By Tom Kreager, Daily News Journal

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- If guns are allowed in Murfreesboro's parks, the city can expect to lose the Spring Fling.

That was the response by TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress on Monday when asked about the state high school association's stance on guns being allowed at tournament venues.

"This is a zero-tolerance issue -- period," Childress said. "We don't have a written policy. But if anyone had a gun where our kids are, we wouldn't be there. There is no way possible that we'd allow a gun in one of our events.

"As much as we'd like Murfreesboro to be in consideration for Spring Fling, I just don't see how we could recommend them if guns are allowed in their parks."

Murfreesboro has held the past four Spring Flings, but the contract has expired. The next contract will be awarded in August. Chattanooga, where the collection of spring-sport championships began, would like to get it back.

Childress' comments came four days after the Murfreesboro City Council postponed a vote on upholding a gun ban in public parks to check with members of the high school association.

A state law takes effect Sept. 1 that would allow conceal/carry gun-permit holders to have guns at state and local parks. However, local governments can vote to opt out of the law and ban guns from their parks.

About half the Spring Fling events -- softball, boys' soccer and some tennis matches -- are played at city parks.

Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg said he wanted the state association to be aware of the situation cities have been placed in because of the state law.

"I wanted to know if we need to use that in determining if we should opt out or comply with the law," Bragg said.

Bragg said after being informed of the association's stand on Monday that it "would make me consider my vote a little strongly on the opt-out side."

Bragg said he did not know the rest of the council's opinions on the issue and that the July 9 meeting is the earliest the council could discuss the gun ban.

Councilman Toby Gilley has said he's for the new state law. A message left at Gilley's home Monday was not returned.

Childress said the TSSAA does not allow anyone but uniformed law enforcement officers to carry guns at state championship events. He said that has included school resource officers, who often attend state championship events with the schools they work for during the season.

"We tell the SROs that if they have a need to bring their gun that they need to wear their uniform or not bring it into the arena," Childress said.

Childress does not have a vote on the awarding of state tournament sites but can make recommendations to the nine-member Board of Control that does vote.

That board recently chose to award the 2009-10 state football championships to Cookeville after Murfreesboro had been the host.

"We've got nine principals on the board and (guns) are a major concern for them every day," Childress said.

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