BUSTED -- AND IT MIGHT ACTUALLY STICK

The state of Tennessee is taking James Yeager's threat talk seriously:

James Yeager, the CEO who recently threatened to "start killing people" if President Barack Obama pursued an expansion on gun control, has had his gun permit suspended.

My first thought was that this was a slap on the wrist, and that Yeager would get all his gun rights back in a couple of weeks after the story died down, especially after I read this:

According to officials Yeager can seek a review of the department's decision in the general sessions court.

But Tennessee is not as cavalier about these things as I, a smug Northeasterner, assumed. Many states, for instance, are very quick to restore gun rights to convicted felons, but Tennessee is not one of them (to the consternation of many gun-rights advocates).

And even when no felony is involved, being an idiot with a gun in Tennessee can have real consequences. Consider the case of Leonard Embody. In 2009 and 2010, Embody walked through one park brandishing an AK-47 and walked down a street openly carrying a loaded pistol. In the park incident, he alarmed other park-goers, as well as the cops:

In camouflage gear one Sunday afternoon, Leonard Embody went into a state park near Nashville carrying a Draco AK-47 pistol fully loaded with 30 rounds to test his constitutional rights. Frightened visitors reported that a man was in the park with an "assault rifle." A park ranger, thinking the weapon might be ready to fire, sensibly ordered Mr. Embody to the ground, removed his gun, patted him down for other weapons and detained him.

He became known as the "Radnor Lake Rambo" -- and he had his carry permit revoked by the state.

And you know what? He eventually dropped his appeal of the permit suspension. He's pursued other avenues of legal redress, but his efforts keep getting rebuffed by the courts. He's busted.

The same thing may happen to Yeager -- oh, and:

Officials with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security were explicit in stating that the Yeager was not a Department of Safety and Homeland Security certified instructor, nor is his school department certified.

It won't surprise me, though, if he moves to a more gun-friendly state and just sets up shop there. And I bet certain members of the right-wing media would love to make him a martyr -- if Fox thinks he's too hot to handle, I bet Alex Jones would love to be his champion.

Or maybe he'll just get his own radio show. He's obviously a self-promoter first and foremost -- that would probably be his smartest move. He'd probably be a big hit.

****

UPDATE: However, ABL is obviously right about this:

If James Yeager had been Jalal al Yeager or Tyrone Yeager, who wants to wager that the response to his roid tantrum this week would have been vastly different?

Anyone?

Being white must be nice.

Also, too:

black people kill, it's normal/expected. white people kill, we seek out gun policy reform and look into mental health care.

— jasmine♛ (@BlkGirlWithaPen) January 10, 2013