NASHVILLE (AP) — An attorney general’s opinion says private organizations
can’t prevent licensed handgun permit holders from taking weapons into
events the groups operate at public parks.

The Tennessean reports the opinion said under a new state law, local
governments can’t prohibit permit holders from taking handguns to parks and
therefore can’t delegate the authority to anyone else.

Organizers of events at Nashville’s new Ascend Amphitheater and next
year’s Memphis in May celebration have told The Tennessean they planned to
ban guns. But the attorney general’s opinion Wednesday seems to say they’re
not allowed to ban guns carried by legally licensed permit holders.

This same ruling applies to city and county parks and amp theaters in
Jackson Madison County

Senate Democratic Leader Lee Harris of Memphis, who opposed the new law
and requested the opinion, says he’s speaking to others about the opinion
and believes it could have “negative implications across the state.”