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: 03-30-2007
Mon, 07-06-2009 - 3:09pm
Ohio. They just passed a CCW law. I also live pretty close to where that heavy metal guy was shot and killed in a club. (about a year ago) Sorry his name escapes me. I am very conflicted about guns. I don't like them. But I also know that we will probably never be able to stop criminals from having them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Mon, 07-06-2009 - 3:19pm

The problem isn't the gun (or the knife, or t e basebal bat, or the poison, or the...). The problem is the violent criminal.


Interestingly, the real problem isn't even criminals in general, because a relatively small number of criminals commit an inordinately large number of violent crimes.


So the real challenge is to identify these criminals, stop them from committing crimes, reduce or eliminate the things that made them violent criminals (if possible), and defend ourselves from these criminals. Those are the things we should focus our attention on, not a tool that is used lawfully and safely by over 100 million Americans.

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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: 02-06-2009
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 8:49am

My sister is going to the Burning Man festival in September. I'll warn her about this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2002
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 11:02am
A lot of the folks at Burning Man are fairly naked :0). Your sis probably doesen't have to worry about things being concealed.LOL!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 1:09pm

Guns & alcohol don't mix.


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

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 2:07pm
If she felt safe at Burning Man before, there's nothing in this law that would change that.

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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: 02-06-2009
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 3:51pm
LMAO! really? I didn't know that, lol! She did mention the cool barter system they have. She's going to miss my 30th birthday (bad sister!), so she's promised to bring back the coolest trinket she can find :OD

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2009
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 3:53pm
She's never been to the US, this will be her first time.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Tue, 07-07-2009 - 4:29pm
Her first trip to the US and she's going to Burning Man? LOL! She's certainly going to have an interesting first impression!

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martinisnsushi - living the good life since 1963

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martinisnsushi - the two most important food groups!