Lack of thinking
The simple fact that some lawmakers think it’s fine for people to legally carry guns into restaurants that serve alcohol shows the lack of thinking behind a list of gun bills making their way through the legislature.
The only lack of thinking I see is the press and editorial boards who keep telling us that Ruby Tuesday’s, state parks, city parks, and other places are these magical places where we should forbid the carrying of weapons. And:
A provision that says people with permits may carry guns into restaurants where booze is available, as long as they’re not drinking, invites deadly situations.
All of Tennessee’s neighbor states, except North Carolina, allow handgun carry in places that serve alcohol (source). And they don’t experience any sort of substantive increase in deadly situations.
And:
In recent years, Tennessee has adopted gun-carry laws under the belief that this will make people safe and prevent crime. As those laws have been adopted, people are discovering it’s inconvenient when they’re carrying weapons and want to enter places like parks and restaurants.
As someone who has had a weapon stolen from a car parked in front of a restaurant that served alcohol, I would think that the current rules invite more problems.
Update: More from Occupied Nashville.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Virginia doesn’t allow concealed carry in restaurants that serve alcohol. Open carry is allowed. This year, like last, the legislature has passed a bill allowing it. Last year our lying Governor vetoed the bill. As he is now the DNC chair, I expect he will again this year.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
that’s why i said handgun carry not concealed carry.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Texas disallows conceal and carry in businesses that make more than 51% of their profits from the sale of alcohol.
The only restaurants I’ve seen post 51% signs are sports bars and the occasional Taqueria.
Most any place that serves alcohol along with their food is just fine.
No drunken gun fights erupt at Chilli’s. Promise.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
“In recent years, Tennessee has adopted gun-carry laws under the belief that this will make people safe and prevent crime.”
It aint a belief, it’s a FACT. But I guess we cant expect the anti-gun media to bother with facts.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Here’s a thought to help fill in the lack;
Where can you go that alcohol is NOT available? Should I stay out of my house, for example?
“Texas disallows conceal and carry in businesses that make more than 51% of their profits from the sale of alcohol.”
Great. Now I need to see their income statement before I enter the place.
Death by bureaucracy. The criminals must love this.
March 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Where concealed carry is prohibited in Texas, they require the information to be posted prominently. Pure bars must have the 51% sign posted at the entrance where it can be readily seen. What’s comical is the sign at most grocery stores, convenience stores, etc…
It very formally states that is illegal to carry an UNLICENSED handgun within. Also interesting is that you can carry in state and local government buildings unless they are posted. (Includes police departments.)
Also, you can’t carry in school buildings, but it is legal to carry in the parking lots, sidewalks, etc. Just not in the buildings. Makes it easier to pick up your kids or walk your dog…
March 4th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
In Florida, we can carry into restaurants, regardless of alcohol sales. The funny thing is we cannot sit at the bar. We can sit 3 feet from it, just not AT it. We can even have a drink, we just cannot be drunk.
Still haven’t gotten too much of that patented Blood in the Streets™ stuff I hear so much about.
March 4th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
tennessee is under fire with these gun laws, they need to get their act together, and they have put the names of permit holders in the news papers.
I Bullet am sorry