Police and other trained law enforcement officers are welcome in restaurants and bars. Law enforcement are trained to use firearms in crowded public places. You need absolutely no such training to obtain a gun carry permit. That's the problem with allowing guns in bars.
A recent tragic incident reminds us of precisely why guns in bars is such a bad idea. Even trained law enforcement can make mistakes with guns.
The sad story involves a former father of a 2 year old that was accidentally shot by a police officer. On his way home from a late shift at work, the man was driving on the wrong side of the road and nearly hit a police officer. He apparently panicked, fled and crashed his car off the highway. With gun drawn, the officer made his way on foot to the car, but slipped on some loose rocks and accidentally fired his gun into the air. Another officer thought the father was shooting at the officer, and shot and killed the father. The unarmed father will never see his daughter again. The story is here.
Untrained citizens have no business carrying guns in crowded places like restaurants and bars.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Political Guns Games
Up on the Hill, where some Legislators are convinced that guns belong in our restaurants, bars and venues, end of the session politics is underway. In the House today (Tuesday April 27), the gun bill was deferred until Thursday.
Last week, the House bill was amended to require places that sell less than 50% food to post a sign saying guns could not be brought into the establishment. According to The Tennessean, the amendment was offered by Representative Tindell so legislators could "keep their word from a year ago, when they said they would deliver a bill that would allow guns in restaurants, but not bars." Read the story at The Tennessean.
Problem is, posting a sign that says you sell less than 50% food is a red flag to the Tennessee ABC that the business does not qualify for a liquor license. Contrary to popular belief, there are no bars under the Tennessee liquor laws. Only restaurants. Over the past few months, the ABC has been targeting bars that do not sell enough food, suspending licenses for 90 days. 90 days without liquor is pretty much a death sentence to most bars. Read more at my liquor and beer blog, Last Call.
Legislators seem to ignore two of the simplest improvements to the gun bill. One is to allow businesses to opt in. If a business owners wants to allow guns, the owner can post a sign. Gun carry proponents fear that too few sane business owners would welcome gun carriers into a place that serves alcohol.
The second simple improvement is to fix the opt out sign. Currently, the law requires posting a large wordy sign to ban guns. Everyone is familiar with universal red slash circle signs. The law could easily allow business owners to prohibit guns by posting the universal no gun symbol. But this would be way too easy.
Look for more political games. Chas Sisk of The Tennessean quoted sponsor Rep. Todd today on his politics blog: “There’s always a game plan.” Check back for more as the legislative session wraps up.
Last week, the House bill was amended to require places that sell less than 50% food to post a sign saying guns could not be brought into the establishment. According to The Tennessean, the amendment was offered by Representative Tindell so legislators could "keep their word from a year ago, when they said they would deliver a bill that would allow guns in restaurants, but not bars." Read the story at The Tennessean.
Problem is, posting a sign that says you sell less than 50% food is a red flag to the Tennessee ABC that the business does not qualify for a liquor license. Contrary to popular belief, there are no bars under the Tennessee liquor laws. Only restaurants. Over the past few months, the ABC has been targeting bars that do not sell enough food, suspending licenses for 90 days. 90 days without liquor is pretty much a death sentence to most bars. Read more at my liquor and beer blog, Last Call.
Legislators seem to ignore two of the simplest improvements to the gun bill. One is to allow businesses to opt in. If a business owners wants to allow guns, the owner can post a sign. Gun carry proponents fear that too few sane business owners would welcome gun carriers into a place that serves alcohol.
The second simple improvement is to fix the opt out sign. Currently, the law requires posting a large wordy sign to ban guns. Everyone is familiar with universal red slash circle signs. The law could easily allow business owners to prohibit guns by posting the universal no gun symbol. But this would be way too easy.
Look for more political games. Chas Sisk of The Tennessean quoted sponsor Rep. Todd today on his politics blog: “There’s always a game plan.” Check back for more as the legislative session wraps up.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Guns with Liquor One Step Closer to Law
Tuesday April 13, 2010, Guns with Liquor moved one step closer to becoming law. Supporters say this law is clear. If you can order a drink, you can bring your gun.
So exactly where will you be able to tote you six shooter?
Titans Ravens game. Bring your gun.
Bristol Motor Speedway. Yup.
Memphis in May. Check.
Snoop Dog and 50 Cent come-back tour at Bridgestone Arena. Bring lots of guns.
In fact, if you can order a beer, a glass of wine or a drink at a place, you can bring your gun if you have a carry permit. Unless the place posts a no guns sign.
But not a simple no guns sign. The universal no guns circle with a cross through a gun does not work under the law. It has to be a large sign in ALL CAPS that no one really wants to post on their front door.
The cumbersome sign requirements are intentional. The gun folks don't want anyone to post legal no carry signs. The law could easily specify that the discrete no guns symbol could ban folks from carrying guns. But no, that would be too simple to opt out.
The new law certainly resolves the issues the Court had with the existing law. The new law is very clear. If you can order a drink, you can bring your gun.
Its easy to understand. But a really bad idea.
So exactly where will you be able to tote you six shooter?
Titans Ravens game. Bring your gun.
Bristol Motor Speedway. Yup.
Memphis in May. Check.
Snoop Dog and 50 Cent come-back tour at Bridgestone Arena. Bring lots of guns.
In fact, if you can order a beer, a glass of wine or a drink at a place, you can bring your gun if you have a carry permit. Unless the place posts a no guns sign.
But not a simple no guns sign. The universal no guns circle with a cross through a gun does not work under the law. It has to be a large sign in ALL CAPS that no one really wants to post on their front door.
The cumbersome sign requirements are intentional. The gun folks don't want anyone to post legal no carry signs. The law could easily specify that the discrete no guns symbol could ban folks from carrying guns. But no, that would be too simple to opt out.
The new law certainly resolves the issues the Court had with the existing law. The new law is very clear. If you can order a drink, you can bring your gun.
Its easy to understand. But a really bad idea.
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