Tenn. Lawmakers OK Guns In Bars

State Senate Overrides Governor's Veto; 37 States Have Similar Laws

(AP)  Handguns will soon be allowed in bars and restaurants in Tennessee under a new law passed by state legislators who voted to override the governor's veto.

The legislation that takes effect July 14 retains an existing ban on consuming alcohol while carrying a handgun, and restaurant owners can still opt to ban weapons from their establishments.

Thirty-seven other states have similar laws.

The state Senate voted 21-9 on Thursday against Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen's veto, a day after the House also voted 69-27 to override.

They overrode critics, including Bredesen, who said it's a bad idea to have guns and alcohol in close proximity.

Democratic Sen. Doug Jackson, the main sponsor of the bill, said state Safety Department records show handgun permit holders in Tennessee are responsible.

Of the roughly 218,000 handgun permit holders in Tennessee, 278 had their permits revoked last year, records show. Since 2005, state records shows nearly 1,200 people have lost their permits.

Revocations are issued for felony convictions, while permits can be suspended for pending criminal charges or for court orders of protection.

Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, was the only senator to speak against overriding the veto Thursday.

“I believe that we should follow the governor and rethink what we have done,” he said.

The law, which was supported by the National Rifle Association, has been successful in other states, its chief lobbyist said.

“Of those 37 states, not one state has attempted to repeal or amend those statutes because they've been successful,” Chris Cox said.

Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said after Wednesday's House vote that the Democratic governor expected an override when he vetoed the legislation last week.

Following Thursday's Senate vote, Bredesen, who is a gun owner and hunter, reiterated his stance to reporters.

“I still think I'm right,” he said. “I still think that guns in bars is a very bad idea. It's an invitation to a disaster.”

[lost_america]

Hey, I live in Memphis and have CC Permit. It's nice to know I can go to Applebee?s now, have dinner and not have to leave my Glock in the car.

If history holds true the stats of gun crime in bars will not change. Those who do these things do not trouble themselves with a permit.

For me, if it is a place that I feel I might need a gun, I don't go there anyway. Most CC holders I know feel the same way. The last thing any of us want to do is shoot someone.

Any establishment however can place a simple sign on the door and my right to carry in that place is revoked.

The truth is, gun crime by CC permit holders is so rare it boarders on non existent.

[native_warrior_USMC]

I guess I should clarify myself. When I said that people who carry a handgun are more responsible, that was incorrect. What I should have said was "people who have a concealed carry permit/license are more responsible." And if you would've read the entire post, you might've been able to figure that out on you own. But, hey, not everyone is smart so I don't hold it against you. And as far as the Stats go, all it takes is a little research and some simple math to figure it out. So if you really want to know, instead of ASSuming, quit twittering for ten minutes and actually do something productive with your life and go look it up. And make sure you get some help for the simple math.

[G27SEATTLE]

This a recipe for DISASTER! No doubt in my mind.
I'm a CPL (Concealed Pistol License) holder in Seattle. I rarely ever drink and if i do, i DON'T go to bars...especially if i'm driving alone. Yes, i'm boring but i wanna be a responsible gun owner.
Being impaired (alcohol, illegal drugs, medication,etc.) and guns just don't mix very well.
Good luck to that gun owner entering a bar.

[npkppprc]

Good idea lets go back to the Wild West days and have gunfights outside in the street. Never mind they still do it. Hey warrior where did you get your B.S, stats? Gangbangers carry guns how responsible are they? Just because you can get a CCW doesn't mean you are any more responsible than anyone else especially in a bar drinking.

[ToolMangler1]

Posted by erasmus111 at 9:11 PM : Jun 5, 2009


I use to tend bar, and carried a gun, But I don't drink (alcoholic beverages) So your kinda out on a limb here Ma'am ( I also played Billiards (pool) and still do).

[Dgunner]

This one be ok with me if i lived in tennesee. Here in oklahoma we consider every one armed. Since make my day law in 1997 . Home burglaries down 85%. Felony assaults down 90%. Criminal tresspassing neraly unheard of now.Crossing or running down a four foot five strand barbed or fence of any fixed fashion give the citizens right to blow you away. Carjacking nearly obsolete. You can't carry in a bar here not even the bar owner. Most bars that are trouble spots are closed or burned out. Laugh if you want you still can't have my weapon EVER!

