Park Officials and LEOs say you dont need a gun...

[Autolycus]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Law enforcement and parks officials say there's no need for Tennessee to allow people to carry concealed guns into state and local parks.

Supporters of a bill to allow just that say law-abiding citizens should be allowed to carry guns anywhere they want.

The bill as approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday on a 6-4 vote would eliminate the part of the state law that prohibits concealed weapon permit carriers to have guns in public recreation areas, such as parks, playgrounds or civic centers.

The legislation was one of several concealed weapon bills lawmakers have considered this session.

"We have not seen any increase on the amount of felonies on park property," said April Welch, chairwoman of the Tennessee Park Rangers Association. "Our stance is we don't need to change something that isn't broken."

Supporters said people who criminally carry or use weapons disregard any laws about where weapons are and aren't allowed. They said people need to have the option to protect themselves from criminals wherever they are.

Its a few stories down.

 

[gunsmith]

thank you for posting this!

It is one of the things that kept me from moving to TN.
Now all they have to do is outlaw wild animals, feral dogs and criminals from attacking you and outlaw bears having teeth and claws.

 

[jeepmor]

We have not seen any increase on the amount of felonies on park property

Umm, isn't one too many for any of us? I don't like calling legislators idiots, their actions usually do that plenty enough for me. Here is a case in point.

 

[1911Tuner]

Tennessee

There's that "need" word again.

He said that they haven't seen any >increase< in the number of felonies. He didn't say that there aren't any...

 

[LAK]

"We have not seen any increase on the amount of felonies on park property," said April Welch, chairwoman of the Tennessee Park Rangers Association. "Our stance is we don't need to change something that isn't broken."

".. any increase"?

I would have countered with something like; "Well Ms Welch, exactly how many felonies against persons would be required for you to consider something is "broken"?"

-------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[romma]

We have not seen any increase on the amount of felonies on park property,"

Bet your bottom dollar you will see an increase now!

After a permit holder is disarmed and robbed trying to enjoy a stroll in the park, what then?

 

[obxned]

So what they are saying is that they are happy with the current number of victims and don't think they need to do anything until the rate is higher.

 

[mbt2001]

.gov doesn't get it...

I think we need to continue asking about the need... Why do we NEED this law? Why do I NEED to give you my money to effect the law? Why do we need a SWAT team? Why does the MAYOR NEED a big house and security? Why does the Speaker of the House NEED her own jet????

They have no business asking us about needs when their house is in such dissarray.

 

[qbpc]

I may be stupid but don't you want to see a decrease in felonies and not a steady amount?
BB

 

[ZeSpectre]

The bottom line here is "we don't trust you".

Well folks, you know the drill. Call, Write, Email. If you find out a good point of contact let the rest of us know.

(oh and while you are at it, set a precedent for carry in parks by helping to push this action... http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=260379 )

 

[sarge83]

Finding a Park Ranger is harder than finding a police officer when you need one! Stalinists...

 

[Smurfslayer]

Credibility?

when was the last time they said that you did need a gun?

In fact, when was the last time they said anything that even hinted at self reliance?

 

[Juna]

Law enforcement and parks officials say there's no need for Tennessee to allow people to carry concealed guns into state and local parks.

It's called the Bill of Rights, not the Bill of Needs.

"Our stance is we don't need to change something that isn't broken."

Our stance is that it IS broken in the sense that "gun-free zones" violate our constitutional right to bear (carry) arms.

 

[Daps]

What's the status on these bills?

 

[Geister]

Why should I give up a God-given Right when I walk on a piece of property that the federal or state government declared to be preserved?

April Welch doesn't have a clue; she doesn't realize that it has nothing to do with the amount of crime in state parks.

 

[Glockman17366]

I've always found it ludicrous when an LEO or someone else carrying a gun says "you don't need a gun"

 

[River Wraith]

It always torques me off when someone tells me I don't need a gun or asks in that stupid voice, "Why do you need a gun?" I too wonder how many felonies would need to be committed before teh system was pronounced broken.

 

[Sistema1927]

Why should I give up a God-given Right when I walk on a piece of property that the federal or state government declared to be preserved?

Better stated this way:

Why should I give up a God-given Right when I walk on a piece of property that I paid for?

 

[ProguninTN]

No Need

No need. Yeah, there will be no need when agencies reject current jurisprudence and begin accepting responsibility for citizens' safety. In the meantime, park carry is a good thing.

 

[gak]

I find there is no "need" to obey laws that are obviously biased towards criminals.

They disarm you so you're helpless, then when you call them they'll say: "Sorry, no one is available. Just beg for your life like the sheep you are for the next 90 minutes..."

After your death they'll claim they need hundreds of millions of more dollars because response time is so low. Mission accomplished.

 

[Geister]

That deserves to be on a bumper sticker, Sistema1927.