In my town of Franklin, Tenn., a major kerfuffle is in full brew over the upcoming commemoration of 1864’s Battle of Franklin, where the Confederacy lost the battle and its last chance to regain the initiative in the western theater.

At issue is this report, dated yesterday, of Mayor Tom Miller’s new p0licy for next month’s commemoration:

Franklin Mayor Tom Miller says he does not want Confederate flags to be flown during a commemoration of the upcoming 1864 Battle of Franklin anniversary.

Calling the flag an “anathema” to some, Miller said his decision would likely be criticized by others.

The ceremony would also be without antique rifles because of concerns expressed by Police Chief Jackie Moore regarding safety.

Then, this morning the Tennessean reported, “Rebel flag, guns not wanted at battle event - Franklin officials cite safety and sensitivity

A Confederate battle flag and the crack of rifle fire were two of the sights and sounds Civil War soldiers faced 140 years ago.

Yet top Franklin officials contend those things, each fraught with modern symbolism and conflicts, should not be present during a Nov. 30 ceremony to commemorate those killed during the 1864 Battle of Franklin.

Mayor Tom Miller is urging that a color guard planned for the event not fly the Confederate flag. Police Chief Jackie Moore wants re-enactors to keep their rifles away from the ceremony.

“In the strongest terms possible, let me suggest that flag not appear,” Miller told officials Monday night during a committee meeting to approve funding for the event.

Afterward, Miller acknowledged he might face criticism.

But he said he wants to avoid controversy that might come from flying the flag.

Moore said he wants to keep rifles away because of security issues.

“I do have serious concerns about the safety and our being able as a police department to vouch that firearms used and borne in this event are safe,” Moore said.

Frankly, to quote Shakespeare, “the whole thing smelleth.” The controversy that the mayor’s heavy-handed commands (for commands is what they were, not pleas) have engendered is already magnitudes greater than any that might possibly arisen because of the flags themselves. As for the police chief’s claims that his department won’t be able to vouch for the safety of the re-enactors guns - just why does he think that is his problem? When I go the the trap range there is no cop there to check my shotgun.

Let it be noted that this kind of event has been held before - not every year, but once in awhile. They featured the flags and period firearms without controversy or safety issues and while the battle itself was very bloody, the commemorations with their antique guns, Confederate flags and all, have been decidedly un-lethal. So we once again have government providing a solution in search of a problem. Or, perhaps more accurately, we have power reaching by government officials, untrusting of the people.

However, Mayor Miller spent some time this morning on a local talk/call-in radio show, where he either (a) backpeddled like crazy, or (b) corrected the reporting on what he actually edicted. Let’s deal with the easy one first. Miller said that “antique guns” (meaning Civil War-type muskets used by re-enactors) are not banned, but that the police will make sure they are safe for use. Apparently, Chief Moore and Mayor Miller are worried that someone might load a real Minie ball and shoot somebody. I guess. Although how the police will try to check every rifle every time it is reloaded is beyond me. This is simply more “guns are inherently dangerous” nonsense.

As for the Confederate flag, hizzoner said that it is “absolutely not true” that the Confederate flag will be forbidden. Sort of. Miller said the CSA’s battle flag will be prohibited, but its “official flag” will be permitted. Presumably, Miller means the “Stars and Bars’” “Stainless Banner” flag will be required, if any CSA flag is to be flown (new info, 10/5). So:

This is strictly verboten!

And this is is required!

Black and white members of Franklin’s Battlefield Task Force that designed the ceremony, as well as re-enactors, politicians and others, fired back at Miller’s suggestion to keep flags away.

“If you’re doing a ceremony where you’re honoring men of two sides and you do away or ban the symbolism of one side, what does that do?” asked committee member Robin Hood, who said he dislikes how the Confederate flag has been used by hate groups who have “sort of kidnapped that flag” for their own uses. But erasing it from the event will cause only more problems, he feared.

Pearl Bransford, a longtime resident and committee member, supported the group’s plan because it presents both sides of the fighting — and is a reminder of that war’s hard-won, bloody lessons.

“Don’t be afraid to talk about the Civil War,” said Bransford, who is black. “It had a lot of ugliness in it. Out of that ugliness came freed people. There were people in bondage. … The Civil War freed me and my people. If it wasn’t for the Civil War, I would be somebody’s slave. And those days are over.”

As for the guns, Police Chief Moore said that “Weapons, no matter what age they are, were designed in such a manner as to kill human beings.” And, of course, any peaceable, gentle, wouldn’t-harm-a-flea soul who picks up a Springfield Armory musket is Hulk-like transformed into a raging mass murderer, I suppose. Listen, I served with two law-enforcement agencies for a total of almost 10 years. Here’s the typical police view of the citizens’ right to bear arms: they shouldn’t have it. And the higher in cop hierarchy you go, the more entrenched this belief is. Cops don’t want anyone to have guns but cops, even 140-year old guns.

Instead of re-enactors carrying rifles or firearms during the ceremony, Moore wants attendees to stack the arms beforehand outside the public square.

Moore’s recommendation left Franklin Alderman Dana McLendon incredulous.

“They’re six feet long and 200 years old,” exclaimed McLendon. “We’re not talking about people walking around with Glocks and AK (47)s.”

Okay, they’re 150 years old or so, at least by design if not actual date of manufacture. And there the issue sits. As they say, it’s “developing…”

Update: It gets much worse.