[erasmus111]

If a citizen can carry a gun with them everywhere else they go, why not at a bar or restaurant if they are not drinking?

Posted by gunownerdan at 8:46 AM : Jun 5, 2009

So tell me, gunownerdan, how many people do you think go to a bar and don't drink?

[scyouth]

Posted by native_warrior_USMC

So I guess all those guys who blow away their wife and/or kids or the cops knocking at the door are sober hunh? And what the hell is 5x more responsible? Pretty much everyone who uses a gun is or was carrying a concealed weapon, and just because you got a liscence to do so does NOT make me feel any better. I just suggest the next time you play pool in TN you lose on purpose just in case your opponent gets pissed when he gets beat.

God; guns in bars - how ******* stupid.

[native_warrior_USMC]

People continue to amaze me with their stupidity and lack of a thought process. Why is it the people think that those who carry a handgun into a bar all of a sudden be come some raging gun-waving lunitic? Do they not realize that these are the same people who, suprise suprise, DRINK AT HOME WHERE THEY HAVE ALL THEIR WEAPONS????? Don't you think that if these people would have become drunken raging lunitics sooner seeings as how the is no law forbading then from drinking at there home WHERE GUNS ARE??????? People who carry a handgun are statistically 5X more responsible than those that do not. Don't believe me? Look up the stats on how many people with concealed carry permits commit a violent crime VS. those with no concealed carry permit. Actually look something up for once instead of just jumping on the bandwagon.

[MiddleClassWorker]

What could possibly go wrong?

[gunownerdan]

Self Defense...
A-HUMAN-RIGHT.com

[Fatesrider]

US had been consistently higher in homicide rates than most of the Western countries from 1980 ? 2000. It is still higher than all nations without political and social turmoil with the 2008 rate of 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people - Down slightly from the 2007 rate of 6.1. At LEAST 60% of those deaths were by handgun. And people think letting folks carry guns into bars is a good idea? So what if the law says they're not supposed to drink while packing? The law says we're supposed to not drink and drive, too, and we can all see how well THAT'S working out. You can't cure stupid. But you CAN keep those who are from being allowed to carry guns around.

All I know is I'll never to into a bar in any of these 37 states that allow patrons to pack. Like I said, you can't cure stupid, and I never underestimate the power of human stupidity. This legislation is a prime example of that.

[DefendLiberty]

Darwin Award candidate.

[scyouth]

Since when was a drunk gun owner a responsible gun owner. Gun nuts are always saying that criminals don't obey laws - why the **** would anyone obey the no drinking part of this one? How do bar-tenders know the falling down drunk a$$hole in front of him isn't going to shoot him when he refuses to serve him again. Fights over quarters on pool tables are a frequent occurance - throw in a couple of guns and see the sparks fly. Gun control in this country is non-existant, the few laws that do exist have so many loop-holes in them that they're useless. Now we're giving guns to drunks. Amazing.

[handler123]

I am sorry for the people that believe that this is an invitation for disaster. The law still inforces the provision of drinking while carrying a firearm. If people would take time to check into the laws that govern who is legally carrying they would find that these people are put through a background check and are not the type of people to normally be in a bar fight. This will only allow them to go out without having to enter a place where the everyday criminal already has his firearm. Maybe this will deter the bad guys when they want to take advantage of LAW ABIDING CITIZENS.

[gunownerdan]

Bars and restaurants are not crime-free. If a citizen can carry a gun with them everywhere else they go, why not at a bar or restaurant if they are not drinking?
Good for Tennessee for protecting our basic constitutional rights!

[kesac4650]

The hysterics seem to forget that the good guys will always outnumber the bad guys in any social situation. The bad guys have had no hesitation about being armed, especially knowing that all the good guys are disarmed.
This law might just give the criminals pause, by never knowing when their next victim might now be capable of refusing to be the victim.

[antoniof123]

Now we wait for the fun to begin! I can tell you that their are plenty of idiots running around and now in TN there will be plenty of drunk idiots running around with guns in bars.

This is going to provide the news media with plenty of news I can see it coming.

[excop1949]

Time will tell on this, but I doubt it will be a "disaster."
Individual owners can still keep handguns out by choice...and besides, I bet that there were a few handguns in those bars BEFORE this legislation was proposed.

[justsane-2009]

"invitation to a disaster" yeah, that's about right.