By Bill Grubb

ROGERSVILLE - Hawkins County Commissioners shot down a resolution Monday banning individuals with concealed permits from bringing handguns to county-owned parks.
    Beginning September 1, individuals with the permits will be allowed to have handguns in parks unless a local government opts out of the statute by a majority vote.
    The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Kenneth Long, would have made it a misdemeanor, punishable by a sentence of 11 months and 29 days and  a fine not to exceed $2,500, to bring a firearm to Laurel Run or Saint Clair parks.
    Commissioner Chris Jones, who is employed by the Town of Mount Carmel, said he teaches a concealed permit class but does not actually have a permit himself or carry his duty weapon when off duty.
    Jones said the typical "students" in the class are elderly individuals who want to feel more secure.
    Hawkins County resident Randy Ingram cited  a 2007 incident in which a woman was injured at Laurel Run by a pit bull as a case where an individual with a firearm could made a difference. He also suggested wild animals, including black bears, are indigenous to the area and could pose a threat.
    "How many of you want to face a family that has lost a loved one because they've been prevented from protecting themselves?" Ingram said.  "Who wants to face a family and say you're not permitted to protect yourself even though the state has legally licensed you to do so?"  
    Although the resolution failed to receive a majority, with nine "yes" votes, 11 "no" votes and one abstention.
    Long, the sponsor of the resolution is also a county employee who oversees the parks.  Based on advice from the county attorney, he routinely abstains from matters relating to park business and abstained from voting for his resolution.
    The resolution was for "approval to disallow handguns in county owned parks."  A "yes" vote supported the resolution, which would have implemented the ban.
    Commissioners Fred Montgomery, Tim Simpson, Danny Alvis, Hanes Cooper, Linda Kimbro, Virgil Mallett, Bill Henderson, Gorman Lipe and Claude Parrott cast "yes" votes.
    Commissioners Jones, Dwight Carter, Larry Frost, Stacy Vaughan, Charles Thacker, Boyd Goodson, Shane Bailey, Gary Hicks, Jr., Bob Palmer, Charlie Newton and Carmel Maddox voted "no."
    In a telephone call following the meeting Alvis indicated he felt some commissioners misunderstood an explanation from County Attorney Jim Phillips.
    In a related matter, Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper says people with handgun permits can not carry their weapons into parks or sports fields when they are being used by schools.
    The opinion, released Monday, states the new law to allow permit holders to bring their guns in city and county parks does not prohibit schools from using those facilities. But once they do, guns would be banned there.
    Cooper cites state law that bans guns in any area "owned, used or operated by a school."