Senate votes for handguns in parks

[Pat McGarrity]

Here again, the Governor needs to hear from us. Don't get lazy on me now that real "hope & change" is within site!

The Governor can be reached by phone at (615)741-2001 or email Phil.Bredesen@tn.gov

Thanks,

Pat



http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... see-parks/



By Richard Locker (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal

Originally published 07:03 p.m., May 18, 2009

Updated 07:19 p.m., May 18, 2009

NASHVILLE — The state Senate voted tonight to allow handgun-carry permit holders to take their firearms into every state, city and county park in Tennessee.

The bill makes it mandatory that every Tennessee state park be opened to guns carried by permit holders. City councils and county commissions could ban guns in local parks under their jurisdictions only by majority vote for each park they wish to designate as gun-free zones.

It is currently illegal to carry guns into any state, local or federal park in Tennessee.

The Senate’s action puts it at odds with the House, which has approved two bills — one opening state parks to guns carried by carry-permit holders and another that allows local governments to vote to permit guns in any, all or parts of their parks.

Before any new legislation regarding guns in parks can become law, it must pass both chambers in identical forms. Although it now appears certain that state parks will be open to guns carried by permit holders, the outcome of guns in local parks is still in question, even though clear majorities of both chambers are now on record as favoring removing the statewide ban on guns in local parks.

The Senate approved the comprehensive Senate Bill 976 on a 24-8 vote. Among senators from the Memphis metro area, only Sens. Jim Kyle, Beverly Marrero and Reginald Tate — all Memphis Democrats — voted against the measure. Sen. Ophelia Ford, D-Memphis, abstained. All others from the metro area, including Sens. Mark Norris, R-Collierville; Paul Stanley, R-Germantown; and Delores Gresham, R-Somerville, voted in favor of guns in parks.

Kyle, the Democratic minority leader, led what opposition there was during a relatively short debate. He argued that cities and counties ought to be allowed to “opt in” to the statewide policy — that is, that guns remain banned in all local parks unless they are allowed by majority votes by city councils and county commissions — rather than being forced to opt out by specifically voting to ban guns park by park.

“This bill indicates that all local parks will automatically be carry areas unless the local government goes to the extra step of passing a resolution or ordinance by majority votes to make it where you cannot do that. It seems to me that we as state legislators need to concern ourselves with state property and allow local officials to concern themselves with local parks. They can manage their areas in ways they think appropriate.”

But Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, the bill’s sponsor, said she intends for the bill to create a statewide policy for all parks that presumes all are open to allow handgun-carry permit holders to bring their firearms. “The opt-out provision makes the most sense because if you have a statewide policy, local government should have to opt out of the statewide policy,” she said.

“Handgun-carry permit holders are not the problem. The point of this bill is to give law-abiding permit holders a fighting chance when confronted by a rapist or a robber,” Beavers said.

The bill is the latest in a series this legislative session that opens various currently gun-free zones to guns carried by licensees from Tennessee and other states with reciprocal agreements with Tennessee. Last week, lawmakers sent to Gov. Phil Bredesen a bill to allow permit-holders to carry firearms into places that serve alcohol, as long as they are not drinking themselves.

The governor has not said whether he will sign the bill into law, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.

But his administration has gone on record against guns in state parks. Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke testified against the bill in legislative committees.

[tnroadrunner]

Did I miss something here, dosen't the House have to pass this Bill before we contact the Governor?

[johnharris]

It becomes more significant after the House passes and concurs because it never goes to the Governor unless both the Senate and House agree on the exact same language.