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GoogleBefore House Bill 716 and Senate Bill 976 were passed, carrying weapons in municipally owned parks, playgrounds, centers and other buildings was a Class A misdemeanor. Since the law passed, it is permissible to carry guns in those places, but the law had an "opt-out" provision, allowing local governments to implement their own restrictions on handguns for those parks and playgrounds.
The resolution presented at the Wartrace meeting would have prohibited handguns in "public municipal parks, natural areas, historic parks, nature trials, campgrounds forests, greenways, waterways or other similar public places."
It would have -- but it didn't. The resolution died for the lack of a motion.
"I make a motion," said Alderman Ed Simpson, who organized the rally against the proposal. "I move we don't do it."
"You don't have to do that," said Mayor Don Gallagher. "If nobody makes a motion, it dies on the floor."
Wartrace resident Phillip Smith said he was happy with the outcome.
"This was a silent victory," he said. "Not only for our personal safety, but our Constitutional rights. I think our point was made just by our numbers."
The board then went on to debate the presence of speed bumps for several minutes, with Alderman Scott Claxton requesting the removal of some on Simms Street.
"They're too high," he said.
Gallagher suggested that before any speed bumps are added or removed, a survey should be taken of the people who live on that street so that the wishes of the majority are recognized.
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Finally, It's about time people show some common sense when it comes to carry permit holders.
i spoke with scott claxton just this afternoon, he isnt against spped bumps, just felt the ones on lower end of sims ave where there arent much traffic was not really needed, but said maybe if they can be lowered some and cars not drag against them would be fine. so anyone thinking he is wanting to remove all of them is wrong.
I have the right to watch dirty movies. Should I do it at the playground? I have the right to drink beer. Should I do it at the playground. My wife has the right to wear a bikini. Should she do it at the playground? I have the right to carry an axe around. Should I do it at the playground? I have the right to ride my go-kart. Should I do it at the playground? This is really foolish. I recognize that the 2nd Amendment gives the right to bear arms. I own several guns myself and love to shoot. But why isn't it obvious that a playground is a bad place for guns. Nice, good people make mistakes with guns all the time. I don't want that mistake to be around my kids. Please don't delete this comment.
There's been a LOT more Kids abducted and murdered and women raped in public parks than were ever shot in public parks! Go figure..
I guess that's one more park I won't be visiting.
There's no reason for anyone to be going armed where kids play unless they are park security.
If you are so paranoid that you can't spend a day in the park without a gun, then you need to stay home!
Funny...People have always carried in that park. Did they think a law was going to allow more guns in?
Criminals don't follow the law anyway, so why keep law abiding permit holders from protecting themselves? Putting a "Gun Fee Zone" sign up is like saying "Hey, come on down to the park to commit your crimes. Nobody's going to have a gun there." I don't think pistols are going to be passed out at the park like ice cream from an ice cream truck. It takes quite a bit of effort to obtain and Tennessee handgun carry permit. You must learn gun safety (first and foremost) before being allowed to carry. As I understand, there has not been one murder committed in Tennessee by a valid permit holder. Seeing the recent horrible, near fatal attack of one of our residents reminds us that we are not exempt from crime. Who is to say that the same folks who did that wouldn't be waiting down by the creek for me and my children to come walking around the track? Instead of being a sitting duck I'll be a pistol packing mama.
That is ok stardust . . . I pass by that park everyday and walk it many days of the week and will continue to do so. If someone wanted to shoot me, it would be just as easy for them to shoot me while driving by on the road without ever entering the park because you can carry a gun in the car legally. What differences does it make if it's legal in the park also?
People who get upset over this really just lack any intelligence over the issue. LOL!
Maybe I should rephrase then. If you are so paranoid that you have to go armed, then you need to stay home.
There is no reason for anyone to be armed in a park such as the one at Wartrace.
I am all for having a gun at home and we have several, but I don't have any desire to carry them in my vehicle or on my person when I am in town.
It seems like there was a big rucus about guns at school. What's the difference? What happened to all the people who fussed so much about that?
One more thought. If it was illegal to go armed in parks before, then wouldn't anyone who went armed anyway be the criminal?
What would differentiate you from those who carry without a permit?
Is there any place where guns should be banned? If I have a carry permit, should I be allowed to carry my gun into a kindergarden? Should a kindergarden teacher with a carry permit be allowed to carry a gun to class?
As I understand, there has not been one murder committed in Tennessee by a valid permit holder.
