Could Legal Opinion Affect Gun Carrying at Riverbend?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WDEF) – 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.

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."

The new Ascend Ampitheater banned guns at Thursday’s opening concert by Eric Church.

The Riverbend Festival and Nightfall Concert series are both events falling under the umbrella of events operated by private groups in public places.

From the Riverbend 2015 Policy Statement:

10. Pets, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, rollerblades, laser pointers or weapons of any kind are not allowed at the Riverbend Festival.