AZ moves to allow concealed guns in bars

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
AZ moves to allow concealed guns in bars
57
Sun, 06-28-2009 - 2:12pm

Arizona moves to allow concealed guns in bars


By AMANDA LEE MYERS
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER


PHOENIX -- There was a time in the Wild West that cowboys had to check their guns before they could pull up a bar stool for a drink - rules that protected against the saloon gunfights that came to define the frontier era in places like Arizona.


But a bill moving through the Arizona Legislature has some bar owners fearful that the state is turning back the clock to the Old West. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow anyone with a concealed-weapons permit to bring a handgun into bars and restaurants serving alcohol.


The bill gives bars discretion to keep gun-toting patrons out, and anyone with a weapon would not be allowed to drink. But the bill has angered bar owners who believe booze and guns are a recipe for disaster.  (me:  At least the bar owners will have the discretion to still ban guns in their premises...but 'anyone with a weapon should not be allowed to drink'?  How in the h*ll are they going to enforce that?  Have the waiter/waitress/bartender pat down &/or search the purses/bags of the patrons who order drinks?)


"This might be one of the stupidest things that I have heard of," said Mike Nelson, who owns Pomeroy's bar in Phoenix and plans to post a sign on his front door outlawing guns in his bar as soon as possible. "Can you think of a single reason guns and alcohol should be intertwined?" (me:  Not a single one!  I hope more bar/restaurant owners outlaw guns in their establishments.  It looks like the only way common sense will prevail.)


The bill is part of a nationwide push by the National Rifle Association. Georgia passed a similar law in 2008, as did Tennessee earlier this year in becoming the 40th state to allow bar or restaurant patrons to carry guns. (me:  Ah yes...the good ole boys of the NRA...it figures.)



The law would only apply to people with concealed-weapons permits because lawmakers say that type of gun owner has to pass a background check and take an eight-hour course to get their permits, and are therefore safer. More than 127,000 Arizonans have concealed-weapons permits, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. (me:  Of course!!!  CWP's NEVER lose their temper; NEVER develop drinking/drug problems; etc.  I will say that I feel anyone owning a gun should be required the same courses.)


Arizonans are also allowed to openly carry guns - on a belt or holster, for example. But those people would still not be allowed in bars or restaurants serving alcohol if they're armed.


The bill has been approved by the Senate and is now before the House; Republican Gov. Jan Brewer would still have to OK it.



Peagler, a gun owner himself, said people with concealed-weapons permits aren't people to be concerned about.  (me:  Again...see above.  While they may be LESS likely, there is absolutely NO insurance that they won't snap, etc.  That is the stupidest comment I've heard in awhile.)


"People who carry concealed weapons for the most part are your general law-abiding citizens, and the people who are going to break the law are going to do it no matter what laws we have out there," he said. "If somebody has been drinking and they have a weapon in the car, they're just going to go out and get it." (me:  I agree that if someone is bent on breaking the law, they will.  However, if they have to go somewhere else to get that gun, maybe...just maybe...they might cool down enough to stop & think about it.  Especially if they are one of those 'perfect CWP owners'.)


Frank Murray, owner of Seamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub & Restaurant in downtown Phoenix, said he opposes the law and will prohibit his customers from coming in armed.


"It's kind of like the Wild West days," he said. "We've got enough nuts out on the street walking around with guns. We don't need them in places with alcohol and families."



In May, the House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would permit gun owners to keep a weapon out of sight in a locked vehicle in a parking lot or garage. That would override employers that ban weapons on their property. (me:  So now employers can't even control this?  Seems like an infringement on their rights!)


Last week, a Senate committee approved a bill that would allow Arizonans to carry concealed weapons without state permits, despite objections from law enforcement.  (me:  Well, cross Arizona off my list of places to see.)


Entire article at:  http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1110ap_us_guns_in_bars.html


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2009
Tue, 06-30-2009 - 11:03am

Thank god my state does not, nor ever will, permit the mixing of handguns and liquor.


How do you know your state will never permit this law?


zz

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Tue, 06-30-2009 - 11:26am

Poor choice of words......I don't know that for a fact. But I can hope for that to be the case can't I?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2008
Tue, 06-30-2009 - 6:05pm

I think that allowing guns in bars is ridiculous!
Why don't we just go ahead and extend that to sports arenas and football stadiums, casinos and horse racing facilities... hell, we might as well let people that go into concerts, carry guns. All these places allow alcohol. Lets just allow guns wherever they serve alcohol because alcohol and guns really mix good together! I can't believe that this is really going on in these States. Whatever happened to common sense? Someone, somewhere is really paying a lot of mula to government officials who pass these laws... They should investigate these officials for accepting bribes. I bet many would land in jail.

pepper spray,mace,stun gun,taser,personal alarm,hidden safe,security camera,home protection,self defense products
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Wed, 07-01-2009 - 12:27am

Given that several states already allow concealed carry permit holders to go to restaurants that serve alcohol or bars, there must surely be a basis in fact for all these dire predictions and fears. Anyone have a cite for how much trouble this has been in the states that currently treat CCW permit holders like adults?

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martinisnsushi - living the good life since 1963

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 07-01-2009 - 1:36pm

MY point in the OP...HOW in the H*LL is AZ going to enforce the 'not serving to those carrying concealed weapons'???????


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Wed, 07-01-2009 - 3:00pm

MY point in the OP...HOW in the H*LL is AZ going to enforce the 'not serving to those carrying concealed weapons'???????


The same way they currently enforce laws against carrying into a bar.

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Thu, 07-02-2009 - 1:10pm

Welcome to In The News.


Thanks!


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Sun, 07-05-2009 - 10:18pm

I have to once again point out that many states (including my home state) already allow this and there has been NO increase in violent crimes in or near restaurants that serve alcohol.


I'll also pose the question: The ONLY time a CCW holder is allowed to use (or even display) his weapon is when he is in immediate fear for his life. Are we really going to tell a CCW holder he must die because he had the bad luck to be attacked in or near a restaurant that serves alcohol?


BTW - most states do, in fact, record your CCW status on your driver's license. This does not, however, indicate whether the permit holder is actually carrying at any given time. Its also not necessarily information available to every bartender, cashier, or other person who sees your ID from time to time.

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martinisnsushi - living the good life since 1963

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2007
Mon, 07-06-2009 - 2:21pm

It has been my experience that not everyone that carries a gun is a CCW holder. I knew guys that had been convicted of crimes and still carried. My late husband was in construction. I used to go to a local bar with him. I can think of several guys that came in with a gun. Carried them in their boot.

Also, there used to be this Head Pro Football coach that used to carry a loaded gun with him everywhere he went. Yes, even the stadium, on game day.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Mon, 07-06-2009 - 2:57pm

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!