Council Not Budging On Banning Guns In Parks

Metro councilmembers deferred indefinitely a measure to allow guns in some rural parks. At issue on Tuesday night was the possibility that school children could visit those parks.

The Council already decided earlier this year not to allow handgun carry permit holders to bring their weapons into local parks. Tuesday night’s compromise would have permitted guns in some isolated parks, but council member Kristine LaLonde says it was better not to complicate the matter.

“At this point, we’ve made that decision, and it’s time for us to stick with that decision, and not create more convoluted and confusing law for everyone – permit holders and not, and so I’m glad that we’re deferring and I hope it stays deferred.”

Council also deferred until March a measure to change how the city’s public art fund distributes money around the county. The bill’s sponsor says in part that’s to let the Metro Arts Commission discuss the issue.