

Curry Todd's mug shot

Rep. Curry Todd, the champion of Tennessee's guns-in-bars law, was jailed last night and charged with drunken driving and possession of a handgun while under the influence.

Todd, R-Collierville, was stopped in his GMC Envoy at around 11:15 last night near Hillsboro Village. He was going 60 mph in a 40 mph zone and swerving in and out of his lane, police say. He failed a roadside sobriety test and refused to take a breathalyzer. Police say they detected a strong odor of alcohol on the legislator and found a loaded Smith & Wesson 38 Special in a holster in his car.

A police affidavit says Todd was unsteady on his feet, "almost falling down at times," his speech was slurred and he had watery and bloodshot eyes. Todd was "obviously very impaired and not in any condition to be carrying a loaded handgun," police say.

Possession of a weapon while under the influence is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a sentence of up to one year and a $2,500 fine. Todd had a handgun carry permit. That could be suspended for up to three years.

At the website forum of the Tennessee Firearms Association, one of the main groups that lobbied for guns-in-bars, members have been understandably quiet so far today. But someone did post, "THANKS CURRY FOR THE BAD PUBLICITY."

We can only assume Todd, 63, had been drinking in a restaurant or bar. Did he bring his handgun with him? Drinking with your gun—that's something the lawmaker told us repeatedly during the guns-in-bars debate that no responsible handgun owner ever would do. In fact, it's prohibited under the guns-in-bars law. According to Todd, that law was only to let law-abiding (sober) citizens carry their licensed weapons into family restaurants to protect all the patrons against any would-be robbers or other armed assailants.

“Folks were being robbed, assaulted — it was becoming an issue of personal safety,” Todd said at the time, adding that the National Rifle Association had helped his legislative efforts. We're sure everyone felt safer with the bleary eyed Todd there with them last night.

In urging the House to pass his law, Todd said: "I just ask you to vote your conscience to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families."