TN: Gunning for a library book? Better not bring your weapon

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/nov/20/gunning-library-book-better-not-bring-your-weapon/
Gunning for a library book? Better not bring your weapon

* By Rebecca Ferrar
* Posted November 20, 2009 at midnight

After an incident two weeks ago at its Fountain City branch, the Knox County Public Library system has posted signs prohibiting handguns and any weapon at its branches.

Such a sign has been posted for decades at the Lawson McGhee Library in downtown Knoxville, but not at the 17 branch libraries, said Larry Frank, director of the library system.

Frank said he wrote a memo to Knox County Law Director Bill Lockett about the handgun policy in libraries after a man came into the Fountain City library with a “visibly holstered handgun.”

“Although the patron questioned library policies, he was not disruptive in any way and did not behave in any manner that could otherwise be perceived as threatening,” Frank wrote. “The situation did make members of my staff and other library patrons uncomfortable.

“I’m appalled that someone would even consider it. It was only one incident, and it was just the idea. We do not allow guns in the library, no firearms or any weapon in the library.”

Lockett wrote back to Frank that any entity of local, state or federal government is “authorized to prohibit the possession of weapons by any person … on property owned, operated or managed … by a government entity. Notice of the prohibition shall be posted. Posted notices shall be displayed in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the building.”

The exception to the rule is for a duly authorized law enforcement officer, who may carry his/her weapon into a library.

For example, the City County Building has a prominently displayed sign at its main entrance saying weapons are prohibited except by law enforcement.

Chief Deputy Law Director Joe Jarret also said “Tennessee law provides that a public library system may ban guns in and on library property provided proper signage is in place alerting citizens to the ban. This is regardless of whether a person has a carry permit.”

As soon as Frank received Lockett’s opinion, signs were posted at all branch libraries.

“The mayor’s office authorized the following: to coincide with City County Building regulations, the possession of firearms or other weapons in any county library facility by any person other than a duly authorized law enforcement officer is prohibited,” Frank said.

Rebecca Ferrar may be reached at 865-342-6357.

(Comments block at the bottom of the page. Lively comments already there, add yours)

But you know what could of keep this from happening? Carry Concealed...

brickmanDan wrote:

GunNut wrote:But you know what could of keep this from happening? Carry Concealed...

concealed or open, the sign will apply for both.

I agree, but if the guy would of carried his gun concealed the people working there would of never seen the gun and the signs would of never went up...

I just wish TN would pass a law you have to carry concealed, but wont be charged with printing, just in case you print every now and then. Just my

About 6 months ago their was a guy carrying his gun out in the open in a store here in Dayton, and he was ask by the store owner to please conceal it because someone went to him and freaked out about him carrying. Well when the owner tried to ask him nicely to conceal his gun. This guy went off on the owner he said theirs no law that says he cant carry open and his door was not posted, So their wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. Well guess what he did do something He called the law had the guy removed from the store and he now has the door posted so we can no longer carry in there at all. Now if the guy was carrying concealed none of this would of ever happened.

brickmanDan wrote:

GunNut wrote:About 6 months ago their was a guy carrying his gun out in the open in a store here in Dayton, and he was ask by the store owner to please conceal it because someone went to him and freaked out about him carrying. Well when the owner tried to ask him nicely to conceal his gun. This guy went off on the owner he said theirs no law that says he cant carry open and his door was not posted, So their wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. Well guess what he did do something He called the law had the guy removed from the store and he now has the door posted so we can no longer carry in there at all. Now if the guy was carrying concealed none of this would of ever happened.

No,you have it wrong. If the guy wouldnt have been an xxxxxxx and respected private property owners request then all would have been fine. Wouldnt it? We dont need more laws, we need chlorine in the gene pool.

But if the guy was carrying concealed this would of never happened right?

I agree we don't need any more laws, but you and I both no that will never happen. I would rather see new laws that help us keep a little bit of our gun rights then to loss them all together.