State Representative Clark Boyd Introduces Legislation Protecting Law Abiding Citizens with Handgun Carry Permits

March 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Legislation sponsored by State Representative Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon) that streamlines current law and protects the rights of our concealed carry permit holders is moving through the committee process in the Tennessee General Assembly.

This week, members of the House Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee voted to advance House Bill 545, which protects the rights of Tennessee’s law abiding citizens who are handgun carry permit holders. The bill seeks to give protection for concealed handgun carry permit holders who unknowingly enter a private facility or business with posted firearm policies so long as that person was unaware that the property was posted and leaves immediately upon being made aware.

Under current law it is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine to possess a firearm on a property that is properly posted. The overall goal of House Bill 545 is to ensure that law abiding citizens are not unreasonably punished if that person unknowingly enters a posted business and is willing to leave immediately upon being made aware .

“This measure protects our concealed carry permit holders in situations where an honest mistake was made,” said Representative Boyd. “In the event that a law abiding permit holder unknowingly enters a business or property that is posted and discovers this after the fact, it only makes sense that the person be allowed to leave the premises rather than being issued a citation.”

Clark Boyd serves as Chairman of the House Consumer and Human Resources Committee, and as a member of the Calendar and Rules, Commerce, and Select Committees on Rules. Boyd is also a member of the House Employee Affairs and House Utilities Subcommittees. He lives in Lebanon and represents Tennessee House District 46, which includes Cannon, and parts of Wilson and Dekalb Counties. He can be reached by email at: Rep.Clark.Boyd@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615)-741-7086.

March 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A year after he was tragically killed in a crash at Dowelltown while on his way home from work, Lebanon Police Officer Joseph Bowen of DeKalb County has been honored by the Tennessee General Assembly.

A resolution, sponsored by State Senator Mark Pody and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd, was adopted by both the Senate and House last month and signed by the Governor.
The resolution is as follows:

“WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Joseph Bowen; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen was a brave and dedicated law enforcement officer who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities; and

WHEREAS, the son of Dwayne and Lisa Bowen, Officer Joseph Bowen was a 2008 graduate of DeKalb County High School; that same year, he began his law enforcement career with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer and was later promoted to a deputy position; and

WHEREAS, a respected veteran with ten years of service, Officer Bowen completed Basic Police School at Walters State Training Academy in 2010; in January 2013, he joined the Lebanon Police Department, and during his tenure, he served on the Meth Lab Response Team; and

WHEREAS, a third-generation member of the Lebanon Police Department, Officer Joseph Bowen proudly followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Frank Bowen, who served until his retirement, and his father, who has served as a police officer for eighteen years; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen performed his appointed duties in an admirable manner that distinguished him as a credit to both his community and his profession; Lebanon and DeKalb County were undoubtedly made better and safer places as a result of his service; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen was an active and devout member of Old Fashioned Freewill Baptist Church in Smithville, which he served faithfully for many years; and
WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen enjoyed the loving companionship of his wife, Kim Bowen, and he was the proud father of Katy Jo Bowen and Wesley Brock Bowen; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen is lovingly remembered by his parents; his brother, Jacob Bowen; his uncle, Mike Bowen; his parents-in-law, Steven and Kathy Deffendoll; his nephews and niece, Knox Bowen, Lacey McMillen, and Cole McMillen; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kayla Bowen, Brandon Deffendoll, Chris McMillen, and Kristina McMillen; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Helen Bowen and Lemuel and Betty Bogle; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity, probity, and valor in his public life as a law enforcement officer, compassion and loyalty in private life, and dedication in all his chosen endeavors; and

WHEREAS, this General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of this exceptional police officer and human being; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that on behalf of a grateful public, we honor the memory and celebrate the life of Officer Joseph Bowen of the Lebanon Police Department.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family of Officer Bowen.

March 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

After being where he wasn’t wanted, a Liberty man is in even more trouble after lying to a deputy and running from the law.

24 year old Andrew Thomas Ellis of Liberty is charged with evading arrest and criminal impersonation. His bond is $5,000 and he will make a court appearance March 14.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 17, 2018 a deputy was dispatched to Hogfoot Road due to an unwanted guest complaint. Upon arrival he spoke with Ellis who was on a motorcycle. Ellis identified himself as Joshua Scott. After the officer asked Ellis to get off the motorcycle Ellis sped away on the bike. The officer learned of Ellis’ true identify after a further investigation. Ellis has had a previous arrest for evading arrest.

30 year old Bryan Allen Cunningham of Magness Road, Smithville is charged with violation of the sex offender law. His bond is $5,000 and he will make a court appearance March 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 26 Cunningham was found to be living at a residence on Sparta Highway with a woman and her small child since mid-January. But this is not the address he has posted on the Tennessee Sex Offender registry.

31 year old Ronald Eugene Welden, Jr. of McMinnville and 18 year old Kimberly Leigh Anaya are charged with public intoxication. They are each under a $1,500 bond and they will make a court appearance on March 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 27 a deputy spotted Welden and Anaya near Antioch Road. Both seemed to be disoriented with glassy eyes and were unsteady on their feet. They appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  Both were placed in custody for their safety and that of the public.

Jason Lamonte Hemphill of Arkansas is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $75,000 and he will make a court appearance on March 14.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 2 a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Cookeville Highway and spoke with the driver, Hemphill. A computer check through NCIC (National Crime Information Center) revealed that Hemphill is wanted in Hamilton County, Indiana for a felony 6^th degree offense for possession of methamphetamine. Indiana authorities plan to seek extradition of Hemphill.

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