Posted on 04/14/2010 8:14:29 AM PDT by P8riot
Governor Bob McDonnell Signs VA Restaurant Carry into Law
Fairfax, Va. - Governor Bob McDonnell has signed into law a NRA-backed measure allowing right-to-carry permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in restaurants, providing they do not consume alcohol. State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24) and Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) were the principal sponsors of Senate Bill 334/House Bill 505.
“This is a victory for self-defense in Virginia," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “As headlines remind us, violent crime can happen anywhere. Law-abiding Virginia residents now have the option to carry a firearm in restaurants to defend themselves and their loved ones.”
The measure passed the State Senate in February by a margin of 22-18 and passed the House of Delegates in early March with a vote of 72-27. Virginia is the 42nd state to extend self-defense rights to permit holders in restaurants.
“The right to self-defense and the protection of loved ones in and outside the home is vital. We are pleased that Virginia passed these laws to enhance the self-defense rights of law-abiding folks in the Commonwealth,” concluded Cox. “The NRA would like to thank Governor Bob McDonnell and the lead bill sponsors, Senator Emmett Hanger and Delegate Todd Gilbert, as well as all the other legislators who supported this common-sense measure.”
This law will take effect July 1, 2010.
In addition, Governor McDonnell has also signed the following pro-gun bills into law:
House Bill 8/Senate Bill 3, sponsored by State Senator Ralph Smith (R-22) and Delegate Charles Carrico (R-5), allows Virginia residents to renew concealed carry permits by mail.
House Bill 109, sponsored by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), repeals the statute which allows the governing body of any county to require the sellers of pistols and revolvers to furnish the Clerk of the Circuit Court with the name and address of the purchaser, date of purchase and the number, make, and caliber of the gun.
House Bill 871, authored by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24), clarifies that a person who is applying for a concealed handgun permit for the first time has the same right to an ore tenus (verbal or oral statements) hearing if the permit is denied as a person who has previously held a concealed handgun permit.
House Bill 1092, sponsored by Delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark (R-6), gives retired law-enforcement the ability to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
House Bill 1191, sponsored by Delegate H. Morgan Griffith (R-8), allows a circuit court judge to authorize the Clerk of Court to issue concealed handgun permits in instances where the application is complete, the background check does not indicate that the applicant is disqualified, and, after consulting with the local sheriff or police department, there are no other questions or issues surrounding the application.
Virginians can thank Governor Bob McDonnell for his Second Amendment support at (804) 786-2211 or click here to thank him via email.
What happens if they consume alcohol?
A person who consumes alcohol in violation of the provisions of the law is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
“What happens if they consume alcohol?”
They miss their target.
"Beware of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors and miss." Lazarus Long.
ping
And how do you prevent that?
so now the left will be suspicious of people who don’t drink. (or use drugs)
“Don’t mess with them, they are not drinking...”
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined...The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”
-Patrick Henry.
Beats me.
You can't. Because you can't pass a law the prevents human behavior.
Before this became law, Virginians were still able to carry weapons into places that sold alcohol for on premise consumption... they just had to open carry (if you were concelaed you tucked your shirt behind the gun aka The Virginia Tuck).
That said most people that have a CCW permit guard it with extreme jealousy and are generally responsible people that don't want to lose their permit.
Is this granted even over the objections of the business owner?
RKBA trumping private property rights? If so, I strongly disagree.
The Constitution was created to limit the power of the government, not private property owners.
Restaurants? I find it inconceivable that carry was ever denied in restaurants.
Restaurants that are licensed by the state to sell alcohol. There was never a problem carrying concealed in other restaurants, unless they had a posted policy.
Tell me, where do the rights of private citizens end, and the rights of businesses begin?
I don't know about Virginia, but a similar restaurant-carry law was recently passed in New Mexico (goes into effect 07/01). Here all a business or property owner has to do is post a sign stating that guns are not allowed on the property, and that trumps everything.
Same here.
So nice of restaurants to post ‘no guns’ signs so we know which ones to avoid.
Businesses are "private citizens", since it is just such citizens who own them.
Your question is no different than: "Where to the rights of my neighbor end and mine begin?"
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