AG: No guns at private schools, school events at church

People can't bring guns to a church, religious entity or private school — even if it is private property — if that property is being used for a school event, according to a new opinion from Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery.

"Under the (law), the statute pertains to property being operated or while in use by any school. The statute does not exclude property of religious institutions or any particular type of school, including parochial schools, from its scope," Slatery writes.

The opinion is the latest in a series of questions about Tennessee gun laws in the wake of a legislative push for new firearms bills, including the new guns-in-parks measure.

Parochial schools or churches that allow the usage of certain buildings for school activities must ban guns on the property while it is being used by a school, Slatery says. The guns are specifically not allowed within the actual facility or area being used for the school activity.

"For example, if a private school were using church grounds to hold a festival encompassing the entire church property, gun possession would be prohibited on the entire grounds. However, if the school were using only a discrete and separate building on church grounds, other portions of the church's property might not fall within the scope of (the law)," Slatery writes.

This is the latest opinion related to gun laws from Slatery. His opinion on the guns-in-parks law drew ire and concern from guns rights advocates and opponents alike.

The opinion said local municipalities can't ban guns at large events or venues, like Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, if those venues are owned by the city or county. Some legal experts thought that opinion could extend as far as not being allowed to ban guns within Nissan Stadium, where the Tennessee Titans play, or Bridgestone Arena, where the Nashville Predators play.

Metro still plans to ban guns at Ascend, Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone. They argue the opinion doesn't accurately reflect the intention of the law.

In Slatery's most recent opinion, he notes that the gun ban doesn't apply to private property being used for home school.

Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, requested the opinion. Lawmakers are expected to address the guns-in-parks law when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

Reach Dave Boucher at 615-259-8892 and on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.