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Hamilton County Commission Regular session -- June 17, 2009
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Staff Photo by Allison Kwesell A sign prohibiting firearms is seen at the Tennessee Riverpark. The Hamilton County commission voted to ban firearms in Hamilton County parks on Wednesday.
The Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday became the third local governmental body to ban guns in county and city parks, and several officials from area cities said they're considering doing the same.
"Basically what (the vote) does is puts us back where we were a month ago," county Mayor Claude Ramsey said.
Chattanooga and Red Bank's city councils voted Tuesday night to ban guns in their parks, as well.
Under a new state law that Gov. Bredesen signed Friday, permit holders can bring their guns into state parks. It also opens up local parks to allow guns unless local officials vote to ban them.
Upon signing the bill, Gov. Bredesen encouraged local governments to take action to prohibit guns in their parks.
Commissioner Warren Mackey called the law "horrible legislation" after the commission's 9-0 vote.
"They should have given us that authority to begin with," Dr. Mackey said.
Commissioner Greg Beck said Wednesday's vote represented "sound thinking."
"We're living in a time when people can't think right," he said. "Unfortunately, sometimes it's people in leadership and people who make laws."
State Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, who has said he supports an opt-in version of the bill rather than the opt-out version that passed, said he had no problem with local officials opting out.
"That's their prerogative," he said.
State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said he also had no issue with the local government votes. He said he supports the opt-out provision so that local officials could do just that if they saw fit.
East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele said officials there have asked the city attorney and city manager to draft a resolution to opt out of the law.
State Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, who voted for the bill, said he has discussed that resolution with East Ridge officials and it gives him "no heartburn at all."
Dayton, Tenn., Mayor Bob Vincent called the guns-in-parks legislation a "bad bill." He said Dayton's City Council would discuss the law at its next meeting July 6.
Bob Privett, vice mayor of Soddy-Daisy, said the Soddy-Daisy City Council has had no discussions about the law. But he said his personal feelings were that criminals would commit fewer crimes if they knew others had guns.
Collegedale Mayor John Turner and Cleveland, Tenn., Mayor Tom Rowland also have said they do not know how their cities will respond to the law.
To everyone living in a bubble, guns will still be in the parks, but they will be carried by gang bangers and criminals who do not abide by the law. The only thing this county measure does is make the sheep feel warm and fuzzy, while not allowing law abiding citizens to protect themselves.
I guess if I am being held at gun point by a criminal somewhere along the riverwalk or my fiance is, heaven forbid, being raped, we will have to cower there (or lie there injured/dead) and wait for Deputy Dan to arrive on his golf cart or bicycle to file a police report and clean up the mess.
I wouldn't be surprised if crime reports from local parks actually increased due to the fact that criminals know their intended victims will be defenseless. I'm glad that Mr. Privett is knowledgeable enough to realize this!
Mr. Privett is the only sane official quoted here.
So much for elected officials swearing to uphold the Constitution. My Second Amendment doesn't say "right to keep and bear arms, except for parks."
I urge all citizens in Mackey's and Beck's districts to vote them out of office at the next opportunity.
I agree with brandon83 100%. The local parks, Riverwalk included, can be perfect places for criminals to ambush unsuspecting citizens. For the state to take away someone's natural right to self-defense in a prime location for an attack is shameful. For the city to make carrying a handgun for self defense a FELONY, even by a person who has fulfilled the safety requirements to obtain a state-issued permit, is asinine! They've just told thugs where it's safe to commit personal assaults. I support the police 100%, but in my opinion, you call 911 after you've been assaulted, you call 9MM WHEN you're being assaulted.
I don't need to be told when, where and how I can defend myself by a city government who can't even control a party and keep someone from being shot at the Theatre Centre of all places! I'm stunned that out of all the politicians asked, Mr. Privett seems to be the only one with enough guts to stand up for what is logical and right. When all these self-important politicians completely rid their jurisdictions of crimes against persons, then they'll have a stronger case for telling the citizens when and where they can't defend themselves.
Now if they'de pass an ordinance to shoot down gang bangers in the park it would actually make sense.
Idiots. They don't know what they've done. Let's vote 'em out of office. Hear that boys? They just made you a safe zone.
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