PIGEON FORGE Gun ban

[BG38357]

Gun ban on Forge agenda


By DEREK HODGES
Aug 09, 2009

PIGEON FORGE Despite the desire of Mayor Keith Whaley to wait on the issue and a seeming consensus behind that feeling, City Commission members are set to consider a resolution during the meeting Monday that would ban firearms in public parks.

The prohibition, on the agenda as Resolution No. 764 for the group's session at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall, would include all handguns, regardless of if the carrier is permitted to have them. The move is a response to a recent change in state law that would allow the weapons on municipal properties.

That action by the General Assembly gave the cities the option of instituting their own bans to keep guns out of their parks, something Gatlinburg and several other local cities have already done or at least considered. Municipalities that don't act will start allowing guns in those areas as of the beginning of next month.

In Pigeon Forge, that could mean firearms in City Park, the Community Center, Patriot Park and on the Riverwalk greenway. City officials, including representatives from the Parks and Recreation and Police Departments, have expressed serious concerns about allowing guns in any of the areas, though there are particular worries about City Park and the Community Center because both are frequently used by groups from nearby schools.

In a work session last week, it appeared the City Commission's members were unanimously prepared to vote in favor of some type of ban, though there will likely be some contention over if the restriction should apply to all municipal properties. Three commissioners made statements suggesting they'd be OK with a full ban, though Mayor Keith Whaley and Commissioner David Wear appeared reluctant to include the Riverwalk in prohibition.

Whaley said he's heard from some folks in the community who want to be able to carry their guns for "security" while using the greenway and he feels a full ban would be tantamount to "watering down our constitutional rights." Meanwhile, Commissioner Joyce Brackins said she supports keeping the weapons out of all parks, while Commissioner Randal Robinson pointed out there are other ways of protecting oneself without using a gun.

Vice Mayor Kevin McClure said he supports a ban, though he did not specify if he would be willing to exempt the Riverwalk, which is considered a linear park under state guidelines.

Also on the agenda for Monday's session is:

An agreement with SRA Architects for schematic design on a proposed fire station on Veterans Boulevard at a cost of $17,100

A proposal with Vision Engineering to provide surveying and topographical services for the proposed fire station at a cost of $2,000

A proposal from S&ME to provide environmental review on the site for the proposed fire station at a cost of $2,500

A proposal from Wilbur Smith Associates to rework/review alignment for a new road for the fire station

An annexation agreement between Mountain Reflections LLC and the city to correct language relating to extension of sewer lines to the developer's property

Reappointment of Robert Young to the Planning Commission

Appointment of a member of the City Council to the Planning Commission.