Andy Holt to Cover Gun Cost for some residents

JACKSON, TENN — Just days after announcing he will give away two AR assault rifles for free at a re-election benefit, Andy Holt is not shying away from the spotlight or his effort to arm West Tennessee.

The Dresden Republican announced Thursday that the first five people to call into his office and follow procedures laid out on his Facebook page would get their handgun carry permits paid for, for three years.

Many gun carriers in the area say they support representative Holt’s latest efforts.

“I think as long as the background checks are passed, I think it’s a great idea.” Jackson native, Krystal Blake said. “I have one, I have my gun license. I think it’s a great idea to protect yourselves.”

 In a statement Holt said he wants people to arm themselves and to be protected.

“I want people to arm themselves,” said Holt. “Why am I doing this? It’s very simple. People need to be prepared, and we’ve got a situation where government and those on the left are trying to disarm people in the middle of some of the most dangerous times we’ve faced in decades. It’s literally crazy. Furthermore, I think members of the LGBT community are starting to realize how crazy it is that Democrats want to leave them completely defenseless, no less in the wake of a terror attack that explicitly targeted them. People have a right to defend themselves.”

Not everyone agrees.

It’s just other things that you could be helping people with besides putting more guns out on the street.” Jackson resident Kamieka Clark said. “I don’t think that’s going to help at all, I think it’s just going to hurt.”

Holt is now calling on other legislators to follow his lead and pay for five others to get their permits to help raise awareness.