Tennessee Lawmakers Allow Guns In Bars

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — 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.

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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."

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Read HB0962 at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov

Comments

[publius1]

This is just nonsensical. If you still can't drink and carry a handgun, why would you want to go to a bar? Clearly these people have no intention of honoring that law.

Also, no shotguns or rifles in bars! Unconstitutional!

[timthemedic]

Do your bars force you to drink? I DD all the time, and haven't been forced to drink yet. Maybe you need to look into other bars and/or hobbies if you cannot go into one without drinking.

[Gidster]

Guns and booze....Let us know haw that works out for you guys in TN!

[timthemedic]

According to the law, they will not mix. It has been, and still is, illegal to carry while drinking.

[jnw0811]

Good thing its not illegal to drink and drive. . .oh, wait. . .

[lvdragonlady]

One way to control the population.

[calgary]

If that's the case, I should be able to carry my gun in court, in airplanes, and at the Whitehouse.

[protagonia]

And be felled where you stand.

[timthemedic]

What is your rationale? Please explain how you can connect being able to carry a gun in a bar while sober, with carrying a gun in the White House.

Nice logic BTW.

[GarthR]

It is time to eliminate gun restrictions in the Tennessee Legislature. Reasoned debate is not working there, maybe gunfights will.

[Nitehawk]

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

That's because they weren't allowed in a bar with a gun until you made it legal, you inbreed piece of{Censored}

[revhatchell]

enjoy the tennessee nightlife!

ooooh I, I love the nightlife
I got to boogie
on the disco 'round, oh yea
oh, I love the-

wait a second, can you hold my gun while i dance?

[ThomasPaineWeNeedYou]

I give it six months or three deaths which ever comes first.

[memphisviking]

Don't count on it. Just last month, a man was convicted of 2nd degree murder for a killing at a karaoke bar in Memphis last year. He shot two men, one died. It was big news -- the shooter was an off-duty Shelby County sheriff's deputy.

[factotem]

Ah but you forget! Conservatives can never admit they were wrong. I say 8 years at least.

[jelly450]

Guns & booze all need now is hookers and gambling then we will really have a good time!

[kwinter]

I would much rather see legal "hookers and gambling" in bars than legal guns.

[catbutt]

As a bartender, I know that guns and bars DON'T MIX.

The simple fact: Anybody can become an a@@hole if they drink enough. AND Drunk a@@holes don't need guns.

[timthemedic]

Hey um, catbutt, I agree, as does the TN legislature.

In case you missed it, here is what the above article says about "Drunk a@@holes" not needing guns: "The legislation that takes effect July 14 retains an existing ban on consuming alcohol while carrying a handgun"

[Niasia]

Drinking and driving don't mix. Drinking and guns shouldn't either! Pretty simple and easy to get that! this country has way too many overstressed people to be letting them drink and shoot!

[kwinter]

I wonder ... how many of those 37 states that allow carrying guns in bars are also the same states that have outlawed smoking in bars?

[ThomasPaineWeNeedYou]

They can't b/c when the guns goes off there is lots of smoke and it would be a violation of the law.

[hrholmes]

and we can only hope that they don't hit the piano player!

[StrongEagle]

This is a very good thing to do. It will give us a baseline concerning gun violence in bars. Should there be an increase, gun control advocates will have an argument. Should there be a decrease or no net change, then perhaps it would be realistic to accept that guns alone don't create violence.

[Gidster]

Booze and impaired judgment create a lot of violence!
Most of it is harmless fisticuffs, add a handgun to that mix and the results will be more permanent.

[jamie461]

Note to self: Avoid bars the next time you are in Nashville...

[Liberal2]

I propose free drinks for Tennessee Legislators at the nearest bar in Tennessee .