throws a red flag that you bought it from an unlicensed dealer, if it isn't unlawful, it certainly will cause you a headache with the cops.

TN doesn't have registration, so NOBODY in TN has a gun that is "registered". Well, there are exceptions, like Class III weapons but that's another issue. If the sale is peer to peer instate then there isn't even a background check. You can puchase a gun in somebody's driveway out of the newspaper classifieds.

 

[GahLee]

I'm pretty sure it's only a crime if it can be proven the person had knowledge of the item(s) being stolen. If they can make a case Tyler (or whoever) knew they possessed a stolen item then yes, it could get ugly quickly, particularly if we're talking about the altered serial # weapon.

That may be hard to prove, I suppose that one could play dumb about the altered serial numbers, but I find it hard to believe that whoever is found guilty of possession of the handgun with the altered serial number had no clue.

Is it known whether or not the ATF is involved yet? I cannot see a scenario where there isn't significant jail time here. Even if they have no priors. Anything is possible I suppose.

Anyway that this could be pleaded down to a misdemeanor? If so, can the players with the gun charges then plead judicial diversion and get probation and eventually have it expunged from their record if they stay out of trouble while on probation?

 

[GahLee]

TN doesn't have registration, so NOBODY in TN has a gun that is "registered". Well, there are exceptions, like Class III weapons but that's another issue. If the sale is peer to peer instate then there isn't even a background check. You can puchase a gun in somebody's driveway out of the newspaper classifieds.

I see. my Dad gave me .45, I worried that if it were to be stolen from my house and used in a crime that he would get in trouble, so we wrote up a little something saying he bought the gun and gave it to me as a gift, we both signed it and have a copy each, seems all for not I suppose...I admit that I 'm not to keen on all the gun laws except the major ones...thanks for the info.

 

[MikeHamiltonFan]

Yes they have no prior criminal records and there is a very good chance that this entire thing will result in no jail time. Brian Williams should be taking the hit and for a guy with pot in his zipped up backpack with his name on it to claim it is not his, he is showing stupidity and cowardice IMO.

 

[VOLnMiami]

This is just wrong. You must think of Knoxville as Bearden and Farragut and have your ears plugged when the news about the Newsom murders dominated. Knoxville has a broad area by Lonsdale that is as dangerous as Memphis or Detroit. Many of the parties and clubs that frequent the kind of music favored by some of the athletes are often also frequented by the same dangerous people who live in the aforementioned part of Knoxville.

Bud, I grew up in knoxville....I know the good areas and the bad areas quite well...They do not in any way shape or form compete with the areas you mentioned...Detroit is without doubt the most dangerous city in america and Memphis is a disgusting city throughout...Hell even Miami makes Knoxville look like disneyland incomparision...Been there seen that...You talk about the Newson murders, Crimes like that in knoxville are extremely rare indeed...In fact I never even heard about them until the trial was about to start down here because you know why?...Because in the big wide world of reality they were just another murder in a long long list of murders dominating the airwaves these days...Horrible murders indeed and probably the worse ever in k-town, but I hear about those types of crimes every single day....Still doesn't give athletes the right or the need to carry guns.

 

[bamacheats]

Break it down in its simplest form.
Speeding 25+ over the limit, reckless I think = Breaking the law
Having hippie lettuce = Breaking the law
Open container = Breaking the law
having loaded guns = Breaking the law
Altered serial #'s = Breaking the law
Misdemeanors or felonies, who cares. If Tyler Smith's shoes ever walk on The Summit I'm done.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Break it down in its simplest form.
Speeding 25+ over the limit, reckless I think = Breaking the law
Having hippie lettuce = Breaking the law
Open container = Breaking the law
having loaded guns = Breaking the law
Altered serial #'s = Breaking the law
Misdemeanors or felonies, who cares. If Tyler Smith's shoes ever walk on The Summit I'm done.

Lots of people said the same thing about Janzen Jackson. They're still posting.

 

[bamacheats]

Lots of people said the same thing about Janzen Jackson. They're still posting.

I'm disturbed by how that was handled as well. I think he should have been suspended until fall. Just my opinion.

How much does Gordon Gee bear responsibility? The APR is playing a critical role in Bruce's decision. He could can all four but that would wreck UT's APR and prove sevestating in the future with lost schollies. Any thoughts?

 

[lawgator1]

Was referring to the fact that theft over 500$ is a felony, if they were to charge Tyler with possessing a stolen handgun, and the gun was valued at more than 500$, couldn't he be charged with felony theft or possession of stolen property? Not sure, someone with better knowledge of the law respond to this please.

Distinguish between the value of the stolen item in terms of a possession of stolen property charge versus possession of a stolen and un or imporperly registered firearm, with a serial number altered on it to interfere with tracing it.

They are likely going to be viewed differently, with the latter being I would think far more serious.

Besides, surely you are not suggesting that if the gun was cheap enough its okay to possess it, especially under these circumstances...

 

[hndog609]

Distinguish between the value of the stolen item in terms of a possession of stolen property charge versus possession of a stolen and un or imporperly registered firearm, with a serial number altered on it to interfere with tracing it.

They are likely going to be viewed differently, with the latter being I would think far more serious.

Besides, surely you are not suggesting that if the gun was cheap enough its okay to possess it, especially under these circumstances...[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the statutory severity of the legal issues involved, not if it was "okay".

 

[lawgator1]

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the statutory severity of the legal issues involved, not if it was "okay".

I assumed so, but there is an undercurrent on the board right now that suggests that some would like to minimize the severity of this if the criminal charges can be ... massaged.

Imagine if you picked up the paper and read that four young men were driving 25 mph over the limit with pot, open containers, and guns with serial numbers altered. You'd think to yourself "throw away the key."

That should be the default reaction here, IMO.

I don't know where the line is exactly, but I know this is way over it.

 

[All Vol!]

MHF is right. We should show all our athletes how to safely handle a gun. And have each of them get a permit so when they get pulled over with pot they wont get into big trouble. Makes perfect sense.......or how about we go ahead and get all our athletes a permit to smoke weed legally. That will really show everyone.....

I don't know if I've just got the giggles tonight or what (no, I'm not high!), but I swear I laughed a good full minute at your post. I know you were using sarcasm to make a point, but it was also just quite funny in the way you worded it. Well done. lol::good!:

 

[MikeHamiltonFan]

UT adopts zero-tolerance policy for guns and drugs GoVolsXtra

No ban on gun ownership. Just a ban on gun crime.

Nice Job MH, that is why I am a fan.

 

[Tampavolz]

MHF is right. We should show all our athletes how to safely handle a gun. And have each of them get a permit so when they get pulled over with pot they wont get into big trouble. Makes perfect sense.......or how about we go ahead and get all our athletes a permit to smoke weed legally. That will really show everyone.....

Well they SHOOT like they have glaucoma, so why not get them the prescription? :cool2: :geek: :drool: :vava: