Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Legislature / Politics / Woods Metro Parks Chief Comments on Gun Bill: 'My Blood Boils'
Posted by Jeff Woods on Tue, Feb 24, 2009 at 5:50 AM
Pith asked Metro parks director Roy Wilson what he thinks about this legislation. Wilson didn't know about it. He thought the bill applies only to state parks. (Thanks to the mayor's crack team of legislative lobbyists for keeping city officials informed.) Told that indeed the bill covers city parks, Wilson was outraged:
"These are places for fun, not guns. You mention this and my blood boils. That would put our children in harm's way. That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. All you have to do is turn on the news and you hear about people being killed by guns. And yet they want to give people more access to guns. Many of our parks are adjacent to schools. Do we want to have people walking around with guns next to a school playground where there are children playing?"The gun bills come up tomorrow before a House Judiciary subcommittee. In the past, Jimmy Naifeh found ways to kill the same proposals, which are backed by both Republicans and Democrats. What will new House Speaker Kent Williams do? He has said he's against guns in saloons and city parks. Tomorrow is the first test of whether he will exercise his power to keep stupid legislators in check.
Comments (32)
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I don't suppose the honorable Roy Wilson has any plans to disarm his goons, does he?
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=50949
Or how about he just clears out the drug dealers from the parks? That should be easy enough, right?
Mr. Wilson claims he doesn't have the manpower to patrol all of the parks. I believe him.
Last year, we had rapes, robberies, and shootings at Metro Parks. Citizens are responsible for their own safety. Guns can be useful tools to accomplish that goal. Look, shoot me an email. I will take you to Metro parks that have open drug dealers. I can take you to the homeless camps. I actually know one park that has a little crack/5 dollar handjob/10 dollar sex shack. Does this sound safe? What happens to Muffy when she and her "min-pin" stumble upon one of the above Metro Parks attractions? Yeah, maybe she shouldn't be using the parks by herself. Maybe it will be her fault if some sort of "Wooded Rapist" drags her into the bushes out near Cornelia Fort Airport.
I will continue to carry a weapon when I visit some of Metro's Parks. I will do that until Mr. Wilson starts assigning one of his officers to each Metro Park or can otherwise guarantee my safety. Until then, I am responsible for myself.
This is a good law. It has no fiscal note. It plays to the majority base of Tennessee voters. It will pass.
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Sorry if I don't have more confidence because Joe Blow is packing, I'm sure he's a crack shot and all. This type of jocular, chest thumping, faux rugged individualism has run its course. The justification for this type of legislation is always built on fear mongering (usually tied with soft racism). If you're afraid of the world, afraid of minorities, afraid of anything that doesn't fit inside an image of "america" that never existed, then the answer is "more guns". It's the ultimate in cowardice. That means you, JL, and that means every legislator that supports this nonsense.
Don't we have some caves or hills somewhere in Kentucky where these terrified,gun carrying folks can go hide together? But maybe they wouldn't get along and there might be bloodshed.
Scott,
I suppose you are correct. I am skeered.
That's why I have fire insurance, car insurance, homeowners insurance, flood riders, health insurance, fire extinguishers(kitchen, laundry room, and garage!), Carbon Monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, seat belts, and a first aid kit. I keep all those things because of cowardice.
Or is it possible that I am just attempting to do my part in insuring my safety? Naaaah, couldn't be.
Guns are simply tools. They don't possess magical powers. They don't fix all problems. Sometimes, though, they are the best tool for the job.
I think it is great that the founder's of America recognized our inherent right to self defense. It is wonderful that some of these knee jerk hopolophobic laws are being dialed back.
Odds are, Scott, that you never need a gun for self defense. You probably will never need a smoke alarm. It would be a sad day for you and your family if you needed either and didn't have the right tool for the job.
Good luck.
"To my mind it is wholly irresponsible to go into the world incapable of preventing violence, injury, crime, and death. How feeble is the mindset to accept defenselessness. How unnatural. How cheap. How cowardly. How pathetic."
--Ted Nugent
Who's the real coward, Scott?
Mr. Wilson, if it takes so little to overcome yourself-control, you yourself probably shouldn't go armed.
Please do not, however, assume that everyone is as incapacitated as you appear to be admitting yourself to be.
"This type of jocular, chest thumping, faux rugged individualism has run its course"
"faux" individualism?
LOL
You aren't the least bit capable of proving there is anything "faux" about it.
