Tennessee Senate overrides governor’s veto of guns-in-bars bill

[Ed Barrow]

Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal

State senators today voted to override Gov. Phil Bredesen’s veto of legislation that would let people with handgun-carry permits bring their guns into Tennessee bars and restaurants.

The 22-10 Senate vote sends the measure to the House, where representatives had approved the guns-in-bars bill on a 66-31 vote on May 5.

A simple majority vote is all that is needed to override a veto in Tennessee. The House could take up the matter as soon as next week.

In his May 18 veto message to legislators, Bredesen wrote that he believes “a basic and effective rule of gun safety is one I was first taught at a National Rifle Association-sponsored gun safety class almost 50 years ago: Guns and alcohol don’t mix.”


Read more: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/27/tennessee-senate-overrides-governors-veto-guns--ba/

[Taverner]

1. Although wouldn't the fact the gun carrier was, um, carrying mean he doesn't get served?

I think he or she would have to be the designated driver if they are carrying

Again its CONCEAL and carrying, so he gun owner is under no obligation to tell the bartender they do have a gun...

[gorfle]

8. Unlikely they would drink.

CCW permit holders are among the most law-abiding citizens in the nation. They are many times, sometimes hundreds of times less likely to be involved in crimes than non-CCW permit holders. These are people who have gone out of their way to abide by the bureaucracy and laws concerning carrying a firearm. These people know that it is still illegal to carry a concealed firearm while intoxicated. It is highly unlikely that they will break the law and drink while carrying a concealed weapon.

What this law really does is allow people to carry firearms in restaurants that happen to serve alcohol without having to leave their firearms unattended in their cars.

[Taverner]

12. That's my thought, however these questions have to be asked

Also has to be asked - all it takes is once for the perfectly law-abiding citizen who holds the CCW to break the rule, drink, alter their thinking and do something unthinkable.

However, this could (and would more likely) happen at home, where there is no bartender, and would have the same result. And taking guns away from everyone would just make the problem worse.

[slackmaster]

15. The person carrying concealed IS under a legal obligation not to consume alcohol

Again its CONCEAL and carrying, so he gun owner is under no obligation to tell the bartender they do have a gun...

I'm not familiar with the specifics of TN law, but it may be illegal for him to display the weapon or disclose that he is carrying it unless he needs to.

[Zoeisright]

2. There's one more state I won't be visiting.

[gorfle]

9. Pretty soon...

Pretty soon you are not going to have any states to visit, except maybe California.

[DBoon]

3. file under "what could possibly go wrong" (nt)

[daleo]

4. Drink some shooters

Then shoot some drinkers.

Yes, guns and alcohol don't mix.

[elfin]

5. Ooooh - Guns, Booze and Bar fights -- Fun fun fun eom

[gorfle]

6. It is already illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated.

It is already illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated.

Nothing has changed in this regard.

All this says is that if I want to go eat dinner in an establishment that happens to serve alcohol I don't have to leave my firearm in my car.

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. why does anyone need to carry a gun?

Ok, you're visiting New York or Chicago and you get lost and have a flat tire and its night. How many times is that going to happen?

Why do you need a gun in a bar?
In a restaurant?
In a grocery store?
On the street?

Sorry but speaking as a 'naive' Canadian where guns (especially in an urban environment) just are not a part of our culture, it seems astoundingly stressful and dangerous way of living when you don't know who is packing heat and who isn't when you are going about your day to day business.

I can understand non-automatic rifles for hunting, and even a gun at home, locked away unloaded, for protection, but carrying them around in public? That concept is just so foreign to us up here, and I'm glad it is.

[LiberalFighter]

10. How many drive in NYC?

[provis99]

18. Canada has more long guns per capita than the U.S.

You wanna retract that guns are not a part of your culture bit?

[cowman]

19. I'll have to check with the Dept. of Need

Oh wait, there is no Dept. of Need.

[totodeinhere]

11. This is a good idea.

Then if you don't like your service you can just shoot the waiter or waitress. Of if the food is bad you can take out the entire kitchen staff.

[catnhatnh]

13. I'll address to the thread rather than any of several posters...

I could address directly. About 10 years back an Uncle of mine killed a friend of mine in a bar when they fumbled the weapon between themselves and it dropped to the floor. My Uncle was in his 50's, the guy in his 30's and both had BACs but neither was "intoxicated". But one wound up dead and the other wound up ruined. The young guy had a wife and two young children. I've never spoken to my Uncle since.

It's a BAD law...

[jody]

14. There must be more to your story than two people being incredibly negligent when handling a firearm.

Otherwise the law in the OP has nothing to do with the incident involving your relatives.

[catnhatnh]

16. No-you are quite wrong.

The incident was EXACTLY about what can happen in a bar EVEN when nobody was legally intoxicated.

[jody]

17. Then the law cited in the OP has no bearing on your incident. n/t

[The Second Stone]

20. Dick Cheney says guns and booze do mix

and he aims those words at his buddy Wittington. Or whatever what's his faces' name is.