Williamson County Schools’ officials are scrambling today to identify ways to continue athletic activities beginning next week when the “Guns in Parks” bill, passed by the General Assembly, is expected to become law.
The bill cleared a final hurdle Wednesday morning with passage in the State Senate by a 26-7 margin, but was amended to allow firearms on State Capitol property. The House will have to take up the bill again and approve the amendment before it moves to the governor’s desk.
Gov. Bill Haslam had flagged the bill earlier in the legislative session, indicating a lack of support for it.
“The governor has raised concerns about the legislation,” said Haslam’s spokesman Dave Smith. “If it comes to his desk, he’ll review it in its final form like he does all legislation before taking any action on it.”
Should Haslam veto the bill, it would go back to the state House of Representatives. The House needs only a simple majority to override the veto; the bill passed the House by a nearly two-thirds vote when debate was cut off before it started.
The measure removes the ability of local government units, both county and municipal, from passing their own legislation prohibiting the possession of firearms and will conflict with other state law provisions if it goes into effect Monday as expected. Under those laws, firearms are prohibited on school property or property used by schools.
The urgency of the matter has been forced by an unusual clause in the bill inserted by legislators that the law take affect immediately upon passage and signing of the bill, instead of the typical date of July 1 following approval.
That single clause leaves Williamson County, and school systems across the state, in an immediate and severe situation. (continue reading)