Guns in parks law affects Wartrace, but not Shelbyville or Bell Buckle

A new state law which takes effect today allows handguns to be carried in public parks, unless a municipality prohibits it. Shelbyville and Bell Buckle chose to ban guns in parks, while Wartrace has allowed the new law to take effect.

The only park operated by Bedford County outside city limits is a small river access point, and the county has not considered the gun ban issue at its public meetings. The county would presumably come under the state law allowing guns in parks. The closest thing to a park in Normandy is a small lot with a gazebo.

Public Chapter No. 428 allows carry permit holders to possess a handgun "while within or on a public park, natural area, historic park, natural trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway or other similar place that is owned or operated by the state, a county, a municipality ...." unless the local government decides to prohibit the carrying of a firearm in these places.

Wartrace had been scheduled to consider a ban July 20, and a number of residents showed up to voice their opposition to such a ban. It wasn't necessary; the proposal died for lack of a motion. At one point Alderman Ed Simpson was going to move against the ban, but Mayor Don Gallagher said that was unnecessary; the ban would die on its own if no one moved to enact it.

Bell Buckle voted Aug. 10 to ban guns in parks. Alderman Frank Reagor spoke in favor of guns in parks, saying that voting for a ban would send the wrong message to potential wrongdoers.

"I feel this is directed at the good guys," said Reagor. "I think it will do more PR against the park than it will do good. I'll vote against it."

But Alderman James Anderson said the ban could prevent a tragic accident.

"I'm a huge proponent of gun rights," said Anderson. "I love guns. But I was thinking about different scenarios, I think it's more likely that an accident be caused by a gun -- I think that's much more likely than by a criminal."

On Aug. 13, Shelbyville City Council unanimously voted to prohibit handguns from city parks.

Councilman Thomas Landers was the only member to make a statement. Although he said he has a gun carry permit himself, he said the fact that the park is used for school functions -- at which guns are not allowed -- complicated the issue and made it necessary for the city to enact the gun ban.

"The reason we're having to vote like this is because of the gray areas a lot of you don't know about," Landers said to the citizens attending the meeting. "There are school children at school functions at the park, and you can not legally have a handgun."

The city will now display signs in prominent locations around the parks, which will say that state law prescribes a maximum penalty of 11 months, 29 days and a fine not to exceed $2,500 for carrying a firearm in the parks.

--Original reporting by Brian Mosely and Mary Reeves contributed to this story