Judge Strikes Down TN Guns in Bars Law (Johnson City, Columbia: crimes, how much)

[jabogitlu]

JohnsonCityPress.com - Local News - Johnson City, TN


NASHVILLE — A judge ruled Friday that a new law allowing handguns in Tennessee bars and restaurants is unconstitutional.

Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman said the law, enacted earlier this year over the veto of Gov. Phil Bredesen, is "fraught with ambiguity."

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

JohnsonCityPress.com - Local News - Johnson City, TN


NASHVILLE — A judge ruled Friday that a new law allowing handguns in Tennessee bars and restaurants is unconstitutional.

Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman said the law, enacted earlier this year over the veto of Gov. Phil Bredesen, is "fraught with ambiguity."

Stupid. They had the option of opting out if they chose. So now, even if an owner wants to allow guns into his business that he pays taxes for, tough crap? What a bunch of BS. I go to restaurants on a regular basis and don't drink. And now I can't defend myself or my family when someone comes in shooting?

Oh wait, we don't need to worry. There's a law that criminals aren't allowed to bring guns in to shoot people. I'm sure they'll obey.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by mrs1885

Stupid. They had the option of opting out if they chose. So now, even if an owner wants to allow guns into his business that he pays taxes for, tough crap? What a bunch of BS. I go to restaurants on a regular basis and don't drink. And now I can't defend myself or my family when someone comes in shooting?

Oh wait, we don't need to worry. There's a law that criminals aren't allowed to bring guns in to shoot people. I'm sure they'll obey.

Is it really that violent down there in Tennessee that you feel like you need to carry a gun around every time you go out to eat?

Guess it's changed a lot since I moved!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

Is it really that violent down there in Tennessee that you feel like you need to carry a gun around every time you go out to eat?

Guess it's changed a lot since I moved!

Oh, stop. Yeah, I'm shaking in my shoes. I should escape to Chicago and live next to you.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Oh, stop. Yeah, I'm shaking in my shoes. I should escape to Chicago and live next to you.

Jeez, I just don't see the reason that people down there feel the need to carry a gun with them every time they go to eat out. I mean, I eat out and don't feel that need up here in the big bad city. It's pointless to live your life in fear, which is what you're doing if you feel like you need to carry a gun around.

Didn't know my opinion was invalidated because I live in Chicago. I would still think it was a ridiculous idea if I still lived in little ol' Columbia, Tenn.

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

Jeez, I just don't see the reason that people down there feel the need to carry a gun with them every time they go to eat out. I mean, I eat out and don't feel that need up here in the big bad city. It's pointless to live your life in fear, which is what you're doing if you feel like you need to carry a gun around.

Didn't know my opinion was invalidated because I live in Chicago. I would still think it was a ridiculous idea if I still lived in little ol' Columbia, Tenn.

It's got nothing to do with being in a big bad city. It's got to do with being prepared and not accepting being a victim.

Maybe you don't read the news. See, there are crazy people out there. They shoot people. They're not nice and should be sent to their rooms.

Chances are I'll never need to protect my family. But if the day does arrive and I can't and I lose one of my children, then how will I feel? I want to know that if that ever occurs, if some dumb A ever comes in carrying a gun, I can splatter his brains all over the room.

Maybe it's growing up in a law enforcement family or marrying into it, or following that career path myself. I just wasn't raised to be a tree hugging, tofu eating, Prius driving liberal. I don't plan on being a victim. I've got a very realistic view of this world. Most people are good people, especially in my area. But there are nut jobs out there and you can't rationalize and reason with a crazy person. If they decide they're going to take out a few people, the only way you'll stop them is to kill them. I'm fine with that. I'll get up the next morning and make pancakes for breakfast and my life will go on.

As for the new law, I don't know about the rest of the state, but I'd much rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6.

[scarletneon]

Sorry, my opinion's not going to change. I feel like if you've got to carry a gun around, you're living in fear.

I guess I'm just a tree hugging liberal!

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

Sorry, my opinion's not going to change. I feel like if you've got to carry a gun around, you're living in fear.

I guess I'm just a tree hugging liberal!

That's fine. I won't change a liberal's mind. But seriously, ask yourself what you're going to do if someone does every walk in and put a gun to the head of your child? I'm very serious. Think about it. What are your plans? Do you really think if you're nice to him you'll change his mind? Really?

I'm not giving you a hard time. My in laws are the same way. They were actually angry with my husband for going into law enforcement. To them it just meant walking around, beating people up and shooting them. They hate guns. It doesn't matter how much education they got from us, their opinion wasn't going to change. I pray for them all the time because they live in a fantasy land where all you have to do is talk to bad people and they will realize being bad isn't nice and they'll change their ways. They put themselves in horrible situations, going into bad areas. I pray for them all the time. They're trying so hard to do what they think is right, but it scares the hell out of me.

I don't think I'm living in fear at all. I said I doubt it'll ever happen. But I also know it's possible. Not likely, but possible. And I plan on being ready if it ever does happen. Just call me a boyscout - always prepared!

[mbmouse]

Take it easy folks.
Personally, I don't think this has anything to do with defending yourself if a nut job walks in with a gun, but the fact that alcohol and guns don't mix well. Add a drunk with an attitude, and a weapon=someone is gonna get shot.
They have to add restaurants to this because a lot of them serve drinks, but it really more aimed at bars....and if someone is bringing there kids into a bar, they have more to worry about in their lives than if a nut job with a gun comes into that bar.
Also think about this....when is the last time you heard on the news in TN " A guy walks into a full restaurant and demands money" ?

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

Take it easy folks.
Personally, I don't think this has anything to do with defending yourself if a nut job walks in with a gun, but the fact that alcohol and guns don't mix well. Add a drunk with an attitude, and a weapon=someone is gonna get shot.
They have to add restaurants to this because a lot of them serve drinks, but it really more aimed at bars....and if someone is bringing there kids into a bar, they have more to worry about in their lives than if a nut job with a gun comes into that bar.
Also think about this....when is the last time you heard on the news in TN " A guy walks into a full restaurant and demands money" ?

I'm not wound up at all.

I agree - no one that drinks should be in possession of a weapon. If you walk in a bar - or restaurant for that matter - and plan on drinking, the gun needs to stay locked in a car. But I don't drink.

A bar or restaurant being held up may not be common, but someone shooting in a bar is. You hear that alot. And there are plenty people that can stop that guy before he takes out a dozen people.

Paterson police investigate fatal shooting at bar | New Jersey Real-Time News - - NJ.com


Vail man, 63, held in fatal shooting at bar | Philadelphia Daily News | 11/09/2009 (http://www.philly.com/dailynews/national/20091109_Vail_man__63__held_in_fatal_shooting_at_b ar.html - broken link)

Va. man is victim in shooting at bar

Police involved shooting at bar in Miller Place, Long Island - 11/19/09 - New York News and Tri-State News - 7online.com


There are plenty more links if you'd like more proof. Over 36 million hits came up. It's not just people robbing places, it's people being violent criminals. I don't care to be their victim and I have a big problem with people telling me I have no choice. So now my option is don't go out to eat or break that law. *shrug*

They also passed a law that firearms aren't allowed in TN state parks recently remember? The day after they passed that law, there was a hold up in one of the state parks. All you are doing is telling the criminal element where they are safe to commit crimes, because no one will be there to stop them.

I'm not sure why people don't get that the criminals don't obey your stupid laws. All you're doing is infringing on the rights of the responsible, law abiding public.