Below Release from the The Tennessee Firearms Association (Verbatim):
The Tennessee Firearms Association today expressed disappointment in Governor Haslam's continuing anti-Second Amendment rhetoric regarding the upcoming guns-in-parks bill pending in the Tennessee Legislature.
From WGNS: In 2009, guns were officially banned in "parks" operated by the City of Murfreesboro.
When he ran for Governor, Bill Haslam promised the Tennessee Firearms Association's members in an open, video taped meeting that he was very supportive of the Second Amendment. He further announced at that video taped meeting that he would even sign a "constitutional carry" law into effect if he became governor. Looking back, however, Governor Haslam has not asked that a constitutional carry bill be passed nor has he generally been viewed as being even remotely supportive of Second Amendment initiatives.
Senate Bill 1496, (SB1496) which comes up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, would restore Second Amendment protections to permit holders in all city and county parks, including all local greenways, in Tennessee. The result would be that handgun permit holders would be able to carry without fear of criminal prosecution in all federal, state and local parks in Tennessee.
However, Governor Haslam has made recent comments concerning the bill showing his opposition to removing the local government infringements of the Second Amendment in city and county parks for individuals who can legally carry firearms.