Armed, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son

[Kolesar]

COMMENTARY
On guns in bars, state lawmakers defy logic, safety
"Armed, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son."

It's not quite the way fans of the movie Animal House remember Dean Wormer's line, but a commentator on the Web site Think Progress used it appropriately to sum up the lunacy of Ohio's lawmakers.

Any day now, the geniuses in the General Assembly will sign off on legislation that allows hidden weapons in bars and other establishments that serve alcohol, so long as the one packing heat doesn't imbibe. How anyone would enforce that provision in a crowded bar that doesn't pat down patrons before they start drinking is unclear.

Also a mystery to most Ohioans is why the Republican-controlled Statehouse is so committed to promoting broader gun rights when more urgent issues need to be resolved. It's safe to say that expanding public venues for concealed-carry enthusiasts is not on the top 10 list of concerns of ordinary citizens preoccupied with expenses that galloped past incomes eons ago.
http://www.toledoblade.com/MarilouJohanek/2011/05/26/On-guns-in-bars-state-lawmakers-defy-logic-safety.html

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With Polls Showing 80% Of Ohio Voters Opposed Gov. Kasich Signs Guns In Bars Bill

Even though The Ohio Restaurant Association, The Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, The Fraternal Order of Police and 80% of Ohio voters were opposed, Governor John Kasich on Thursday signed into law a bill that allows gun owners in the state to carry concealed weapons into bars and other places where alcohol is served.

The measure, which was forwarded to Kasich on June 22 by the Ohio General Assembly, was signed on Thursday afternoon. Kasich is scheduled to sign the Ohio budget later Thursday.

Businesses can ban concealed weapons on their premises for safety reasons if the want to and some, like the Cincinnati Bengals football team, have indicated they will continue to bar gun owners from bringing firearms into the stadium.

The law also prohibits gun owners from consuming alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they carry their weapons into bars.

The new laws allow residents to carry concealed handguns into licensed establishments in the state, including shopping malls and sporting venues.

The new law also allows a person with a concealed carry license to transport a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle without securing it in a holster, case, bag or box -- and allows them to remove a handgun from a secure location

http://www.progressohio.org/blog/2011/07/with-polls-showing-80-of-ohio-voters-opposed-gov-kasich-signs-guns-in-bars-bill.html

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What strikes me as especially stupid is that people can carry firearms into sports arenas. There is no way that one could use a handgun in a sports stadium without risking the life of an innocent bystander. There is no need for this. The arena and ballpark in Cleveland have a huge amount of Cleveland police on hand.

[Maeve]

1. Kasich doesn't care what you think, he knows best!!!

so shut up and sit down!! :eyes:
Seriously, I wouldn't trust this guy as far as I could comfortably spit a rat--he thinks 'negotiate' means 'use blackmail' and 'win at any cost' is the only way to rule...er, govern. No, I was right the first time---rule.

[The Big Vetolski]

2. Even in the Old West, patrons were required to check their guns in

at the door. About the only thing more dangerous than mixing guns and alcohol is texting while driving. And the same legislature voted that one DOWN a few months ago!

The majority of our legislators, and the governor, appear to be dangerously insane.

[ladym55]

3. But our legislators will be safe!

I heard on NPR a few days ago that the Capitol is adding a bar/lounge for our legislators. (It will SO simplify meeting with lobbyists!!!)

However, our legislators will NOT have to deal with guns and alcohol ... because the bar is in the State House, no weapons permitted. Apparently what is okay for the people of Ohio isn't safe for our precious legislators and their lobbyist pals.