Not likely. Since the beginning, Tellico Village has been a deep red, conservative community. Roughly 85% of the folks in the village vote Republican. But it looks like this may not apply to the POA board of directors.

Earlier this week, the board released a statement that they plan to vote to make all POA facilities and properties gun free zones. Guess the POA board may have been infiltrated by left wing Joe Biden supporters. Better check some of their voting records.

The statement below mentions actions the state has taken to protect the 2nd amendment. Then they take actions to oppose the 2nd amendment? Nowhere in their statement did they mention how or what actions they will be taking to protect the unarmed citizens they want to create. They don't explain why after 35 years, they suddenly want to disarm law abiding citizens other than, they have the authority to.

The meeting to vote on the gun ban will be this Wednesday at the Yacht Club at 1:30 pm.   

Citizens of Tellico Village, you better get control of your POA board. If this is allowed to stand, this will be just the beginning. What's next, the POA Police?

It's time to incorporate. 

See statement below.

NO GUNS IN THE VILLAGE FACILITIES

POA BOARD POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING THE POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS ON TELLICO VILLAGE COMMON PROPERTIES

The POA Board has received a number of property owner comments and questions regarding the possession of handguns on Tellico Village common properties in light of recent changes in Tennessee law. The Board has spent a great deal of time evaluating this important issue and interpreting the applicable provisions of Tennessee law and the POA governing documents. The Board’s primary objectives in this evaluation are to ensure that the POA is in compliance with Tennessee law and the POA’s governing documents and to continue to foster property owners’ use and enjoyment of the POA’s common property facilities.

To begin with, on July 1, 2021, the Tennessee Legislature adopted what is known as the permitless carry law, which generally allows adults to carry a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a permit at most public and private properties. Specifically, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1307 was amended to create an exception to handgun permit requirements by permitting a person to carry a handgun, either openly or concealed, if the person is: a) at least twenty-one (21) years of age (or eighteen (18) years of age and a veteran or honorably discharged from the United States armed forces); b) the person lawfully possesses the handgun and c) the person is in a place where the person is lawfully present (e.g., trespass is not a lawful presence).

However, despite the advent of permitless carry law in Tennessee, property owners are still authorized under existing law to prohibit the possession of handguns on private properties. Specifically, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1359 broadly authorizes corporations (both for profit and non-profit), such as the POA, to prohibit the possession of handguns on private properties by posting particular notice signage in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property. The notice signage must expressly state “No Firearms Allowed” and must include a pictorial representation of a firearm inside a circle and located under a diagonal line.

Aside from Tennessee statutory provisions, the POA governing documents have also been taken into consideration. Pursuant to Article X of the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions for Tellico Village, the POA is charged with promoting the recreation, health, safety, and welfare of property owners related to the use and enjoyment of the common properties and the improvements situated thereon. Accordingly, Article VIII of the Declaration broadly authorizes the POA to create rules and regulations regarding the use of the POA’s common property facilities to enhance the property owners’ use and enjoyment thereof.

Based upon its authority set forth in the foregoing provisions of Tennessee law and the POA governing documents, the POA Board has determined that the possession of handguns on Tellico Village common properties shall be prohibited. The POA intends to proceed with placing notice signage on prominent locations of all POA common property facilities in accordance with the requirements set forth in Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1359.