Bill would allow guns where alcohol is served...

[cynatnite]

Packing heat in places that serve alcohol may soon be legal in parts of our region. The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would allow people with handgun permits to carry their weapon into restaurants and bars that serve alcohol. However, gun carriers would not be allowed to consume alcohol. Your Tri-Cities News Source wanted to know how people of the tri feel about the proposed legislation. News Channel 11's Melinda Perkins found out it is sparking controversy.

"You just don't know where you're going to be when trouble happens to find you," Aaron Henley said. Henley is a firearms enthusiast and handgun safety instructor. He abides by strict rules when carrying a weapon.

snip:
"You can't carry a gun anywhere if you've been consuming alcohol, regardless of of a law allowing you to carry in a bar," Henley said.

Still, some local law enforcement officials say alcohol and guns are not a good combination under any circumstance.

"You could have a room full of folks pulling out weapons; some consuming alcohol, some may not be. It's very, very dangerous," Carter County Sheriff Chris Mathes said.

http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/search.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2008-01-09-0038.html

[Turbineguy]

1. Sounds like a Liberal Conspiracy

to wipe out dumb republican voters to me.

[Bicoastal]

2. I'm fairly drunk right now.

After reading this story, if I had a gun on me, I would totally shoot my computer screen.

Alcohol + Guns = Bad Idea.

[shadowknows69]

8. Elvis would have shot his computer screen.

If they had personal computers back then. My TV is going first.

[NanceGreggs]

3. Okay, here's how crazy things are around here ...

... or, conversely, how crazy I've become.

I saw the thread title and thought this was another Hillary-bashing post, this time alleging that no one should support her because of her husband's desire to allow shotguns in bars.

:eyes:

[shadowknows69]

9. Election kind of infiltrates the mind doesn't it Ms. Greggs?

Candidates are starting to pop up in my dreams where it should be people like Drew Barrymore.B-)

[Perry Logan]

11. Swear to God, Nance, I had exactly the same reaction. Must calm down.

In our defense--you really never know what they're gonna say next about Bill and/or Hillary.

[Swamp Rat]

4. R u lookin' at muh girlfrind? ... hic.

BANG BANG BANG!!!

[shadowknows69]

13. Thanks for that one Swampy

I needed a good out loud laugh today. :toast:

[pipoman]

5. CCW holders are by nature law abiding citizens

I don't see any problem with this. It sounds like currently there may be a provision in the current CCW statute which prohibits carrying into places which serve alcohol even restaurants. Many people go to restaurants which serve alcohol and do not drink, I for one rarely if ever drink in a restaurant. This provision in the law tells criminals that 'no law abiding citizens will be able to defend themselves in there' thus making places that serve alcohol a target. I would guess if the staff notice a patron drinking and carrying a gun that person can have their CCW revoked.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Likely future scenario:

You're a bartender. A patron with a firearm requests a drink. Are you going to say no? And if you do, did you pay this month's premium on your life insurance?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Current scenario:

You're a bartender. A patron requests a drink. You have no idea whether or not she has a firearm. Are you going to say no? And if you do, did you pay this month's premium on your life insurance?

[michreject]

15. Bullshit

Carrying a gun into places that serve alcohol is legal in many states and your scenario hasn't happened yet.

[MiniMe]

10. Is Dick Cheney hunting in Tennessee?

[jakem]

12. but why is this dangerous?

drunks cant shoot straight?!

:doireallyneedtotagthis?:

[MadHound]

14. If I was a bar or restraunt owner, I would post a no guns sign

And have a metal detector at the door to back it up. Alcohol and guns simply don't mix.

[michreject]

16. I can ignore the sign in Michigan

The state tells me where I can carry and I do go into places where booze s sold by the glass.

[I work for workers]

23. So what are you going to do, frisk every person with keys in their pocket?

I suspect your establishment would be out of business rather quickly.

[Virginia Dare]

17. We're way ahead of y'all here in Virginia..

we've been able to pack heat in bars for a while.

[pleah]

18. Yee Haw! Let the old west gun fights begin.

[mvccd1000]

19. Like they have in all the states that already allow that?

Oh, wait.... they haven't! Oh, well - never let facts get in the way of a good knee-jerk reaction. :)

[distantearlywarning]

20. In the town where I grew up, there was

a combination gun/bait/liquor store. It had a drive-thru window. It was a block up the street from a head shop.

Such is life in the wild, wild libertarian west.

I don't recall hearing much about about that store from anybody. Nobody seemed to care much (not about the head shop either). It didn't seem to create social problems like you might imagine from the description.

[aikoaiko]

21. Thats a good legal change.

People who go to the trouble of getting concealed weapons permits/licenses rarely use their guns to commit violence.

[LanternWaste]

22. Since I avoid both drunks and gun enthusiasts, this works well for me

Since I avoid both drunks and gun enthusiasts, this works well for me... keeps them more centralized and easier to avoid in the places I wouldn't visit anyways...

[-..__...]

24. Is there a problem with this?

Even in MA CCW holders are allowed to carry in establishments that serve alcohol.

[benEzra]

25. Many states allow carry by authorized persons in ordinary restaurants...

as long as the person carrying is not drinking--and the real issue here isn't about carry in bars, but about licensed carry in restaurants with a wine list.