Resolution that would encourage Jackson resturant owners to post signage prohibiting firearms
Please be aware that Jackson City Councilman Ernest Brooks, II, is sponsoring a resolution that would encourage Jackson restaurant owners to post signage prohibiting firearms. These is in response to the newly passed restaurant carry bill for the state of Tennessee. Please call or write Mr. Brooks as well as your City Councilman and ask them to immediately kill this proposal. Also please contact news media and express your concern. Be listening and watching for any news reports so you can make you opinion known in editorials or on the air.
In response to the passage of the “Guns in Restaurants” Bill and in an effort to provide for the safety and welfare of the general public, City Councilman Ernest Brooks, II sponsors the following resolution encouraging all property owners of restaurants that serve intoxicating liquors to post signs prohibiting firearms to be presented to the full council for vote during the July meeting of the Jackson City Council.
RESOLUTION
JACKSON CITY COUNCIL
Whereas, the State Legislature recently approved House Bill 962 and Senate Bill 1127 thereby amending Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, relative to firearms; and
Whereas, the newly adopted legislation allows individuals with handgun-carry permits to bring a firearm into a restaurant, or an age-restricted venue as described in Section 39-17-1802, as long as said individual is not consuming beer, wine or any alcoholic beverage within the confines of the restaurant; and
Whereas, property owners desiring to ban persons from carrying firearms into restaurants or age-restricted venues pursuant to House Bill 962 and Senate Bill 1127 are allowed to do so by posting notices on such property prohibiting firearms; and
Whereas, the Jackson City Council has determined that this legislation will significantly and detrimentally impact the safety and well-being of the citizens of Jackson and visitors to Jackson; and
Whereas, the Jackson City Council encourages all property owners of restaurants and other such places provided for in the legislation that serve beer, wine or any alcoholic beverage to post signs prohibiting firearms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jackson City Council that property owners of restaurants and age-restricted venues that serve beer, wine or any other alcoholic beverage are encouraged to post signs on such property prohibiting firearms.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the posted notices shall follow the requirements as provided for in Section 39-17-1359 which stipulates that such signage shall be in English or also posted in any language used by patrons who frequent the place where weapon possession is prohibited; additionally, the notice may also include the international circle and slash symbolizing the prohibition of the item within the circle; the sign shall be of a size that is plainly visible to the average person entering the building, premises or property.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that posted notices shall contain language similar to that provided for in the above-referenced section of the Tennessee Code which reads as follows: Pursuant to Section 39-17-1359, the owner/operator of this property has banned weapons on this property, or within this building or this portion of this building. Failure to comply with this prohibition is punishable as a criminal offense under State Law and may subject the violator to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500)
Ernest Brooks, II
Jackson City Council
District Three
In response to the passage of the “Guns in Parks” Bill and in an effort to provide for the safety and welfare of the general public, especially children, City Councilman Ernest Brooks, II sponsors the following ordinance establishing “gun free” zones in the city parks of Jackson, TN to be presented to the full council for vote during the July meeting of the Jackson City Council.
AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION ________ PROHIBITING PERSONS FROM POSSESSING A HANDGUN WITHIN OR ON A PUBLIC PARK, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NATURAL AREA, HISTORIC PARK, NATURE TRAIL, CAMPGROUND, FOREST, GREENWAY, WATERWAY, OR OTHER SIMILAR PUBLIC PLACE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE CITY OF JACKSON OR INSTRUMENTALITY THEREOF
Whereas, the State Legislature recently passed House Bill 716 and Senate Bill 976, allowing persons possessing a handgun, who are authorized to carry such handgun pursuant to Section 39-17-1351, while within or on public park, wildlife management area, natural area, historic park, nature trail, campground, forest, greenway, waterway, or other similar public place that is owned or operated by the state, county, a municipality or instrumentality thereof; and
Whereas, the legislation further allows persons possessing a handgun, who are authorized to carry such handgun pursuant to Section 39-17-1351, while within or on property designated by the federal government as a national park, forest, preserve, historic park, military park, trail or recreation area, to the extent permitted by federal law.
Whereas, HB 716 and SB 976 provides that by majority vote of its legislative body, any municipality or county may elect to prohibit persons authorized to carry a handgun pursuant to Section 39-17-1351, from possessing such handgun while within or on a public park that is owned or operated by a county, a municipality or instrumentality thereof and applies to the entire park.
Section 1. Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained By the City Council of the City of Jackson, That Chapter ______ is hereby amended to add a new Section to read as follows:
Section ___ Firearms on City of Jackson Park Property Prohibited
It shall be unlawful for any person authorized to carry a handgun pursuant to Section 39-17-1351, from possessing such handgun while within a City of Jackson owned or operated park.
(a) Violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Section 2. Be it Further Ordained, that the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby severable. If any of these sections, provisions, sentences, clauses, phrases or parts are held unconstitutional or void, the remainder of this Ordinance shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 3. Be It Further Ordained By the Council of the City of Jackson that this Ordinance shall take effect from and after the date it shall have been passed by the Council and become effective as otherwise provided by law.
Ernest Brooks, II
Jackson City Council
District Three