Lawmakers play with fire by pushing weapons bill

[mgc1961]

Once again in 2010, forces are working hard to mix alcohol with firearms in a restaurant or bar near you.

Neither state courts nor the weight of public opinion has deterred them in their zeal to pack heat with utter disregard for the bystanders' safety.
Last year, legislators toed the gun lobby's line in voting to allow people with carry permits to bring firearms into any establishment that serves alcohol, provided the individual "does not consume alcoholic beverages.'' Since permit holders are not required to display their guns, how the bar would know to refuse to serve drinks to that customer was never clear.

The legislation — after some arm-twisting — was changed to allow bars and restaurants to opt out by posting signs. This put business owners in the disastrous position of scaring off patrons with ominous signs banning guns, or risking their employees' safety if they did not post signs, which meant they had to allow guns.

More to read at http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100324/OPINION01/3240350/1007/OPINION/Editorial++Lawmakers+play+with+fire+by+pushing+weapons-in-restaurants+bill

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Most states allow carrying guns. Many of them allow those guns in restaurants.

Such states that allow this seem to experience no adverse side effects and in no way degenerate to westerns and warzones.
If it's illegal to drink while carrying there really is nothing to be concerned about. Being "near" beer is pretty harmless.

It all comes down to responsibility. Either people obey the law (no drinking and carrying or driving) or they do not.
This law will change nothing in the way of allowing people to illegally carry or allowing them to drink while carrying.
This law does allow people who obey the law and are responsible to exercise their rights in more places.
The argument of "how will they know" is ultimately specious and irrelevant.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. 'Scaring off patrons with ominous signs banning guns'?

Yeah, signs are scary, but knowing that any one of the patrons at the bar tossing back shots could be carrying ISN'T scary? :crazy:

[mgc1961]

3. I recently went to a local restaurant with some friends.

That particular establishment opted out and had a sign on the door stating weapons were not allowed. The first thing I did after walking in was ask for the manager to pass on my thanks to the owner for doing so. She was grateful for the support after receiving several complaints.

[salguine]

4. yeah, it's the SIGN that's "ominous". Roffle!

[mgc1961]

5. Maryland has the best flag in the Union.

[salguine]

7. I know, it's practically Pop Art! Cool!

[Recursion]

8. Any one of the patrons at the bar could be carrying

Signs don't stop that.

[Cirque du So-What]

9. I'll be sure to store that info in my 'NO SHIT, SHERLOCK!' file

Never in all my born days did such a thing occur to me - that anyone could hide a weapon under their clothing and walk into a place of business. What a concept! Who would have EVAH thought such a thing possible! THANK YOU, Cap'n Obvious, for pointing out such a possibility! If I ever need confirmation that, say, water is wet or the sky is blue, I know who'll I'll turn to for affirmation.

[cowman]

10. If their

tossing back shots while armed, thats BREAKING THE LAW

[Bonhomme Richard]

6. Is it true that in the old west..........

some town sheriffs had cowboys turn in their guns at the town limits and return them when they left because they didn't want a bunch of drunk cowboys shooting up the town?
Just wondering or was that a myth?