County commissioners pass resolution to ban guns in parks, with one-year sunset provision
By Mindy Tate. Williamson Herald Editor
mtate@williamsonherald.com
Williamson County's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to prohibit handguns in county parks, natural areas and other similar public places after an amendment by Commissioner Jason Para to sunset the law on May 31, 2010.
Para's amendment did not pass unanimously, with six commissioners voting against it. While the provision to prohibit guns in parks would "sunset" or expire on May 31, 2010, Para's amendment also carried a clause to allow the prohibition to be lifted when and if the Williamson County Board of Education received clarification to the law recently passed by Tennessee General Assembly which allowed the school board to agree that it could use county parks if guns were present.
School officials have said that existing federal laws would prohibit them from using county parks for athletic and other school-related events and to replace those facilities was reported by County Parks Director Doug Hood to carry a price tag of approximately $35 million.
"As a government body, we need to have a clear reason to take rights away from people," Para said before making his amendment. "This is a problem created by the state and it needs to be resolved by the state or the courts."
An effort by Para to file a late resolution deferring action on the resolution while the county sought an attorney general's opinion on its legality was rejected when Commissioners Clyde Lynch and others objected to hearing it.
Commissioner Jeff Ford labeled Para's amendment "a good common-sense approach," adding, "It gives the opportunity for space and breathing room to work through some issues."
Commissioner Lew Green told commissioners the change at the last minute by legislators for make local governments opt out rather than opt in had a dramatic impact.
"I think if they had chosen opt-in, we would not be here discussing this," Green said. "Guns in parks. I cannot even fathom opting in."
The Brentwood Board of Commissioners is to take up the matter of guns in parks at its meeting at 7 p.m. while the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen will discuss the matter in a 5 p.m. work session Tuesday.
Read more on this story on the Williamson Herald's Web site later today or in Thursday's print edition.
Posted on: 7/13/2009
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