Collierville Says Yes to Guns in Parks

In Collierville parks Tuesday afternoon, residents are talking about what went down inside Town Hall Monday night.

Michelle Conway says, "I kinda have mixed feelings about it."

A vote of 3 to 2 shot down a resolution that would ban gun's from town parks. Jimmy Lott cast the deciding vote.

Lott says, "I'm going to vote no."

The decision striking down the resolution will now allow those with carry permits to carry legally in town parks starting September 1st.

Jared Adams says, "I think it's a good idea it's gonna make things a whole lot safer around here people need protection."

After the highly emotional debate, both sides spoke out.

Fred Robertson says, "I feel much safer now that we have the permission from our town board of alderman to carry weapons in parks. I feel much safer."

Joy Sutherland says, "I just don't think parks are the place for guns."

With more than 30 taking the podium inside Town Hall against the resolution, only three spoke publicly for it.

But Michelle Conway, who's expecting later this year, says while she's a gun owner herself the new law just doesn't make sense for safety.

Conway says, "As much as I'm an advocate for guns to have the right to protect yourself if necessary, I just don't see them necessary in a public park with children around."

But on the other side of the sidewalk Jared Adams who doesn't have a carry permit says the law makes perfect sense, and the parks of Collierville will be safer because of it.

Adams says, "It's gonna make me feel a whole lot safer for me and my family or friends who ever I'm with."