Metro Councilman pushes for amendment to park gun ban

[TNTitan]

Sam Coleman FTW! I encourage everyone to send him an email and show him your support.

sam.coleman@nashville.gov

Council Member Wants To Amend Guns In Parks Law

Posted: Sep 07, 2009 10:08 PM CDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - One Metro Council member said the ordinance banning guns in Nashville's parks needs to be re-examined. Sam Coleman wants carry permit holders to be allowed to bring a gun in a park.

State lawmakers started the debate when passing the law letting carry permit holders bring a gun into a park.

Local governments were given the option to opt out of that law which is what Metro Council members did.

Sam Coleman hoped to amend that law.

"Some of the parks are very large, and before you know it you could be at a place in a park where there's no one around," said Coleman.

Last month Metro Council passed a law banning carry permit holders from bringing a gun into any Metro park.

"I don't like guns. I don't think that guns are appropriate unless they're in law enforcement's hands," said park visitor Nancy Fann.

"I believe that if you have a permit to carry a weapon you know, I think that's legally sound in my mind," said park visitor Chad Davis.

Coleman supported the ban on guns in parks, but he plans on filing an amendment which would allow carry permit holders to carry a gun in certain parks.

"Particularly in our larger parks, our greenways, and our walking trail where they can be very isolated," said Coleman.

Coleman is asking park officials to identify secluded areas not frequently patrolled by police. Once a list is completed, Coleman will ask the Metro Council to once again look at the issue.

Many park visitors already have an opinion.

"Then you know as far as being certified and having the permit and things like that, then that's part of the rights," said park visitor Amber Davis.

In the debate, many park visitors said they would agree to disagree.

"I would feel even more threatened if I knew there were people who were permitted to carry guns," said park visitor Deborah Corbin.

Council Member Coleman sent a memo to the full Metro Council letting them know his intentions.

He said he's confident council members will consider the amendment. He hopes to introduce the legislation sometime in October.

Since the state law passed, about 70 cities and counties in Tennessee have chosen to ban guns in parks. .... FULL ARTICLE

Edited September 10, 2009 by TNTitan

[Mark A]

Ok, done

Mark

[TNTitan]

cool

[LagerHead]

Done. On another note, after the August meeting about the guns in parks, I spoke for about 10-15 minutes with Coleman. Although we disagreed, he wasn't insulting or condescending so I respect him for that. This just ups my opinion of him a notch. He's not my councilman, so I don't know what else he may have done to tick people off, but there ya go.

[Guest H0TSH0T]

what a joke, little to late, so let me understand this how is it more dangerous to be in a park unarmed, than in a small park unarmed but in a larger park legally armed?

i thought the point for having a permit in the first place is so we could protect ourselves and others as per state law.

i also thought that permit holders would use their discretion and follow the law as to when and where that they felt that they could handle that responsibility.

now we have some ass-clown that may be trying to appease the masses by making some half-hart-ted amendment. (wake up people, the whole point is YOU should be making that decision on what is best to keep you safe not some politician.) and yes its a small step in the right direction but a half a step into this boat is gonna get you wet, its a jump into the boat or stay on the pier kinda thing. it is not an emotional decision, its a matter of right and wrong. you need to ask your self this

is it a right to defend your self?

is it wrong to break the law?

do we hold people accountable for breaking the law?

in a place where you are breaking the law to protect your self, would it be right to hold the the law makers responsible for the safety of your life?

who's responsible for your individual safety?

how will the law makers keep you safe?

do we need to call the police before or after we visit our parks?

[Guest PapaB]

Many park visitors already have an opinion.

It might not hurt to remind him that many no longer visit parks because they can't carry. There are more voices to be heard than just the visitors.

[GLOCKMEISTER]

this is "feel good" legislation that I dont think is legal. Just an FYI.

[netmindr]

"I would feel even more threatened if I knew there were people who were permitted to carry guns," said park visitor Deborah Corbin.

Maybe this is a great opportunity! We should create parks for Liberals that are No-Gun zones and parks for those who don't feel threatened by guns that allow carry. Can't wait to find out which one is safer!

[Guest sugarbear]

Dear council member Coleman, my wife, myself and daughter were on a business trip just coming out onto the main street when my daughter noticed a very large and daunting character pacing us. My daughter raced ahead to get to our parked car but my wife and I kept walking. This scary man walked up beside me and made a fist and slapped his other hand with it. What did he mean by this? This was the first time in my life I wished I had my "licensed to carry" hand gun in my pocket. I am glad he decided to keep walking and that we did not get beat up or killed. Now days law abiding citizens need peace of mind in a world filled with people looking to abuse your rights. Thank you sir, you are the few who stand in the gap. Roger Davis

[LagerHead]

this is "feel good" legislation that I dont think is legal. Just an FYI.

Technically, I don't think the "opt out" was legal. It circumvented the part of the law that says that restrictions are only to be put in place "with a clear view to prevent crime." Not one person on the council, including that blow hard Jerry Maynard.