Collierville votes for parks safety

[Pat McGarrity]

Thanks and Congrats to Collierville TFA Members like Scott Frick that invested their time to make a difference!

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... ers-go-ar/




By Kevin McKenzie

Monday, August 10, 2009

Collierville will allow handgun-carry permit holders to pack their guns in parks and on greenbelt trails when a new state law takes effect on Sept. 1.

On a 3-2 vote, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday night defeated a resolution that would have allowed Collierville to "opt out" of the law allowing permit holders to carry in local, state and federal parks.

Memphis, Shelby County and Germantown have voted to ban guns from their parks. Bartlett delayed action over the question of whether the state law is constitutional.

Vice Mayor Jimmy Lott and Aldermen Tom Allen and Tony Sarwar voted against the resolution, which had been pummeled by about two dozen citizens who spoke before the vote.

Aldermen Maureen Fraser and Mike Russell voted for the resolution, which would have continued to ban guns in the town's 15 parks and extensive greenbelt trails.

Lott, who has a gun permit, cast the deciding vote and described a problem for those with permits. Leaving a gun in a car on park property is a violation and invites thieves to steal the firearm, he said.

Allen, who read the Second Amendment right to bear arms to an audience of more than 100, said he wasn't going to give up his right.

Sarwar said the core issue was freedom. "Would you rather be on the side of a criminal, or would you rather be on the side of someone who is trained?" asked Sarwar, echoing an argument posed earlier by residents.

Russell, who said he owns guns but not a handgun, said it came down to weighing whether the possibility of an accidental discharge or an escalating argument is greater than the possibility of someone stopping something.

"I think you do have a right to have guns," Russell said. "I don't think this (the proposed ban) is an unusual restriction."

Fraser said that unlike the people who came to the meeting to speak, she had received e-mails from a lot of people in favor of continuing to ban guns in parks.

"I know the gentleman in the back was screaming out 'majority rules' -- well the majority of people are not in agreement with some of you here in the audience," Fraser said.

The chairman of the town parks board, Lee Hinson, begged the board to continue the traditional ban on guns in parks, where there are large numbers of children.

"It's simply that there is no threat there that has been demonstrated," Hinson said.

However, Allen said that the parks board -- on which he serves -- had not actually voted on the issue.

Joy Tiffin Sutherland, 52, was one of the few who spoke for keeping the ban. "Keep it safe for the families; keep it safe for the kids," she said.

But Jack Gentry, 62, was typical of the speakers who urged Collierville to allow guns for personal protection.

"Those of us who are permitted to carry are the safest citizens in the state," Gentry said.

-- Kevin McKenzie: 529-2348

[GraceOutcast]

I was having a terrible day until I read this
Now I can protect myself and my nieces when we go trolling and spelunking

Has anyone heard anything about Cordova, Lakeland, and Arlington yet?

[Pat McGarrity]

Thanks! I think Cordova is all in Memphis now, so they are banned. I don't think a vote has taken place in Arlington or Lakeland.

Pat