Knox Co. Guns in Parks!

[Garufa]

Knox County Commission votes to allow guns in parks Knoxville News Sentinel

KNOXVILLE - Knox County Commission today voted 13-5 in favor of allowing handgun permit holders to carry their weapons in county parks.

Voting to allow guns in parks were Commissioners Tony Norman, Ivan Harmon, Mike Hammond, Craig Leuthold, Richard Briggs, Brad Anders, Greg "Lumpy" Lambert, R. Larry Smith, Michele Carringer, Bud Armstrong, Dave Wright, Mike Brown and Paul Pinkston.

Voting for the ban were Commissioners Sam McKenzie, Thomas "Tank" Strickland, Mark Harmon, Amy Broyles and Finbarr Saunders.

Those arguing in favor of handguns in parks said it should be allowed under the Second Amendment and that there have been few instances of problems with violence in Knox County Parks.

Briggs pointed out that there has been no instances of emotional people using baseball bats in confrontations at county parks so he didn't expect parents to resort to using guns as a lethal weapon.

Those opposed to allowing guns in parks expressed concern because some parents get emotional during sporting events in county parks.

Broyles, who proposed banning guns in parks, said she does not have a handgun permit, but that she was a sharpshooter in high school.

"I've been assaulted," Broyles said. "I've been raped. I'm very concerned that there's evil in the world. I'm concerned about children in these recreational leagues."

She also noted that the city has a ban on guns in parks and there would be a "patchwork" of greenways - some where guns are allowed and some where they are not.

The Legislature this year approved legislation allowing handgun permit holders to carry their guns in local and state parks. The bill included an "opt out" provision where cities and counties could opt out of the legislation.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

[Magiccarpetrides]

AWESOME...great news!

[Garufa]

DISCLAIMER: This only applies to Knox County parks (and greenways, I assume). Not City of Knoxville parks.

[Guest tarheel78]

This wouldnt have happened without quite a few concerned Knox Co gun owners contacting their Commissioners and making their views known clearly. Rewarding indeed. Thanks to those who practiced democracy here.

[chemprof]

Yes, indeed! I plan on sending a "Thank You" to the Commissioners that I contacted personally.

[Guest SUNTZU]

When will the 1600 page "Where you can carry in Knoxville" book come out? And how the hell did he get the nickname "Tank"? Is it septic "tank"? Drunk "tank"? What?

[Moped]

Great news! Personally, I'm surprised! I didn't think it had a prayer of passing, after the city went the other way.

Just so you all know, the five commissioners that voted for the ban are all "Inner City" commissioners. Strickland and McKenzie represent the 1st District which is Downtown, East Knoxville and Burlington. Broyles and Harmon represent the 2nd District which is basically North Knoxville. And Saunders represents the 4th District which is Sequoyah Hills and the Bearden Area.

[Guest Mudlizard]

DISCLAIMER: This only applies to Knox County parks (and greenways, I assume). Not City of Knoxville parks.

I thought the City of Knox was in the Knox County?? Why's it got to be so hard.

[Garufa]

I thought the City of Knox was in the Knox County?? Why's it got to be so hard.

The City of Knoxville is a government entity within Knox County. They make their own laws, and frankly, could give a about what Knox County does.

That being said, you cannot carry in a Knoxville park, but can a Knox County park. Furthermore, if you are on a county greenway that goes into the city, then you may need to disarm. On top of that, when a park is taken over for some school-related activity it's off-limits. Oh, and don't forget that some "parks" may be on school property.