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PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate has given final approval to a bill that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry a gun into a business that serves alcohol.
The 19-8 vote completes legislative action on the bill and sends it to Republican Gov. Jan Brewer. She has not said whether she will sign it, but she has long been a supporter of gun rights.
The measure has pitted powerful groups representing gun and bar owners against each other, sparking a debate about whether guns and alcohol can coexist without bloodshed.
Critics of the measure say guns and alcohol are a dangerous combination.
"We don't let people drink and drive, why should we let them drink and carry guns?" said Sen. Paula Aboud, D-Tucson, who voted against the bill.
Supporters say they should be able to protect themselves and their families even if they happen to be inside a business serving alcohol.
"It's very important that criminals are now afraid rather than law abiding citizens," said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, the bill's sponsor.
The measure would ban drinking while packing and allow restaurants to deny entry to gun-toting citizens by posting a sign next to their liquor license.
The bill initially required that a bar serving alcohol also serve food, but that provision was removed at the request of bar owners who worried about uncertainty over which bars have kitchens.
Forty other states have approved similar measures, according to the National Rifle Association.
In Tennessee, restaurant owners and others filed a lawsuit Wednesday over a similar law that goes into effect July 14, saying it "encourages breaches of peace and unlawful vigilantism."
Randy Rayburn, owner of several Nashville restaurants and a plaintiff, said the measure is an "antibusiness law" that not only jeopardizes public safety, but increases employer liability and hurts tourism and hospitality businesses.
"The Legislature did not understand the unintended consequences of their actions," Rayburn said.
Former Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, vetoed a similar bill earlier this decade that would not have required people to have concealed weapons permits in order to carry guns in bars.
More than 127,000 Arizonans have concealed weapons permits, which require a gun safety course and background check, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
___
Associated Press Writer Lucas L. Johnson II from Nashville, Tenn., contributed to this report.
___
On the Net:
Arizona Legislature: http://www.azleg.gov
National Rifle Association: http://www.nra.com
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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{"commentId":7964574,"authorDomain":"myriver"}
This cannot be a wise decision. You cannot mix alcohol and guns without some degree of bloodshed.
{"commentId":7964574,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"myriver"}
- 1 vote
#1 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 11:09 AM EDT{"commentId":7965497,"authorDomain":"abacass01"}
Guns and booze,
Like Nuts and Gum,
Together at last!
{"commentId":7965497,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"abacass01"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7975674,"authorDomain":"myriver"}
I can only guess that the smart people won't be drinking in bars there now, and the foolish ones will be more likely used for target practice?
{"commentId":7975674,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"myriver"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7964982,"authorDomain":"ispeedtoo"}
I thought that one of the rules of the Conceal and Carry Permit was Zero Alcohol use! How does this work, you can carry in the bar but not Drink Right??
{"commentId":7964982,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"ispeedtoo"}
#2 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 11:29 AM EDT{"commentId":7975347,"authorDomain":"nealebooks"}
Just like drinking and driving, don't. The bill was passed because most restaurants in Az serve booze and food. Since the bill prohibits alchohol consumption while carrying, , NO PROBLEM. When I, who do not drink, Take my wife, who likes a cocktail with dinner, out to eat, I would no longer have to leave my ability to defend the best thing in my life in the car or at home. Read the papers, nuts kill everywhere, and if one tries to hurt MY wife, HE WILL DIE!!! That's my right, to defend my family. If you own a bar, and file as a plaintiff against this bill, bear in mind 2 things.
1- I will not patronize your business ever again.
2-If you post no guns allowed as is your right, no problem
{"commentId":7975347,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"nealebooks"}
{"commentId":7976018,"authorDomain":"nealebooks"}
I happen to think that it is your business, and what you allow under your roof is NOT the governments business. You allow (or not) smoking, guns, public displays of affection, gays, straights, or whatever, and THE MARKETPLACE will decide if your choices are wise, average, or bad. Just as state wide bans on smoking in bars or restaurants are stupid, so is a ban on ANYTHING ELSE. If Joe's Bar and Grill allows smoking, and Fred's Gin Mill doesn't, then the consumers in the area will decide which is the better place to frequent. The argument about employee exposure to smoke is moot. Just don't apply for work where smoking is allowed if you don't like smoke, don't work in a nudie bar if you find skin objectionable, don't work for liberals if you hate sanctimonious do-gooders who ignore your rights. It's that simple. Me, I don't smoke, so if my companions don't, either, Fred's would be my place. If my boss, who does smoke, is my guest, I would go to Joe's. Common courtesy rules. As a guest, I would accept whatever choice my host made without a complaint, as a host, I personally would accommodate my guest because the smoke really doesn't bother me, but might others. My guess is, unless one of the above mentioned establishments really had horrible food, they BOTH would do a decent amount of business. (Personally, I would be a silent partner in both places, as both WILL make money.) Just get the gov't out of your business(es) and the world will be a happier, more prosperous place to live.
{"commentId":7976018,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"nealebooks"}
{"commentId":7965533,"authorDomain":"abacass01"}
Hey! you got gun in my beer!
Hey! you got beer in my gun!
....
Bang Bang Bang Bang!
{"commentId":7965533,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"abacass01"}
#3 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 11:55 AM EDT{"commentId":7965698,"authorDomain":"yellowknife-street-railway"}
Yet another RED STATE passing an idiotic law, surprise NOT.
I guess the knuckle draggers have spread out from the ole south to the ole west.
Congrats on showing the world how dumb some Americans are.
{"commentId":7965698,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"yellowknife-street-railway"}
#4 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 12:03 PM EDT{"commentId":7993059,"authorDomain":"jdl-28"}
We never stated the people we elected to office was smart, but I do believe our governor will veto this bill.
{"commentId":7993059,"threadId":"616870","contentId":"2987014","authorDomain":"jdl-28"}
#5 - Thu Jul 2, 2009 4:40 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"616870","isPrivate":false}
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