Bartlett/G' Town Parks Ban Votes Mon/Tue

[Pat McGarrity]

Gun Bans, gun bans, gun bans seem to be all the craze for local politicians this summer. I'll be at Bartlett to speak, if they allow me, and take note of the votes, to report who's a prejudiced civil rights violator, and who's not. And, at the Shelby County Commission tomorrow.

Pat McGarrity
Director - Shelby County TFA

http://www.tennesseefirearms.com



Germantown law may include buildings; Bartlett mulls issue
By Lela Garlington

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Banning guns in Germantown parks and also in any of the city's buildings is set for Monday night's agenda before the suburb's Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen also will consider banning guns in parks at a Tuesday night meeting.

Both resolutions cover all public recreational areas including public and historic parks, natural areas, greenways and waterways.

While Germantown handgun carry permit holders may find city parks off limits, starting Tuesday, they could be allowed to take their sidearms into restaurants or bars serving alcohol. Under the new state law, businesses must post signs if they decide to bar guns in their establishments.

In addition to excluding guns in its parks, Germantown is also seeking legislative action banning guns in any of its buildings. Without such action by the board, Germantown City Admin. Patrick Lawton said, "Theoretically, residents with carry permits could take their handgun into city hall."

While some cities like Memphis are passing a gun ban in parks by ordinance, both Germantown and Bartlett officials are voting on a resolution which requires a single board vote. An ordinance would require three readings.

If the measure passes, Lawton expects signs banning guns up within three weeks.

In March, during the state legislative session, the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a resolution unanimously supporting the guns-in-parks legislation provided municipalities were given the option to opt out.

The new law now allows guns in state parks such as Meeman-Shelby Forest and T.O. Fuller and includes a gradual Sept. 1 phase-in for city or county parks and February for national parks.

More than 220,000 Tennesseans hold gun permits. The law also recognizes several other states whose carry permits are valid here. City councils and county commissions are allowed under the law to exempt one, some or all of the local parks under their control by that time.

Collierville, Arlington, Lakeland and other cities are expected to vote on the matter before the legislation goes into effect for city and county parks Sept. 1.

Collierville Vice Mayor Jimmy Lott is among those who have a license to carry. He's undecided on how he will vote on the matter. "I can see why people wouldn't want guns in the park," Lott said. "And I can also see where someone that has a permit doesn't like to leave his gun in the car for someone to break in and steal."

In Germantown, eight percent of the city's residents who are 21 or older have a license to carry a handgun. Both Bartlett and Collierville have about 11 percent of their adult population with handgun carry permits.

-- Lela Garlington: 529-2349

Carry permits in Shelby County

There are 33,257 people with handgun carry permits in Shelby County.

Area / Permits /

Memphis / 18,332 /

Cordova / 3,232 /

Bartlett / 2,965 /

Collierville / 2,293 /

Germantown / 2,228 /

Millington / 1,571 /

Arlington / 1,441 /

Lakeland / 637 /

Eads / 290 /

Unincorporated Shelby County / 268 /

Source: Tennessee Department of Safety

Bartlett measure up for vote Tuesday

The Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider that suburb's resolution regarding guns in parks on Tuesday night. The board meets at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

Details

The Bartlett resolution is similar in wording to the one under consideration by Germantown Monday night.

If approved, a violation would be classified as a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 11 months, 29 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500 for carrying weapons on or in public recreational property.

Like, Germantown's, the Bartlett measure requires only one reading for passage.

-- Clay Bailey