Speakers at meeting back guns in parks

Shelbyville's city council will vote next week whether or not to "opt out" of Tennessee's new law that allows guns in city parks after hearing from concerned local residents.

And while most of those who spoke about the issue of guns wanted to be able to carry a firearm to protect themselves, the majority of those speaking live outside of Shelbyville.

Seven of the nine people who voiced their opinion wanted to have the right to possess a weapon while in the park with only two opposing.

Phillip Smith of Wartrace said his parents live in Shelbyville and that his family uses city parks and "the only responsible thing to do is to uphold state law" by allowing those with handgun permits to be allowed to carry them.

He said that Wartrace recently upheld the rights of citizens by not banning firearms in parks. A proposal to opt out of the measure died in that town last week when no one voted on the issue.

Smith pointed out that the law only applies to one group -- law-abiding citizens with a legal carry permit.

"If you are a criminal who intends to bring a firearm into the park, a resolution will have absolutely no effect on them," Smith said. He detailed the background checks and training that permit holders must go through to legally carry a weapon.

If passed, the law-abiding citizen would follow the no guns in parks rule, but not criminals, Smith said. He said the greatest deterrent to crooks is the fear that their victim may be armed.

Sam Catallo lives in Tullahoma, but works in Wartrace, with many family members living there, and his family also uses the parks. He said that only people impacted by the proposed measure are those who spent the money and went through the training to abide by the law.

"Why disarm the only people that you trust," he said. He said if firearms they are banned, the only people who will have guns are the ones that are not allowed to carry them.

Another Tullahoma resident, Steve Bowles, used the example of a park rapist caught in Nashville to make his point, saying if that person he encountered someone with a firearm, other incidents may not have occurred. While Bowles said he lived out of town, he also stated that he spent a lot of time in Shelbyville and Bedford County.

Several other Wartrace residents echoed the opinions of others who spoke in favor of allowing guns in the parks

However, Bobby Sanders of Shelbyville spoke against allowing the firearms, saying that he believed more guns meant more shooting. Another Shelbyville resident, Harold Rose, also was against the idea, saying that he can't recall anyone getting shot in the park.

"Who is in danger?" he asked. "What are police officers for?"

One of the Wartrace residents brought up the recent assault of Johnny Smith as proof that citizens should have the right to protect themselves.

The newly passed Public Chapter No. 428 authorizes citizens in Tennessee with handgun carry permits to be able to lawfully possess a firearm in federal, state or local parks.

However, many cities have chosen the option of excluding their parks by passing a resolution drawn up by the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service, and have already done so.

So far, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Brentwood and Chattanooga as well as Williamson and Shelby counties have voted to exempt their parks. Tullahoma is also considering voting to be excluded from the measure and Winchester as well as Manchester has already banned guns in its parks.

The new law goes into effect Sept. 1, and if Shelbyville chooses to enact the resolution, it would have to be done before that date. The council will vote on the measure when they meet on Aug. 13.