Knox County Commission votes to allow guns in parks Knoxville News Sentinel
KNOXVILLE - Knox County Commission today voted 13-5 in favor of allowing handgun permit holders to carry their weapons in county parks.
Voting to allow guns in parks were Commissioners Tony Norman, Ivan Harmon, Mike Hammond, Craig Leuthold, Richard Briggs, Brad Anders, Greg "Lumpy" Lambert, R. Larry Smith, Michele Carringer, Bud Armstrong, Dave Wright, Mike Brown and Paul Pinkston.
Voting for the ban were Commissioners Sam McKenzie, Thomas "Tank" Strickland, Mark Harmon, Amy Broyles and Finbarr Saunders.
Those arguing in favor of handguns in parks said it should be allowed under the Second Amendment and that there have been few instances of problems with violence in Knox County Parks.
Briggs pointed out that there has been no instances of emotional people using baseball bats in confrontations at county parks so he didn't expect parents to resort to using guns as a lethal weapon.
Those opposed to allowing guns in parks expressed concern because some parents get emotional during sporting events in county parks.
Broyles, who proposed banning guns in parks, said she does not have a handgun permit, but that she was a sharpshooter in high school.
"I've been assaulted," Broyles said. "I've been raped. I'm very concerned that there's evil in the world. I'm concerned about children in these recreational leagues."
She also noted that the city has a ban on guns in parks and there would be a "patchwork" of greenways - some where guns are allowed and some where they are not.
The Legislature this year approved legislation allowing handgun permit holders to carry their guns in local and state parks. The bill included an "opt out" provision where cities and counties could opt out of the legislation.
More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.