Gun ban remains for school athletic events, attorney general says

WKRN Channel 2 News Posted: Jul 27, 2009 12:21 PM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper says people with handgun permits can't carry their weapons into city or county parks when they are being used by schools. In an opinion released Monday, Cooper says the state's new law to allow permit holders to bring their guns in 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." He writes that non-student permit holders can store their guns in their cars while school-sponsored events are going on. The opinion was requested by House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada of Franklin. Several communities are considering opting out of the guns in parks law. Several Mid-State communities including Brentwood, Williamson County, Murfreesboro and Clarksville have already opted out of the new law, which goes into effect September 1. The city of Columbia has chosen to allow guns in city parks. Local governments have until September 1, when the new law allowing guns takes effect, to opt out. *The Associated Press contributed to this report.