Park Carry in Cookeville Delayed for "further study"

[VolunteerGuns]

Council delays guns in parks decision

Mary Jo Denton

Herald-Citizen Staff

Friday, Jul 03, 2009

COOKEVILLE -- Will it soon be legal to carry guns in Cane Creek Park and other city parks and recreation areas?

A decision on that question was put off by the Cookeville city council last night so that the five council members can have time for "further study," as Councilman Ricky Shelton put it when he moved to postpone the matter.

"We've received a lot of comment on this, and I think we should defer it for further study and just listen to public comment tonight," Shelton said. The other council members -- Mayor Sam Sallee, Vice Mayor Jean Davis, Ryan Williams, and Alma Anderson -- agreed and settled back to listen to citizens who came to the meeting to express their views.

The issue is whether to continue the city code that forbids carrying weapons in city parks. Under a new law passed by the Tennessee legislature recently, by September, those who have handgun carry permits will be allowed to carry guns into public parks.

But cities are allowed to opt out of the law for their city parks, and some cities have already done so. Cookeville's current city ordinances include the following ban on weapons in parks:

"It shall be unlawful for any person to carry in any manner whatever, with the intent to go armed, any razor, dirk, knife, blackjack, brassknucks, pistol, revolver, air rifle, air gun 'BB' gun, or any other dangerous weapon such as hand-thrown spears, bows and arrows or crossbows, or any other implements designed to discharge missiles in the air or under the water which are capable of destroying animal life."

Citizens on both sides of the issue spoke to the council last night. Some said they fear what might happen if people carry guns into city parks, while others said they would feel safer if guns were allowed there.

One man said, "I think you should continue to prohibit guns in these areas. I think of the Sportsplex on the west side of town, where children participate in sports. I would hate to think of people taking guns there."

Another man, who said he is a "transplanted military retiree," claimed that even though the city already has banned guns in city parks, he sees "concealed weapons there every day." He said being able to carry a gun in public parks might save lives by providing protection against such criminals as kidnappers and rapists during the time it might take police to respond to a call for help.

Dr. Sam Glasgow urged the council to continue the ban on guns in parks. He said he is concerned about children and said there are more firearms deaths in this country than in other countries.

"Law enforcement agencies are primarily opposed to increasing handguns in public places, and we should listen to them," Glasgow said. "As Cookeville Police Chief Bob Terry has said, this is not Dodge City."

Susan Ford told the council, "I would like to see guns continue to be prohibited."

Don Burton said, "A lot of time, money, and expense was done recently by our representatives in (the legislature) studying guns, and they decided overwhelmingly to allow guns in state parks. And I don't know how we think the city is smarter than they are."

One man said he fears that if guns are allowed in city parks, some people who get angry enough watching kids' baseball games to "punch the umpire in the face" might "just be irrational enough to pull out a gun and shoot the umpire."

John Johnson said he seriously doubts that anyone who would punch an umpire could "get through the background checks" required for a handgun carry permit. He said he believes crime decreases when criminals know that potential victims have guns.

Max Atnip said he also believes the fact that "there are people in our community who can carry guns" makes for "a pretty good deterrent" to crime.

"Let state law prevail," Atnip said.

Council members thanked each citizen for their comments, and Councilwoman Alma Anderson said, "We encourage all people who feel strongly on this issue to seek out council members and let their opinions be known."

The council will take up the matter again in August.

Edited July 4, 2009 by adamween

[VolunteerGuns]

Are any other members of TGO from around the Cookeville area? Or am I just the only one who gives a flying ?

I NEVER see anything pertaining to my area listed..

C'mon folks.

HOPEFULLY I WON'T BE THE ONLY ONE VOICING MY OPINION TO THE COUNCIL... I GUARANTEE THE OTHER SIDES MOUTHS WILL BE RUNNING IN OVERDRIVE!

ssallee@cookeville-tn.org

jdavis@cookeville-tn.org

rshelton@cookeville-tn.org

aanderson@cookeville-tn.org

rwilliams@cookeville-tn.org

Edited July 4, 2009 by adamween

[Guest usnsniper]

I emailed all on the list. Hopefully they will listen.

[Rock.45]

I'll e-mail council members , I can't make any of their meetings. Chief Terry needs to focus on his department's misconduct .

[VolunteerGuns]

Appreciate it folks.

Anyone else from the area and EVEN VISIT COOKEVILLE???

C'mon now.

[Guest usnsniper]

Looks like Chief Terry is showing his smarts in the local paper today. Isn't it funny....Politics never require brains.

[Guest clsutton21]

I go to Tech up here, but they don't really care that much about what the students want unless they play sports or are part of a national fraternity or sorority.

[VolunteerGuns]

A voice is a voice. No matter who you are. Let them know that you use the parks, and that you feel you should be able to exercise your right to carry, your right to defend yourself. Criminals SHOULDN'T be the only ones able to be armed in our parks, and on our trails!!!