Carry in Bartlett Parks

[Guest jg45]

This was in the Communist Appeal on May 28th. Please note the bold portion and contact the Bartlett Alderman if you wish to be able to protect yourself and your family at any Bartlett park. Bartlett Mayor and Alderman contact page: Bartlett, TN - Official Website

Tennessee gun bill could face both barrels at local level

City, suburban officials look at bans in parks

By Ryan Poe (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal

Originally published 12:00 a.m., May 28, 2009

Updated 12:49 p.m., May 28, 2009

A day after state lawmakers passed a bill to allow those with handgun permits to bring their guns into parks, some local leaders were discussing a ban in their jurisdictions.

The bill, scheduled to take effect Sept. 1, gives local governments the option of forbidding guns in their parks. Gov. Phil Bredesen could still veto the bill, but lawmakers could override that veto with a majority vote.

In Memphis, some City Council members are ready to give the bill both barrels.

"You shouldn't be worried that if you step on someone's toes that they'll pull out a gun and blow you away," said Memphis City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove. "Everyone has a right to bear arms, but come on... How far is too far?"

In Shelby County, Commissioner Wyatt Bunker said he thinks those with permits should be able to take their guns into the park with them. The greater risk, he said, is leaving guns behind in vehicles where they might be stolen.

"What's more dangerous?" he asked. "A law-abiding citizen who has taken classes and received a permit going into a park with a gun, or leaving it in the car?"

Officials in several suburban cities indicated Wednesday that they will take action to ban guns in their parks.

The Memphis City Council is scheduled to hear a binding resolution sponsored by Councilman Harold Collins on Tuesday to ban guns in city parks, said Fullilove, who is co-sponsoring the measure.

Fullilove said parks should be safe havens.

"We have enough people out there whose behavior with guns is irresponsible without allowing handgun permit holders to carry in parks," she said.

Councilman Shea Flinn supports the idea of banning guns from parks.

"If the problem is so imminent you need to take a gun to a park, you probably don't need to take your kids there," he said. "If you need a gun, you don't need to be there."

The chance of having to defend yourself in a park is "remote," said City Councilman Bill Boyd, who supports a ban.

"Having grown up in parks and having taken my children, I've always felt free and safe," Boyd said.

According to local Web sites, Memphis has 166 city parks, Germantown has 24, Bartlett has 25 and Millington has 10. There are 14 parks in Collierville, two in Arlington and six in Lakeland. Shelby County has jurisdiction over Shelby Farms, the sprawling park in East Memphis.

On the same day the guns-in-parks bill passed the legislature, Shelby County Commission Chairwoman Deidre Malone completed the training to receive a handgun carry permit. Nonetheless, she opposes guns in parks.

"Around kids, I don't think that's appropriate," she said. "I'm hoping we can deal with that issue."

Commissioner Joyce Avery and commissioners Bunker, Mike Carpenter and Sidney Chism said they would vote to allow guns in parks, while Malone and Commissioner Steve Mulroy said they would vote to ban guns from parks. The remaining seven commissioners were unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Chism said if someone passes the state requirements to have a weapon, "he is responsible enough to carry one."

"If it gets crazy, we could change the law," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see."

Bartlett officials had already started considering a ban in that suburb's parks before the bill was passed. Alderman Emily Elliott said she has asked Mayor Keith McDonald to draft an ordinance to address the issue.

"I've not had one citizen tell me they are excited with the fact that the state legislature has considered allowing guns in parks," Elliott said.

She also said there are times when parents "get fired up" at youth sporting events to the point that the police are called. "It just concerns me that somebody, in a fit of anger, might pull their guns," she said.

McDonald, too, said he doesn't like the idea of guns in parks.

In Germantown, Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy said her administration opposes the bill; the city's Parks and Recreation Commission is against it, and a majority of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen agrees with the commission's position.

The presence of guns where there are children is a key issue, she said. "That's just not a mix we think should be happening in public spaces."

In Collierville, Mayor Stan Joyner said he can't speak for the rest of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, but he's against allowing guns in parks, although he owns guns and enjoys hunting.

[eapking]

Guarantee G-town will ban them.