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

[HDR]

Jesus, I have seen it all! Firearms and liquor! Even here in Texas, they know better (for now, anyway). What's next: increase highway revenue by letting children get driver's licenses?

[swift goat pet for truth]

And Texans voted for Bush FOUR times. (2X for gov)

[timthemedic]

You mean like the MRDL/Hardship license available to kids aged as young as 15? Like that revenue?

[jazzycafe]

Total insanity. What goes on inside the heads of those people who think this is a good idea?

[Niasia]

Yeah I am not understanding this at all! Alcohol and guns? Hmmmm if Alcohol and cars don't go together one would definitely think alcohol and guns wouldn't either! Sometimes I wonder about my fellow citizens I really do!

[Budokan]

Well, when you have a lot of liquor then of course you need guns!

I lived in TN for a while. Most of the people there are nice, hard working Americans. But there is a certain percentage of mouthbreathing troglodytes that you can't get around.

[AntiSocialite]

In the past two months there have been two shootings and about six assaults in the 2nd Avenue/Broadway corridor here in Nashville, an area that is less than a mile away from the capitol building. If this is the 'before' what can we expect the 'after' to look like?

[RightWingMarine]

it seems that many here didn't read the article. It is still illegal to consume alcohol while carrying the weapon. If you believe people will ignore this law why do you believe they would obey a law instructing them to leave their weapon in the car or at home?

[MoeB]

Ok. So then the law is stupid. Why would you bring a gun into a BAR and NOT drink? What is the purpose of that? Is this the Wild Wild West again? Further, why even GO to a bar if you aren't drinking or a designated driver?

[olmossy]

You could be the designated driver and carry all the firearms. Just in case .

[GTRich2004]

jeeze, read the article.

"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."

It's not only bars. It's any establishment that sells alchohol. Plenty of people go to resturants that server alcohol to eat and don't drink.

[GoldenBoy22]

"Ok. So then the law is stupid. Why would you bring a gun into a BAR and NOT drink?"

This does not only concern bars, it also applies to restaurants that serve alcohol. Now places like Applebees, Outback, Red Lobster, etc. are no longer off limits. I know several nondrinkers who enjoy eating at these places

[HDR]

Who goes into a bar and DOESN'T drink alcohol, regardless if they're packing heat?

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Just when you think stupid legislation has reached it's peak, they surprise us all...........again. Guns and Alcohol don't mix wait until they have a rash of shootings.

[ignrnthllblly]

If Tennessee has become the 38th state to enact such a stupid law, that only leaves 12 who have not (and hopefully will not), so singling out Tennessee for ridicule is more that a bit opportunistic (and the attempted comedic dialects misplaced as well as, well, bad). This law goes directly to the Republican controlled legislature--it was opposed, obviously, by a well-liked Democratic governor, as well as the state's police and sheriff's associations. Judging from polls, it was also overwhelmingly opposed (incidentally) by the people. The real story here is the purchasing power of the NRA and the head of the state's firearm association acting as an unregistered lobbyist.

Hell, most folks in Tennessee aren't in doubt over whether it's a good idea to let drunks have guns--hasn't most everyone figured out drunks shouldn't even have telephones?

[olmossy]

Anybody have a list of the other 37 guns n bars states ?

[claudiam]

Well that is a real bright idea..... claudiatucsonaz

[Liberal2]

Maybe it's Tennessee's sleathy approach to cut down drinking in bars. Oh, and wasn't it Tennessee which hekd the Scopes trial? I think we'll see darwinian evolution in action.

[outofhere]

Although the lawmakers will allow anyone to carry a gun just about anywhere in TN, guess where you can't pack a weapon....the TN statehouse. They've got metal detectors there because unlike alcohol, lawmakers and guns just don't mix.

[sean6886]

Yeah, because I want to be in a bar with some drunk, angry person who has a gun. Makes total sense to me.

[widdles]

Methinks the travel industry in Tennessee just took a big hit!

[dsmyre]

Yup, Nashville can wait.

[shel3364]

And after the first drunken brawl where someone get shot, they'll all be standing around scratching their balls & trying to figure out who to blame.

[OBXartist]

Don't despair, there may be an upside to this Tennessee decision. Many of the barroom fights and brawls that would previously have peaked with thrown beer bottles and chairs may now erupt in indescriminate gunfire, making drunken confrontations much more lethal and thereby removing from the gene pool many of those who support the NRA and moronic decisions like this one.

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

I agree with you but i still respect the lower life forms LOL

[widdles]

~note to self - never visit Tennessee and never, ever even think about moving to Tennessee~

[Stretchumall]

P.S.
Don't go out drinking.

[BlackJAC]

Nobody's required to live in Tennessee. That's why it's known as the "Volunteer State."

[expired]

ahmo whup up ohn yo a* iz
if ah done git no drink pert soon, then i mo shootchu.

Welcome to Tennesee.

[olmossy]

If that was southern , keep working on it . I you were making fun of black people , you're on the wrong site.