A ruling from a panel of Tennessee judges last week could have led to less restrictions when it comes to carrying guns at parks and recreation areas.

Now, the state’s attorney general and governor are pushing back against that ruling.

The case has been another test of the limits of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that has allowed gun rights advocates to take aim at more Second Amendment restrictions nationwide. The Tennessee laws that were deemed unconstitutional by the panel of judges include one that generally outlaws carrying a gun in a park or similar area, except for someone with a permit to carry a handgun.
The second law involves the somewhat ambiguous offense of the “intent to go armed,” which includes broad exceptions and legal defenses. Both are misdemeanors. But Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and governor Bill Lee are now appealing that ruling, arguing that it takes away important tools to protect public safety.