Senate passes bill permitting guns in bars, nightclubs

By Andy Sher, TimesFreePress.com
January 17, 2008

NASHVILLE -- Tennesseans with gun permits could carry their weapons into nightclubs, bars and restaurants that sell alcohol under a bill that sailed Wednesday through the Senate on a 24-6 vote.

One Senate critic raised the specter that the would-be law might result in Wild West-like saloon shoot-outs.

But the bill's sponsor, Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, argued that similar laws in 34 other states have resulted in no such problems.

"I've had people say that guns and alcohol do not mix, and I will agree that until you look at the facts -- until you understand this issue -- that is certainly an emotional argument," Sen. Jackson said. "But unfortunately, it's an argument that does not carry the day."

Sen. Beverly Marrero, D-Memphis, took aim at the bill, saying she has been in bars, "and I was always relatively happy that all of these people were not heavily armed."

"I have seen bizarre and erratic behavior before in bars, and I don't know whether it was because of the consumption of alcohol or what it was," she said. "But I mean, there were times possibly when someone behaved in such a way where someone should have been shot, but I'm glad they weren't."

Sen. Jackson said Tennessee establishments that sell alcohol now supposedly are free from weapons, but he pointed out how a criminal in Memphis entered a "gun-free zone" and shot two people, killing one.

"Gun-free zones don't apply to criminals," Sen. Jackson said. "It only applies to law-abiding citizens. Why is it in the interest of public safety that we want to disarm law-abiding citizens? Who are we protecting?"

The bill, which has passed the Senate in the past, now goes to the House where it has died in subcommittees.

Sen. Jackson's bill would prohibit gun-permit holders who are carrying a weapon from consuming alcohol in an establishment where wine, beer or liquor is sold. It also would allow owners of establishments to post signs barring the bringing of weapons into their businesses.

He noted that under Tennessee's 1997 gun-permit law, a permit holder can carry a gun into a restaurant where no alcohol is sold unless the owner has signs saying it is prohibited.

Sen. Rosalind Kurita, D-Clarksville, an expert skeet shooter, also voiced reservations about the bill.

"I really don't see a need to bring a gun into Pizza Hut or O'Charley's," she said.

But a supporter, Sen. Paul Stanley, R-Germantown, said Tennesseans "will behave themselves."

Freshman Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, voted against the bill while Sens. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, and Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland, voted for it. Not voting was Sen. Steve Roller, D-McMinnville.

"I support existing gun safety laws," Sen. Berke said. "But I had spoken with law enforcement officials who had me concerned about the mixture of alcohol and guns."