click23

I have read over HB 508 several times, and just want to see if everyone else has the same interpretation as I do. An area of concern with me is Chilhowee Park in Knoxville, which is owned by the city, as the park is home to Zoo Knoxville where we take my daughter every few months. The Tennessee Valley Fair is held there annually, and a few years back some people tried to get in under the law that allows HCP holder entry into parks with handguns and were turned away. The city says that Chilhowee Park is not a park but is a "public assembly facility". There was a law suit but it was settled with the city saying they can still ban carrying by HCP holders, more info at http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2017/01/27/city-strikes-deal-chilhowee-park-gun-ban/97148064/ Once HB 508 becomes law in less than a month, the way I interpret the law is that as long as there is not a metal detector at the gate HCP holders would be free to carry in Chilhowee Park, whether at the Zoo or the fair as the law applied to all (with several exemptions but none that I see Chilhowee Park would fall under) "property owned or administered" by an "entity of local government or a permittee" The text of the bill can be found at http://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/110/pub/pc0467.pdf As a side note on the law, if I read it correctly only a metal detector and a LE or security trained to use it have to be present, and that bags and such are inspected, it does not say that they actually have to use the metal detector.

That's what the law says, but the Knoxville Zoo is a private entity(I know that does not matter per the law) actually sits in Chilhowee Park. The city of Knoxville's position is that Chilhowee Park is not a park, but rather a "public assembly, entertainment and education venue", and assert that they can prohibit firearms. There is a lawsuit going on right now. See: http://wate.com/2015/09/11/no-guns-at-chillhowee-park-despite-guns-in-parks-law/ http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local/loudon-resident-backed-by-nrasues-knoxville-over-chilhowee-park-gun-ban-ep-1309348238-353421031.html https://www.scribd.com/doc/310693710/Knoxville-Parks-Updated-Complaint-4-20-16

Has anyone heard any update out from the Chilhowee Park gun ban lawsuit out of Knoxville?

Admins please delete, put in wrong section.

Has anyone heard any update out from the Chilhowee Park gun ban lawsuit out of Knoxville?

I was back there at the on the 25th of last month and saw this sign on the new fence where the old handicap parking lot was, this is a good 100 feet from the main entrance. No sign at the main entrance other than the note at the bottom of the zoo rules sign. I guess they welcome open carry then!!!

I was back there this weekend and still no gun buster, but there is now a large sign that is next to ticket booth, it might have been there before but since we are members we do not go through the ticket line and I just happened to see it.  It was a list of zoo rules, and at the bottom it stated something to the effect of "firearms are prohibited".

I was there this past Saturday, and as the OP stated the sign is no longer there.  I suspect this is to do with the lawsuit involving Chilhowee Park and the issued opinion of the state Attorney General with regard to the "parks" law.