Germantown, TN seeks to limit guns in parks

[Seminole]

More hysteria about the possibility of people with HCPs carrying in local and municipal parks. Mind you, this is not in liberal, Democrat-dominated Memphis, but in its much more conservative and Republican-oriented Germantown suburb.

The background here is that HB0960, which will be voted on tomorrow (3/11/09) in the House Judiciary Committee was unfortunately passed out of the subcommittee with an amendment to allow "local" parks (not state or federal) to opt in or out of allowing HCP holders to carry in the parks. Bliss-ninnies both on and off the Germantown board of aldermen have been blathering on about the poor children who will be around us unpredictable holders of Handgun Carry Permits if municipalities aren't allowed to forbid legal carry in parks--as if they weren't around us in malls, grocery stores, streets, and countless other places already and as if criminals are not already carrying in parks. :banghead:

Germantown seeks to limit guns in parks

By Lela Garlington, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The prospect of citizens carrying guns in Germantown parks and restaurants drew about a dozen residents Monday night to the suburb's Municipal Center.

Most were upset that the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen had taken a neutral stand regarding legislation in Nashville that would allow handguns in parks and in restaurants that serve alcohol.

A few residents spoke in favor of carrying guns in public places, especially the city's paved recreational trail along the Wolf River.

Before residents took to the microphone during the "Citizens to be Heard" session, Alderman Carole Hinely made a preemptive strike.

She made a motion that the board support two legisbills that include amendments allowing cities the option to prohibit firearms in parks and recreational trails.

Alderman Mark Billingsley seconded it. He said he favors some handgun rights such as judges being allowed to have handguns. The motion passed 5-0.

The aldermen also voted 4-1 to approve on the second of three readings an ordinance giving them, not the mayor, the power to appoint chairmen of city boards and commissions.

Elizabeth Boyd, chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, asked the board to set aside the ordinance.

"Let it go. You guys need to work together," she pleaded.

Alderman Mike Palazzolo cast the lone "no" vote.

 

[Ruodo]

Damn that is horrible, and TN isn't too bad about gun laws usually.

 

[Seminole]

Damn that is horrible, and TN isn't too bad about gun laws usually.

Perhaps compared to some. It's not great either. It isn't legal to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol or in parks or other government-run real estate, the law allows for "no-carry" signs in businesses to have the force of law, loaded handguns may not be carried in a vehicle without a handgun carry permit, etc.

It's no NJ, but neither is it FL or AK.