WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Gun rights advocates want 'opt out' clause repealed

Gun rights advocates want 'opt out' clause repealed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Second Amendment advocacy group says it plans to push state lawmakers to repeal the controversial "opt-out" clause of a new law allowing guns in local parks.

It comes Tuesday, the first day that handgun permit holders can carry their weapons in local parks, but many large cities and counties have decided to "opt out" the new law.

Tennessee Firearms Association President John Harris thinks municipalities should be making the opt-out decision on a park by park basis, and not decide all of them at once as most municipalities have.

"I feel that is not consistent what the general assembly wanted," said Harris, adding that Lewisburg is the only town to have a park-by-park vote about implementing the new carry law.

"The law, as its being implemented, creates a lot of confusion and certainty about what is off limits and what is not," Harris said.

Harris believes Metro Nashville government- which opted out- is not following the law explicitly.

He says signs have not been posted that say guns are banned.

House democrat leader Gary Odom thinks repealing the opt-out clause is a moot argument because local governments can do what they want with their parks since they own them.

"I believe in property rights. I support the ability of a property owner to say what can and can't happen on their property," said the Nashville lawmaker.

He added that the entire issue of handgun permits may eventually be revisited because there are now so many conflicting laws.

The Tennessee Firearms Assoc. believes city and counties can vote to "opt back in" if they choose to do it on a park by park basis.

Previous Stories:

• Aug. 31, 2009: Guns allowed in Mt. Juliet parks, except when used by schools
• Aug. 31, 2009: 'Guns in Parks' takes effect at Midnight
• Aug. 28, 2009: Allowing guns in parks will keep Fairview students out
• Aug. 18, 2009: Metro Council passes ban on guns in parks
• Aug. 6, 2009: Metro Council takes 2nd vote on 'guns in parks'
• Aug. 6, 2009: Allowing 'guns in parks' conflicts with existing Metro ban
• July 31, 2009: NRA, TFA take aim at Nashville 'guns and parks' law
• July 30, 2009: Metro debates whether to allow guns in parks
• July 29, 2009: Mt. Juliet will let permit holders' guns in parks
• July 28, 2009: Franklin opts out of guns in parks
• July 27, 2009: Gun ban remains for school athletic events, attorney general says
• July 21, 2009: Metro compromise ahead for 'guns in parks'?
• July 20, 2009: Columbia votes to allow 'guns in parks'
• July 17, 2009: Council member looks to ban guns in parks
• July 14, 2009: Williamson Co. municipalities shoot down 'guns in parks'
• July 13, 2009: Guns banned from Williamson Co., Brentwood parks
• July 10, 2009: Murfreesboro opts out of guns in parks
• July 7, 2009: Williamson Co. considers opting out of guns in parks
• June 29, 2009: Local governments consider ban on guns in parks
• June 18, 2009: Nashville looks to keep guns out of parks
• May 27, 2009: 'Guns in parks' bill is one step closer to becoming law
• March 4, 2009: Should guns be allowed in parks?