Posted: 6/29/2009 5:33:08 PM EDT
|
The article below is from the Knoxville 6 News Station. Looks like our "No Carry" business list is about to grow. The reader comments are interesting.
By WHITNEY HOLMES 6 News Anchor/Reporter KNOXVILLE (WATE) –– On July 14, Tennesseans with handgun permits will be allowed to carry their guns into establishments that serve alcohol. Also starting July 14, you'll see signs outside some restaurants prohibiting firearms. This is a way many restaurants are putting a stop to what they consider a potentially dangerous cocktail of guns and alcohol. "We really feel that the idea of having guns and alcohol in the same place is not a real good idea," says Frank Garner, owner of Patrick Sullivan's Steakhouse and Saloon in the Old City. When the bill passed, Gardner called his insurance carrier to find out what this meant for his restaurant. "If somebody were injured because of something like that, would I be the person that is sued because I let the firearm to be carried in?" Gardner asked. "In their opinion, the restaurant would be put on the spot." The advice he got was, don't risk it. Under the law, restaurants and bars have the right to prohibit firearms by posting a sign. Patrick Sullivan's, along with the Crown and Goose in the Old City, tell 6 News they plan to post signs. However, the Ruby Tuesday chain of restaurants does not plan to put up signs. The signs protect restaurants from being sued if the worst occurs. "What if his gun was taken from him and then somebody else had possession of that firearm? There are just all types of scenarios that can happen," Gardner says. He adds that the law could put his customers and employees at risk and that can't be good for business. In December 2007, a customer opened fire at the Hooters restaurant in West Knoxville killing one man and injuring another. Calls to Hooters Monday about its plans for the new law weren't returned. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- Reader Comments Mike says: Today, 8:23:51 PM “Just for once, I woulld like to see an unbiased, correctly informed bit of news published about this subject. The local media seems determined to brand the law abiding citizens, who have lawfully taken their classes, subjected themselves to public scrutiny, and passed a background check, as a threat to society. Better than 30 states have passed this law and I have yet to hear of a permit holder breaking the law much less shooting holes in the ceiling of any local watering holes as the media would have the public to believe will be the outcome of this bill... For those of you who care to know the truth, the law says we are not allowed to consume alcohol while carrying a gun...Period Get over it ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- John says: Today, 6:45:43 PM In December 2007 it was illegal to have the gun in Hooters. That law did a lot of good didn't it. Prohibiting guns in a restaurant will only deny law abiding customers from protecting themselves. Anybody willing to come in to the place shooting is not going to be dissuaded by a sign. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- matthew says: Today, 6:50:43 PM “Please.... your restaurant will probably be held liable any which way. What happens when you ban guns and then someone gets shot because they CANNOT defend themselves? That's already happened once this year in Nashville. What will happen is you'll get sued for banning LEGAL guns and then not providing a guard to make sure no one is carrying a firearm in. |