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The Blount County Commission may consider opting out of a new law that would allow handguns in public places, including public parks.

The Agenda Committee will consider sending the resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Mike Lewis, to the full commission for a vote.

The Maryville City Council on Aug. 3 became the first governmental body in Blount County to opt out of the law. Alcoa Commission plans to consider the issue tonight at its 7 o’clock meeting.

Joe Huff, executive director of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said that individual governments that own local parks have to decide whether to opt out.

“Our job as Parks and Recs is we maintain and operate (the parks),” he said. “We don’t pass resolutions.”

County parks include Louisville Point Park, Everett Recreation Center and the Everett Athletic Complex, Eagleton Little League, Richard Williams Park and a small section of the Greenway Park called Frank Vogle Park.

The new law allows 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 prohibit possession in these areas before the law takes effect Sept. 1.

If the Agenda Committee refers the resolution to the full commission, no action will be taken until the Aug. 20 County Commission meeting.

The Agenda Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. today in Room 430 of the Blount County Courthouse.