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Eaton requests ability to carry firearms in city hall

Members of the Athens City Council may soon be able to carry firearms into city hall after a recent proposal.

During Monday night’s study session, Vice Mayor Larry Eaton requested the council consider allowing members and the city manager to carry firearms into city hall, including during meetings.

He said that some things people have said have concerned him to the point he feels this is necessary.

“With some of the issues me and the mayor have been going through ... I think it’s” something to consider, Eaton said. “Because of the threats me and the mayor have had in the past and here in the last week, the district attorney is well aware of these things. (Speaking to Council Member Frances Witt McMahan) You know as well as I do because you’ve been cc’d on some of the emails to the attorneys.”

Eaton cited Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 39-17-1359 that “authorized personnel” can be allowed to carry on public premises.

“I think the city council and the city manager ought to be some of the personnel that’s authorized in city hall,” he said.

He noted that he’s aware of five cities in the state that allow council members to carry.

Witt McMahan said she would prefer to hear from the city attorney before making a decision on how to vote on the proposal. Interim City Attorney Bill Buckley was not in attendance Monday night.

“I have not been threatened, but I do think about those things from time to time,” she said. “My concern would be not necessarily one of the five of us, but it does set a precedent. What if you get a crazy councilor?”

Eaton responded that he believes it to be legal based on the TCA code.

“This right here is nothing more than protection for the ones that are already certified (to carry),” he said. “This is something I’ve looked into and studied, it’s not a legal issue.”

Council Member Dick Pelley said he’s not interested in carrying, but isn’t looking to stop it either.

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