Next week, the Chattanooga City Council will vote on a formal resolution to opt out of the General Assembly's guns in parks law, HB 716, a bill that lifts the statewide ban on firearms in parks. The council voted to reaffirm an existing resolution on June 16—banning firearms from city parks—at the behest of Larry Zehnder, administrator of the Parks and Recreation Department. The new resolution was discussed in the Legal and Legislative Committee meeting Tuesday, and will fulfill the requirements of the state bill's opt-out clause.
Cliff Hightower reports:
...it will take an official resolution to opt out of a Tennessee General Assembly bill that passed almost a month ago and allows such weapons in state and local parks.
The City Council named three members to an Audit Committee on Tuesday, which will work alongside City Auditor Randy Burns. The remaining two appointments to the five member panel have not been named.
Those named are former City Councilman David DiStefano, Charles Millsaps and Timothy Moore.
They will begin holding meetings, while awaiting the appointment of the other two members.
The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to establish the Audit Committee on June 2, following a year of debate about the issue.
David Morton
mwillingham on July 8, 2009
This is fantastic! While they're at it, they ought to ban firearms in all Chattanooga Housing Authority properties.
Sam Deaton on July 8, 2009
The naïvety of our City Council, this site's editors and everyone else who support "gun-free zones" continues to astound me. These bans (and other gun-control measures, for that matter) do not affect the people you need to worry about - those who don't/won't obey these or other laws. How many of the people that committed the various gun crimes here in the last few weeks do you think went through the all the trouble to get a background check, register and buy a gun at a gun store, pay $50-$100 to go to a firearms safety course, then complete more paperwork and shell out more money to the government to get a concealed-carry permit? My guess is none, but perhaps y'all could run down those numbers for us.
mwillingham on July 8, 2009
The city council members don't want to be inconvienenced with facts.
Sam Deaton on July 9, 2009
Maybe the Chattarati editors won't mind? How about a story on the phenomenal number of non-self-defense shootings in public spaces committed by people with concealed-carry permits and legally purchased weapons?
Lou Randall on July 9, 2009
While the issue of who should or should not carry a gun in parks is important, all the resolutions are a waste of time. The real problem is the weekly shootings in Chattanooga and the lack of interest by the city leaders to get them stopped. When is the last time the Chief of Police has been before the people to tell us what is being done to stop the shootings? When has he been ask to come before the council to inform them of any plan to stop the shootings? Heck, when is the last time anyone has seen him? What about the mayor? Has he made any comments or moves to stop the shootings? I'll bet both are laying low so they won't get shot. Maybe the citizens of Chattanooga should call in outside law enforcement to help stop the shootings since our police department can't seem to get the job done.
Dumb Liberal Yuppie on July 9, 2009
i think we should ban all guns from those that want to defend themselves from the criminals that will always have a gun. yay police state!
meh on July 9, 2009
Those who would forbid law-abiding citizens from Constitutional self-defense measures in a public place as implicitly assuming responsibility for the citizens' safety - so every time someone is shot at in the park after this idiocy is passed, SUE THE HELL OUT OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Accountability is the only way to control politicians.
meh on July 9, 2009
"as" should be "are", sorry
Lou Randall on July 10, 2009
We can't get accountability for "art" or "chasing women employees" from the mayor or police chief. And the city council is a rubber stamp for "that's politics" in Chattanooga. So, how can we expect the leaders of this city to stop the violence? Keep in mind that it is all about the money for these people. That said, I agree with sue the city. It's the only way to get their attention.
Allison on July 10, 2009
I found our city council members to be highly approachable and responsive. I am not rich, and very average and telephoned two council members about a problem recently. I was very pleased that the problem was addressed promptly. I am a big fan of Councilwomen Scott, and Jack Benson. Your view of the City council is not a correct one.
Lou Randall on July 10, 2009
If my view is incorrect why haven't we seen action by the council to get the mayor and chief on the job to stop the shooting spree this city is experiencing? Since the mayor has not been able to get the chief on the ball someone needs too. The way I see it that's one of the reasons the council is there. That's called "helping the citizens they represent" when no one else can or will.
Allison on July 10, 2009
Ok, well I am only partially correct, they are approachable on some issues. I take it back.