Knoxville Parks Carry Decision Tuesday?

[Oh Shoot]

I'm outta town, couldn't watch council meeting on CTV. On dialup, all I can do to surf at all..

I'm guessing City Council just left the old city parks ordinance in place (which most folks didn't even know about till all this cranked up), but don't know for sure?

What's the story?

- OS

[TnEngineer]

Well Ohshoot, I hate to tell ya but, the panty wetters got their way and the ban remains.

City ban on guns in parks stands Knoxville News Sentinel

Both claim that they received threatening emails from some dangerous right wingers so, somehow, that helped to justify it.

Chalk up another win for the criminals.

[Glenn]

Yes, but it is only a $50 fine. Possible $50 fine vs. possible loss of life doesn't seem too hard of a decision.

Glenn

[Guest kerstuff]

I've made it a point not to patronize any businesses in the cities that are banning guns in parks. I'd like to know why TGO, TGA & NRA can't work together on something like billboards posted in those cities. Of course it would have to be in the larger ones due to economies of scale & such. I know it takes money and we could have a fund raiser of sorts. Billboards could say something like "Knoxville gun owners now shop in Lenoir City(city of choice)Their tax dollars are at work". Just something to think about.

[Oh Shoot]

Yes, but it is only a $50 fine. Possible $50 fine vs. possible loss of life doesn't seem too hard of a decision.

Glenn

Yeah, and it's a civil fine, not criminal conviction.

On the third hand, most all parks are not posted with the ordinance...heck, I never even knew about it till the state statute was passed and Knoxville brought it up.

I think I'll just conceal as always, and be prepared to plead "Huh? State law says I can carry. You have a local ordinance?"

- OS

[Mike.357]

This is for the best. Seriously, if they had repealed the existing law they would surely have opted out of the new state law.

[Oh Shoot]

This is for the best. Seriously, if they had repealed the existing law they would surely have opted out of the new state law.

Yep, agree. max 50 dollar civil fine against max $2500 and/or 11 months 29 days in slammer class A criminal misdemeanor.

Trying to look on the bright side, it's the most benign anti-carry law in TN.

Cheaper than speeding.

- OS

[Guest SUNTZU]

What are these "guns" you speak of?

[Guest mosinon]

It's only fifty bucks? That's not a fine, that is a randomly enforced, day only park carrying fee.

[Tim Nunan]

I'm guessing Haslam hasn't change his spots.

***************************************

Gubernatorial rivals blast Haslam on gun stance Knoxville News Sentinel

NASHVILLE - Bill Haslam's rivals for Tennessee's Republican gubernatorial nomination are finding ammunition in the Knoxville mayor's position on guns.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga, both vocal supporters of gun rights, are targeting Haslam's support for a Knoxville City Council vote earlier this week that keeps in place a ban on handguns in city parks, playgrounds and sports fields.

"Once again Mayor Haslam comes down on the wrong side of our Second Amendment rights guaranteed in the Constitution," Wamp said in a statement.

The state Legislature this year passed a law that allows handgun carry permit holders to bring their weapons into city and county parks. But the law gives local governments the power to opt out.

About 70 cities and counties have decided against allowing people with permits to go armed in local parks.

Haslam supported the ban at the council meeting because it could be worse for gun owners if "we monkey with the situation we have right now," because changing the ordinance might lead to criminal penalties for violators. Knoxville is the only large city in Tennessee without criminal penalties for bringing guns into parks, he said.

Campaign consultant Tom Ingram said he expects Haslam's opponents to "try to obscure that and some other things that are as clear as the nose on your face." But Ingram said voters should see through any attacks on Haslam over gun rights.

"People who pay attention and understand that he is a staunch advocate for the Second Amendment - and ignore people who mislead and distort - will be fine with his position," Ingram said.

Haslam has been publicly refining his position on guns as he makes his statewide race.

Earlier this year, he withdrew from the Mayors Against Illegal Guns group for what he called a departure from its original mission of fighting gun crimes in urban areas.

"As soon as that came to light he resigned, as did many other mayors," Ingram said.

Ramsey spokesman Brad Todd said gun rights are a "big issue" for Republican primary voters.

"It's a long campaign," Todd said. "I'm sure a lot of people will have questions for him around the state. He's going to have a lot of explaining to do."

Ramsey was an original sponsor of Tennessee's handgun carry law, and Todd said his consistent stance on guns is what will appeal to voters.

"He doesn't try to tell one audience on thing and tell another audience another," Todd said. "He supports Second Amendment rights, period."

Wamp has made gun rights a staple of his campaign speeches, including a statement that if President Barack Obama were to issue an order to confiscate guns, "We will meet him at the state line."

"Limiting the rights of citizens who have gone through the training and permitting process required to legally carry a gun in order to protect themselves and their families - while letting the criminals run free - makes little sense to me," Wamp said.

Haslam's campaign raised $3.8 million in the first half of the year, compared with Ramsey's $1.3 million and Wamp's $1.2 million.

A fourth Republican candidate, Memphis prosecutor Bill Gibbons, raised about $412,000. Gibbons has expressed reservations about another new Tennessee law that allows permit holders to carry their guns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.