| Features |
|
| Member Options |
|
|
| Downloads |
|
| |
|
| Council says 'no' to guns in parks |
By: By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter
|
Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2009 8:55 am
|
The Messenger 07.22.09
Although implored by three speakers not to do so, the Union City Council approved a resolution Tuesday evening prohibiting handguns in the city’s public municipal parks, nature trails “or other similar public places.”
Upon a motion by councilman Bill “Rat” Harrison and seconded by councilman Billy Jack Cranford, Resolution 75-10 passed 4-3.
Voting yes were Harrison, Cranford, Diane Eskew and Danny Leggett, while voting no were Mayor Terry Hailey, Judy Robinson and Johnny Bacon.
The guns in parks issue was among several items of public business transacted by the city council that met Tuesday at the Union City Municipal Building. Hailey presided and all members were present.
Opponents
Three who voiced opposition to the resolution banning guns in city parks were Rena Churchwell, William “Butch” Butler and David Worley, all of Union City.
Butler, who said he has a permit to carry a firearm, distributed a two-page, 11-point assessment of the issue. It was prepared by the Tennessee Firearms Association.
“I’m definitely against the ban on guns anywhere, except in bars,” he said. “I don’t believe a gun belongs in a bar. That’s why the gun ban was introduced.
“As far as guns in parks, it’s discrimination against one group, permit holders. You want to go walk in the park at night. Now you’re no longer allowed to carry your handgun.”
Butler asserts the Tennessee constitution, Article 1, Section 26, gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms for the common defense, “but the legislature shall have the power by law to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime.
“Which way would prevent crime more, a man walking in a park at night with a 45-caliber pistol or 9mm pistol or any handgun or a man walking unarmed? I would say the man who is armed and can protect himself would prevent crime a whole lot more.”
Worley of Union City expresses similar sentiments.
A Vietnam veteran who was twice wounded in action, he is an avid believer in Second Amendments rights to bear arms.
“You can take my gun away from me because I’m a law abiding citizen,” Worley said. “When you tell me I can’t wear my gun in your city park, I’ll do one of two things. I’ll take it off when I come to your events in Union City or I will stay at home. I have elected to stay at home.
“I was becoming a big Greyhounds baseball fan. I will not be back. I used to walk the walking track in Union City at night. I will not be back.”
Guns may be formally banned, as the city council took action to do, he added. Law abiding citizens will comply with the ban, but that doesn’t mean the criminal element will.
“The guns are already (out) there. They will be there from now on,” he said. “You cannot mandate enough laws to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. They don’t care about your law. The only people a gun law ever hurts is the law abiding citizen.”’
In other public business, the city council:
• Approved a budget for Union City School System for school year 2009-10. The budget, presented by Director of Schools Gary Houston, funds the Union City School System from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
The budget provides:
1. Expenditures: $13,920,141.
2. Revenues: $13,370,699.
It also reflects a fund balance of $503,442.
• Appointed city clerk Kathy Dillon as a temporary replacement for long-time city manager Don Thornton, who is retiring July 31. The appointment is effective Aug. 1. She is to serve in the position until a permanent successor is hired.
Thornton leaves with a total of 34 years service to the city — 30 as city manager and four in other capacities such as police dispatcher.
• Established Aug. 4 as the local observance of National Night Out. |
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
|
|