Scott,
Since when does it become racist to arm yourself, you people that pull the race card whenever someone has an opposing viewpoint is despicable. I had a brother-in law who was robbed and murdered in Chicago, a city that has strict gun control laws. He niether asked to be murdered or put himself in harms way, he was gunned down for money. Oh by the way he was black and his assailants were black.
The sad truth is that some people still believe that guns kill, even that idiot Mr. Wilson stated that "people are being killed by guns". People kill people, not guns, knives, cars or any other inanimate object.
I hope that you never have to defend your family in a park or at home, but if you have to do so I hope that you can convince the perp to put his gun away.
Scott,
You seem to be laboring the false assumption that I go armed to protect you.
I'm not a cop, I go armed to protect myself.
The most important thing to remember is that there ARE guns in parks. Murder has always been illegal. Those willing to break the law against murder can't be expected to think twice about breaking a law about gun carrying. Only law abiding citizens are disarmed by gun laws. Gun laws do not prevent guns from being used by criminals.
There is nothing macho, prideful, or idealistic about it. I carry a gun because I am responsible for protecting my family. I am a good martial artist, but I can't beat a gun. I have a loud voice, but I can't assume my voice will reach a cop before a bullet reaches me. I hope I never have to shoot anyone, and I know it will change me forever if I do, but for my family, I would do it.
Are you angry about guns being near your children? I am angry about people with guns wanting to hurt our children, so I carry one myself to stop them. Are you worried about guns being near alcohol? So am I. When I am having a nice dinner, but someone near me is getting drunk, the odds I will need to defend myself increase. Are you worried about guns being near our wildlife? The wildlife is what worries me. Only a fool would hunt a bear with a pistol, but if the bear is hunting me, I would rather have a pistol than a stick.
If guns could no longer exist, I might not argue, though it is fair to remember that violence occurred long before the invent of the gun, and in that time, strength is what ruled and is what created our stereotypes. I'm not sure that a world without them would be a better one, but experience has shown us that we cannot remove them from the criminal element. As long as criminals have guns, no one has the right to tell me that I must be at a disadvantage while protecting my family.
"Since when does it become racist to arm yourself,..."
African-Americans commit 58% of the violent crime, so self-defense against criminals is likely to be against African-Americans and therefore racist. Thus you have to allow yourself to be disarmed so that they can get it up to 60%, or you're a racist for opposing them. Those are the two choices that the commie libs give you.
I think that all states should be like texas, in the sense that in texas its legal to carry a firearm as long as its in plain sight. that would reduce the amounts of rape, kiddnapping and murder, because i dont know about you but i wont mess with some one with a loaded .357 on their hip!
Mr. Woods,
And your precendent is what exactly? Here in Indiana we legalized carrying of firearms in state parks. None of the problems that you proclaim are evident here, maybe we Yankees are just better people?
Dave bursic,
"I think that all states should be like texas, in the sense that in texas its legal to carry a firearm as long as its in plain sight."
This is not the law in Texas. Texas has a rigorous carry law with a provision that the pistol MUST be concealed.
Kirk Freeman
Lafayette, Indiana
" I will take you to Metro parks that have open drug dealers. I can take you to the homeless camps. I actually know one park that has a little crack/5 dollar handjob/10 dollar sex shack. Does this sound safe? What happens to Muffy when she and her "min-pin" stumble upon one of the above Metro Parks attractions? Yeah, maybe she shouldn't be using the parks by herself. Maybe it will be her fault if some sort of "Wooded Rapist" drags her into the bushes out near Cornelia Fort Airport."
Fine. Have you taken the police there? Reporters? TV cameras?
To the Web Editor:
What does licensed concealed carry by permit holders have to do with your top-bar image for this story?
(Which is, admittedly, of someone with a Federal license and FBI background check, to possess that 20mm anti-tank rifle. Obviously he must be a threat to The Children.)
On the main topic:
Vermont manages to have no requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, yet somehow also has no park crime sprees caused by same.
There is simply no danger in the mass of citizens (regardless of the color of their skin, no matter what scottj says) possessing and carrying firearms.
Those who are dangerous criminals will continue to do so illegally, as they already do.
They don't have concealed carry permits - because they're almost all already felons, and can't even legally possess a firearm.
Double-special-ultra banning their possession of firearms "because it's a park" is magical thinking - and magical thinking doesn't work.
Dave Bursic, Texas has some of the highest violent crime rates in the country also. Not saying there is a causal effect, but people always using Texas as this great example, whether it's their conceal and carry laws or their liberal use of the death penalty, aren't looking at the entire picture.
Anyways,Woods, it looks like you've got another winner of a topic. Nothing like anything remotely smelling like gun control to get everyone fired up.