-- Posted by moxiemom on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 7:20 AM
I'm sure that the law enforcement community would inform the public if something like that happened.NOT! Those of you that recall the Bobo incident at Liberty School will also recall that the local law enforcement would not say if Ms. Bobo had a handgun permit or not. Information such as that and if someone with a handgun permit has committed a murder is only given on a need to know basis and apparently the public doesn't need to know.
bunchabull- that information came from the mouth of a state legislator who had no opinion to offer on this issue. I try to find the facts before gathering my opinions.
I pray to God none of you folks are ever a victim of violent crime in any way. I can assure that you will feel differently about having the right to defend yourself.
If there was a crime done with a gun in that park, then maybe they should have a armed security guard in the park, If not, why fix something that is not broken or in this case happened? The parks that do allow guns in the park should be required to have big signs posted upon entry of the park saying "Parents BEWARE GUNS ALLOWED in this Park"
As a matter of fact they should put up a big sign upon entry of the park that saids "No kids allowed ADULT PARK ONLY" since the adults want to take away any and every place the children could go to enjoy them selves and play. I would hate for someone to pull out a gun and start shooting where other people, especially little kids are playing, carry permits or not. And quite honest if it is a person with a carry permit, and someone gets hurt, I think the city should be held liable (LAW SUIT) for allowing people who have the permits to carry the weapons upon park property!
bunchabull- that information came from the mouth of a state legislator who had no opinion to offer on this issue. I try to find the facts before gathering my opinions.
-- Posted by moxiemom on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 5:53 PM
Oh, well then by all means if a state legislator said it, then I'm going to believe it! Don't think so. First of all our legislators never lie and they are always so informed with what is going on out here in the REAL world. Get real! All those creeps care about is improving their pension, health care and any other perks they can obtain for themselves or their cronies. After they have spent some time taking care of that business, then they have to get busy, so they can get themselves re-elected for more "public service".
(END)
I pray to God none of you folks are ever a victim of violent crime in any way. I can assure that you will feel differently about having the right to defend yourself.
-- Posted by moxiemom on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 5:53 PM
Actually I have been a victim of violent crime. I'm also a former investigator for a metropolitan DA office. I do have a carry permit, but I don't carry it into parks, where children might be playing. Those of you in favor of this should know that everytime a gun is drawn and fired, that it does not mean the bullet is going to hit it's intended target. Personally I don't feel that the average John Q. Citizen gets checked into or receives enough training to be carrying guns into places that are crowded with people and in a moment of fear pulls gun and begins firing rounds without first evaluating the possibility of hitting an innocent person nearby.
If the park has so much crime, then why don't we read about it?
Well Bunchabull, the info came from a family friend whom I trust more than anyone in an anonymous forum on the T-G website. However, I'm quite sure your assumptions are far more accurate than any facts one could find on this topic.
Just because you don't hear about crime in the parks doesn't mean it will not happen. Especially given recent events in the area. Some of us want to be prepared rather than having a "it won't happen to me" stance.
Lastly, the the meeting has already been had, and a decision has already been made. Any opposition at this point is quite moot.
Lastly, the the meeting has already been had, and a decision has already been made. Any opposition at this point is quite moot.
-- Posted by moxiemom on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 7:29 AM
Hate to inform a mom who has such high falutin family friends such as a state legislator, but laws are made and changed everyday. Good laws and bad laws. So, just because the meeting has been held, the decision made and moms with moxie like the law, it is far from a moot point,as those with differing opinions, may also have family friends as legislators to complain to about such a law. Have a nice day at the park. Hope no one accidently or intentionally shoots you.
Bunchabull . . . people are allowed to carry guns in their vehicles and into stores and on the street so wouldn't you be afraid they could "accidently" shoot you there too? It seems that you are suggesting you can be accidently shot only at a park? You see how your reasoning fails a bit? How many times have you heard of a person who has a carry permit "accidently" shoot someone and especially in Shelbyville? Do you think those same people will all of a sudden go gun crazy once they hit the gates of the park.
Please people, think a little about this. Many of these arguments are based out of irrational fear and plan ignorance of the facts!
Sorry . . . plan = plain
No Jaxspike I do not worry about getting accidently shot at the park, out on the street or anywhere for that matter. I do worry about lots of innocent bystanders, especially young children, which tend to be brought to the park, getting accidently hit by gunfire.
I do caary my weapon in my car, when I am traveling, but do not carry it if I am just tooling around town.
Everyone has there opinion, but I just believe that a park is not a place for numerous people to be packing heat.
As far as your argument about hearing someone with a carry permit accidently shooting someone, well I haven't heard it, but I also haven't heard that crime was running rampant at the park making it a need to carry a gun.