Getting a statewide bill passed that allows citizens to carry firearms into parks became one of the most drawn out and messiest battles of the 2009 Tennessee General Assembly.
Gov. Phil Bredesen ultimately vetoed the bill, the legislature swiftly overrode it and the law will take effect Sept. 1.
But Tennessee lawmakers left an opening for localities to decide for themselves, which begs the question: Why did they spend all those weeks fighting and wrangling?
On Tuesday, the Bristol Tennessee City Council took advantage of that loophole. On a 3-2 vote, council members said bring the picnic basket when you enter a city-owned park, but leave the gun at home.
Johnson City officials approved a similar handgun ban last week. Other cities, including Memphis, Chattanooga and Nashville, are considering their own measures.
Bristol Tenn.’s decision was supported by City Manager Jeff Broughton and Police Chief Blaine Wade.
Council members David Shumaker, Margaret Feierabend and Mayor Fred Testa voted to ban firearms in city parks. Joel Staton and James Messimer opposed the measure.
Shumaker said he was uncomfortable with people bringing guns into public parks because they are “a weapon designed for a human being to kill another human being.”
Staton called Shumaker’s view “ridiculous” and said the resolution unfairly targets legal handgun owners who are properly trained and would carry them openly.
We support the City Council’s decision on a variety of levels, including safety and local autonomy. The Tennessee legislature left the final decision to the localities. The City Council’s vote considered the recommendations of the city manager and the police chief, both of whom oppose people carrying firearms into city parks.
Some supporters have argued that the ban is an infringement on Second Amendment rights. Perhaps they will challenge the law.
But they should begin in Nashville, where state lawmakers agreed to create this loophole for localities. And Bristol, Tenn., is among several so far that have decided to ban firearms in city parks.
Opponents also should consider the parallels with other places – like public schools – where firearm prohibitions already exist with public support.
Public parks, like public schools, are designed for children and families – and that justifies a different set of rules regarding firearms.
We believe the Bristol Tennessee City Council acted in the interest of safety for the majority of its residents when it voted to ban firearms from city parks. Shumaker, who noted that he owns firearms, said he sees no reason for residents to carry handguns in heavily populated areas such as parks.
We believe the presence of guns in such places could lead to escalated harm if people carrying the weapons overreact to confrontations. It’s one thing if an argument leads to a fist fight, but what if both people are carrying firearms?
We do not want to see arguments escalate into fatal violence because firearms are permitted in public parks. We realize, as supporters of the measure argued, that criminals will bring guns wherever they choose. But if citizens believe they need greater protection in public parks, they should demand increased patrols from the city police.
Because Chief Wade supports the ban and visitors to city parks see regular police patrols, we’re certain he will provide all the protection necessary.
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