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Maryville City Council became the first governmental body in Blount County to opt out of a new law that would allow handguns in public places, including public parks.

Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to opt out of a law passed in the Tennessee legislature to allow people with handgun carry permits to take them into public parks, natural areas, historic parks, nature trails, campgrounds, forest greenways, waterways or other similar public lands.

While the legislature made such activity legal, local governments can reject and prohibit possession in these areas if they do so before the law takes effect Sept. 1.
Before the vote, council members expressed their views on the issue.

“I support gun owners and gun owners’ rights,” said Vice Mayor Andy White, but he questioned having guns in areas where competitive sports are played.

“Cooler minds don’t always prevail,” White said. “I don’t want to see a guy at a Little League game with a gun.”

Former Mayor Joe Swann said: “I think our history indicates that if it (these gun laws) had been in effect, that would not have made a difference. I don’t see a pressing need for such legislation. I suppose most of us own guns and grew up having them.”

Councilman Tommy Hunt said he does not want a situation where the police don’t know who the good guy is or who the bad guy is. He mentioned a case in New York where a young policeman off duty and not in uniform was chasing a thief and, because he was carrying a gun, was shot to death by other police officers.

Hunt said people dropping off passengers at one of these public places could have a handgun in their vehicle if they have a permit to carry a gun. They just can’t get out and take a gun into the park.

Under the new law, Maryville, which has eight public parks, will now have to put up signs in each park in prominent locations informing the public guns are not allowed.
Alcoa, Townsend next

Alcoa City Commission is expected to take up the issue up at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Alcoa Municipal Building,

In an initial discussion, Townsend City Commission expressed split opinions on the issue. They agreed to have it on the agenda at the commission meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 18 in Townsend Municipal Building.