Following a contentious board meeting June 15, the Tellico Village Property Owners Association took another step back from a proposed ban on handguns in common areas.

During the board meeting, which was attended by a large number of residents opposed to the ban, the POA said the board would not be voting on the issue until more input from residents was gathered.

According to a letter sent last week, the board has gathered sufficient input to decide the proposed ban should be withdrawn from consideration at next month’s meeting.


“During the June 15 POA board meeting, the board received numerous comments from attendees,” according to the letter. “These comments, along with over 500 emails, texts and phone calls to the board, revealed that a majority of residents oppose any policy restricting the carrying of handguns in Tellico Village.”

With great opposition and the difficulty of enforcement, the board unanimously concluded that enacting a policy barring guns from POA facilities would create more risks than benefits for Village residents and “is, therefore, not the right thing to do.”

The board acknowledged there are a variety of opinions on the subject.

“We received a number of emails advocating some type of handgun restriction in our facilities,” the letter continued. “We do ask that the wisdom many of you expressed of keeping handguns concealed while in POA facilities be passed on to your fellow gun owners.”

The letter urged residents to respect the different opinions expressed at the meeting.

“What makes Tellico Village a great place to live is our mutual respect for each other and our ability to be considerate and mindful of the feelings of our neighbors,” the letter emphasized. “This is what defines the social fabric of our community. We urge you to continue to respect the opinions of every one of our fellow Villagers.”

The letter thanked those who shared thoughts and opinions and apologized for any turmoil caused.

“At this point, we consider this issue closed and do not intend to include it on next month’s meeting agenda,” the letter concluded.

Tellico Village resident Pandora Vreeland, who spoke at the meeting, said the board made the right decision.

“I appreciate their apology and their swift and decisive action after communications from several hundred Villagers,” Vreeland said.

She also said it is important residents do not become complacent with regard to their rights.

“Gun owners have their heads on a swivel when it comes to our Second Amendment rights,” Vreeland said. “Today our rights are again safe in our Village, but we must remain sharp-eyed for any future attempts, from any source, to infringe them.”

Rick Dramm, president of the Conservative Club of Tellico, said the members of the board are to be commended for their diligence as volunteers who invest a lot of their time into the community. He said he believes the POA made the right decision after listening to a large number of residents.

“Loudon County is a Second Amendment sanctuary because its citizens believe it should be that way,” Dramm said.