Memphis bans guns in parks, Nashville postpones

USA TODAY Posted 7/22/2009 7:25 AM ET MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The state's largest city has opted out of a new state law allowing people to carry guns in parks. With little debate, the Memphis City Council yesterday voted 11-2 to ban firearms in parks, playgrounds and public recreational buildings. The Commercial Appeal reported Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Ware saying Memphis isn't "the wild, wild West." The Shelby County Commission earlier voted to ban weapons in county parks and Germantown officials also banned firearms from their city parks. In Nashville, the Metro Council yesterday deferred until Aug. 6 a second reading on a measure to ban weapons in parks. A new state law allows guns in parks, but also lets local government opt out.