Do some homework. People with handgun permits are even less likely to commit gun crimes than POLICE. THIS IS A FACT.
I have a permit and there is no good reason I should have to leave my holster and gun in my car where it can be stolen. I carry with me everywhere. What is the POINT of this law? Is there a point?
chris1974,
HOUSTON does, and most of it is committed by drug traffikers. Handgun carry permit holders are THE most law abiding citizens in the country.
Fact.
This is GOING TO PASS. People that have an irrational fear of guns will be forced to GET OVER IT.
:)
If you have an open mind, this is a fairly easy case to figure out. Set a standard for "responsibility", based on actual events. I'd suggest somewhere near the level exhibited by policemen. Look at the many other states that allow licensed carry in parks and bars, and see what their experience has been. If you find out that license holders are too irresponsible based on objective measurements, then ban them. If on the other hand, they do a better job than police, allow them.
Wow...nearly every comment here makes Jeff Woods look like the clueless political hack that he is...
"In the past, Jimmy Naifeh found ways to kill the same proposals"
Funny all the talk of "democracy" from people like you, yet you applaud Jim Naifah's undemocratic actions on this issue. Do you have a problem with voting? A VAST majority of Tennesseans SUPPORT THIS.
"All you have to do is turn on the news and you hear about people being killed by guns."
- People with carry permits are killing people? Hum...either I have missed something or this guy is equally as clueless as Jeff Woods...lol
"chris1974 says:
Texas has some of the highest violent crime rates in the country also."
How many violent crimes are committed by permit holders in TX each year? Do you have a number?
Since when is it racist to arm yourself againt criminals? Last I heard criminals arn'nt a race. Vermin is more like it.
"I think that all states should be like Texas, in the sense that in texas its legal to carry a firearm as long as its in plain sight. that would reduce the amounts of rape, kiddnapping and murder, because i dont know about you but i wont mess with some one with a loaded .357 on their hip!"
Texas dos'nt allow open carry though there is a movement underway there to do so. Here in Wyoming open carry is fairly common and totally accepted and crime here is extremely low. Dave, I DO carry a loaded .357 on my hip!
I'm like Rustmeister, I dont carry to protect others, just myself and family. Speaking only for myself; If someone else has'nt made the effort to insure their own safety from crime I sure aint going to provide it.
Absolutely right. Keep ALL GUNS 1000 feet from a school, church, liquor store, day care center, shopping center or hospital. And MAKE SURE that any POLICE entering this sacred area are UNARMED! No guns, knives, clubs, tasers, blackjacks, body armor, helmets or seat belts. They can take a lesson from GANDHI and threaten to go on a HUNGER STRIKE should any micreant turn up in one of these "gun free"/victim disarmament zones and fail to follow their "requests" to cease and desist! NON-VIOLENCE RULES!
Since all newspapers are going BANKRUPT, this one should apply for a handout/bailout ASAP. Then when they are NATIONALIZED the content can be "controlled". ANd in 2 years, after the socialists are thrown out, the government bureau of "approved commenters" can send this fool BACK to his previous job of flipping burgers at Micky D's.
I will gladly quit carrying my firearm when you can certify that all of the criminals have quit carrying any sort of deadly weapon.
Until then, you are deluding yourself if you think that citizens carrying firearms causes problems. And remember "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." --Sigmund Freud
So grow up and realize that depending upon others to protect you is childish.
JL? Are you for real?
Guns in a park? Sex Shack?
I jog near Cornelia Fort and it's a very nice park? I actually very safe there. Metro Parks do a great job and don't need idiot's being paid by the right to make up crazy false statements and post them on the internet!
Get a grip!
Really,
Call Bill Penn at Metro Codes.
Ask him what his guys tore down last fall behind Meigs School(in a Metro Park).
That "facility" is up and running again. Just head down 6th Street towards Ellington. Walk into the woods(you will see a path). Bring 10 dollars.
That is just one. I am a little apprehensive about posting all the good places to buy dope and dirty hookers in Metro Parks. I don't think it serves the public good to advertise for them. But I will take the author on a tour if he wishes.
Note the silence from Mr. Woods. If he really had any guts he would be here countering people's claims but its obvious he's shooting blanks...lol
" think that all states should be like texas, in the sense that in texas its legal to carry a firearm as long as its in plain sight. "
Please look into things before stating as fact. If you open carry in TX you will most likely be arrest due to the fact that it is NOT legal to do so in that state.
http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/072408kvueopencarry-sb.8aaac2f3.html
