Audio clip
Warren Mackey
Though Hamilton County handgun owners with concealed-carry permits might soon be able to bring their guns into state parks, local officials may not let them into county and city parks.
“A park should be the last place you need a firearm,” said County Commissioner Greg Beck, whose district includes the new Enterprise South Nature Park. “It’s supposed to be a place of peace.”
A bill in the General Assembly now making its way to Gov. Phil Bredesen’s desk would allow permit holders to carry their guns into state parks. But it would give local governing bodies the ability to ban guns in their own parks.
In order to not allow guns in local parks, local officials must “opt out” by passing an ordinance prohibiting them, state officials said.
Mayor Ron Littlefield said this week that a local ordinance banning guns from parks has been on the city’s books “forever.” He said if it takes a vote by the City Council reaffirming that ordinance, he would ask the council to push it through.
“Our parks are for children and families and I don’t think people will want anyone armed running around,” he said.
Commission Chairman Jim Coppinger, whose district includes Chester Frost Park, said he supports gun rights but expressed some apprehension about people bringing guns into the park’s campsites.
“You hope everyone would behave and do everything in responsible ways,” he said.
He said he’ll have to wait and see what comes out of the legislature before bringing anything to the commission. He said state lawmakers did not contact him for input on the bill.
City Council Chairman Jack Benson said he did not contact or have any contact with legislators about the bill, but thought it was a bad idea. He said he has spoken to law enforcement officials and heard it would create more problems than it would be worth.
“I’m against opening up our parks and our Riverwalk to weapons, concealed or unconcealed,” he said.
State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, who voted in favor of the bill, said he had very few discussions with local officials about it. But, he said, the sponsor of the amendment that allowed locals to decide whether to allow guns in their parks, had their autonomy in mind.
“Rather than the state making a universal decision about the parks, we left it up to the people who know their own areas,” he said.
State Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, said he had no contact with local officials about the bill.
State Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, could not be reached for comment.
State Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, said he supported anyone who had a permit to carry a weapon into areas they could legally carry. He said he would have taken into consideration any local officials input on the bill, if it had been given.
“I wasn’t approached by any of them,” he said. “I was following the will of my constituents, who overwhelmingly supported it.”
Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, said he could understand local governments concerns and had already alerted East Ridge officials that they would need to opt out.
Commissioner Larry Henry said it would be good for people with permits to have their guns in some parks.
“People that are doing harm, they’re not going to have a permit,” he said.
But Commissioner Warren Mackey said lots of people who carry guns, even those who have taken classes and have permits, pose a threat to themselves and others. He said people who get robbed or attacked in a park should probably just call the police instead of possibly making a mistake with a gun.
“Let the professionals do the job,” he said.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
I guess the special interest pressure hasn't reached the local politicians yet. It's easy to vote with the boys in Nashville but the ones at home have to live with their decisions. It will be them and their kids out there in the parks.
"Commissioner Warren Mackey said lots of people who carry guns, even those who have taken classes and have permits, pose a threat to themselves and others. He said people who get robbed or attacked in a park should probably just call the police instead of possibly making a mistake with a gun.
“Let the professionals do the job,” he said"
That statement ranks right up there with the dumbest statements ever uttered. Wait, while you're raping me let me call 911. Or maybe some interested passerby will realize you're being attacked and call. The only job the professionals will be doing is gathering evidence and bagging bodies just as they do now.
Look at all the people that died in Mcdonalds and Lubys waiting for the "professional"to do their job. ALot of good their are after the fact. I would much rather be armed and able to stop a gunman even if it means saving the life of some anti gun sissy who's best defense is stupidly staring at the gunman and hoping, foolishly, that the cop will make it in time to save them and their children they chose not to protect
"Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, said he could understand local governments concerns and had already alerted East Ridge officials that they would need to opt out."
East Ridge officials need to opt out eh? Well I'm headed for the gun show at Camp Jordan - you know, the one in East Ridge!
enufisenuf - then you're a better man than I am. There is no way I'm going to risk my life or my family's to save someone else. I'm not a cop nor am I responsible for the dafety of anyone else. If I think there is enough of a risk to me and mine, then I'll take action but only if there is absolutely no other option for me including but not limited to scooting out the back door.
Let's assume I get out the back door and some others are shot. I can see it now. One of the families finds out I had a weapon and didn't use it to save their loved one. I get sued. Oh well.
The Police departments in this area are greatly under-staffed. The homeland security money could be used to hire more officers and allow them to do their jobs. Instead, the money is going to be used to install cameras at the port of Chattanooga. We have a port here! Oh yes, It is a dock with a street light and Of course, a coke machine. My Experience in the military (and several combat environments) have taught me to; Hope for the best and plan for the worst! I have a CCW permit and practice using my pistol. All I can say is, That when seconds count, The police are minutes away and it is hard to get the corpes side of the story!
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