Knoxville councilwoman and mayoral candidate Marilyn Roddy visited with the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennesse Firearms Association at their February 2011 meeting.
Roddy gave her vision for Knoxville if she is elected mayor. She spoke about jobs, neighhorhoods, and the downtown area. There was a discussion of infrastructure making it difficult for businesses downtown.
This column inquired as to whether or not she would use her "Bully Pulpit," if elected, to attempt to influence the Knoxville City Council to rescind the firearms ban in Knoxville parks. Her reply was,
No, I would not.
Although her answer was not surprising, it was disappointing.
It should be noted that this ban was passed in 1962 (Jim Crow?). Since then, Tennessee, along with 47 other states, has passed a law permitting lawful carrying of handguns. This law requires each permittee to undergo fingerprinting, a background check and training. Carry permit holders have proven to be arguably the most law abiding group in American society.
Since passing the permit law, the Tennessee General Assembly has passed laws over and over again easing restrictions on permit holders. The law originally prohibited carrying in stores that sell alcohol, such as grocery stores and convenience stores. Restrictions were lifted on these locations several years ago, with no bad results.
The General Assembly eased the restriction against carry in restaurants two years ago, then revisited the issue again last year. The General Assembly, listening to the People, passed this over two Governor's vetoes, and one invalidation by a judge.
The prior restraint prohibition on carry in parks was eliminated last year, with local jurisdictions given the opportunity to opt-out. Knox County voted to conform to the state law, allowing handgun carry, and Knoxville City elected to keep their decades-old ban in place.
The question for Knoxville gunvoters will be, is there a friendlier candidate than Roddy? At this time, I do not have any idea.
Voters should remember, too, that a mayor, with just a phone call, can have a police escort. That luxury is not afforded the average citizen. You are on your own, whether you are in a city park or on the street.
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If you learned from this article, here are more you might like:
Is it moral to use deadly force in self defense?
Veterans Day, gun free zones, and unarmed citizens
Tennesse Attorney General says contract trumps Bill of Rights
Check out the MJM Blog over at Lucky Gunner.
For other related Gun Rights Examiners' related articles, check HERE.
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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.
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