Lenoir City Follows Suit On Weapons Prohibition

News Herald
Brandon Jones

*October 30, 2008*

As a last minute addition to Lenoir City Council's agenda Monday night, an addendum banning weapons in city offices and public buildings was briefly discussed prior to the onset of the meeting and subsequent approval.

Along with the ordinance being passed, a resolution making weapons possession in such places a municipal - as well as a state - offense. The added resolution simply "does a little more" for the weapons prohibition, said Lenoir City Mayor Matt Brookshire.

City Attorney Shannon Littleton said this measure is "very similar to what the county passed a few days ago," through which the offense now extends throughout the county's city and public facilities.

The rule - signs must be posted on windows where the an is effective. If found in possession of a gun on such property hereafter, those in violation will be subject to imprisonment and fines up to $500, plus be found in violation of city and state regulations, said Littleton.

One of the discussions that circles this topic is the fact that if no one has a weapon, what will they do if someone gets in both with a weapon and the intention of using it, officials have noted. Security measures have been questioned for such places where the ban is enforced. But no mention of additional personnel, etc. was made during the meeting. On the "Warning" sign included in the agenda, it reads, however, "All persons, packages, purses, and briefcases are subject to search and screening while on the premises," implying that someone will be there to do theses things...perhaps as a deterrent.

Anyone curious as to what constitutes a weapon, the following are included on the warning sign as well: firearms, chemical sprays and weapons "of any kind and/or contraband," with the reminder that "Failure to comply with this prohibition is punishable as a criminal act under state law and may subject the violator to arrest."

The approval of the prohibition was unanimous.

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Unanimous means all the city councilmen voted for the gun control measure including my opponent, Lenoir City councilman, Eddie Simpson.

As a footnote, unanimous also included then city councilman, now city mayor and 32nd state representative hopeful, Tony Aikens.

Removal of ‘no guns' signs concerns Loudon residents

Hugh G. Willett knoxnews.com 10/22/14

A few weeks after the Loudon County Commission voted unanimously to remove signs banning guns from county buildings, some residents who regularly attend local government meetings are expressing their concerns....

County Commissioner Van Shaver made the motion to remove the signs. He believes the signs should never have been put up in the first place. He said former County Mayor Doyle Arp put up the signs in 2007.

The commission did not change the law, he said. There is no law prohibiting licensed concealed weapon carriers from bringing their guns into public buildings. "The commission only removed the signs," he said....

Shaver said he sees no reason to restrict the rights of citizens, who are legally authorized to carry their weapons in most public places, from carrying weapons in public buildings that are paid for by the tax payers. He also thinks the concerns about increased danger are misguided. "A well-armed society is much safer," he said....

Liston Matthews is editor of the Knoxville Gun Rights Examiner Web page. A gun-rights activist since 1971, he was involved in passing the legislation for concealed carry in Tennessee. He applauded the Loudon County Commission for its decision. "I think it was a good idea," he said.

Matthews said gun permit holders have already been vetted by the licensing process and as a group are much more law abiding and less likely to cause trouble than just about any other demographic, including churchgoers, he said. "It's wrong for a government entity to restrict the rights of citizens to protect themselves, particularly if the government does not provide security," he said.