Here's why:
The Democratically-controlled Virginia Senate has voted to allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns in restaurants that serve alcohol, as long as the person carrying the weapon does not drink. The gun bill passed on a 22 to 18 vote, after senators had a vigorous debate about whether or not people might have a reasonable reason to carry guns in restaurants.
The House has passed a similar bill; Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has expressed support for the measure, and is expected to sign it into law. Both chambers also passed it last year, but Gov. Tim Kaine (D) vetoed it.
Sen. Emmett Hanger (R), who sponsored the measure, said he was doing so on behalf of those who now violate the law that prohibits guns in such establishments rather than leave their weapons in their cars when they go out to eat. He said this was a particular issue for women who carry guns in their purses to defend themselves when they go to, say, Red Lobster. (That was Hanger's example.)
Others argued guns have no place in eating establishments where alcohol is being served. Though the bill would prohibit a weapons carrier from drinking, the opponents said it would be impossible to tell if the law was being violated if the gun was concealed.
4 comments:
I know the food isn't great at Red Lobster, but shooting the staff is a bit of an overreaction.
I tell you what! If I'd owned a gun back in college, and had any idea how to aim and fire, I'd have shot the management of a Cap'n D's (culinary equivalent, *basse cuisine* if there's such a term to mean opposite of *haute* od Red Lobster.) I had a plate of fried clams and got so violently, retchingly ill that I missed two days of classes, had to go to the emergency room to be rehydrated, and wished I were DEAD.
Upside: I lost four pounds. Further upside: to this day, anything fried is not appealing to me! But I still don't tote a gun...
I think there's a social-stratum correlation to be found here, though. Patrons of the likes of Red Lobster are probably more inclined to pack heat than, say, those who frequent Nobu or The French Laundry.
Anonymous50 @ Mel, I don't see where it's open season on staff. And for the rest of law abiding American citizens that aren't knowledgable, it is already a legal offense that when concealed carry, one can't ingest alcohol or any medication that would impare judgement. Redundancy for those that get all their incorrect info from the news media.
Sorry, Anonymous50, I didn't really understand that.
Maybe you didn't understand my note either - it was intended to be humorous.
Post a Comment