Posted on 06/24/2011 9:09:02 PM PDT by OneLoyalAmerican
“Guns in Bars” sounds like the concept of a high-octane Hollywood film, kind of like “Snakes on a Plane.”
Unfortunately, it is instead a new law in the State of Ohio.
Issues involving firearms always stir up a great deal of passion in this country, and the degree to which the Second Amendment affords Americans the right to own any and all guns will probably always be debated.
But you’d think there are some gun-related issues on which we could all agree. For example, I would expect that few level-headed people would advocate having loaded weapons in establishments that are primarily for alcohol consumption. Guns and alcohol are now the most toxic mix on our cocktail menus. Even if those carrying guns in bars were not consuming, lethal weapons have no place in an area where a little bit of liquor can lead to a great deal of trouble.
Polls suggest there is a degree of consensus about this. A survey commissioned earlier this year by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, of which I am the Ohio chairperson, found that 80 percent of Ohio residents opposed allowing guns in establishments that sell alcohol. And that 80 percent included 77 percent of gun owners.
So how did this misguided and unpopular proposal become law?
The firearms industry has a stranglehold on Congress and state legislatures around the country. When the the gun lobby says “Jump,” these legislative bodies ask, “How high?”
The argument in favor of this proposal on this issue is similar to the one we hear on all firearms-related issues. The gun lobby contends that, despite all evidence to the contrary, guns make us safer.
The gun lobby argues it is irresponsible not to allow concealed, loaded weapons in bars because, under the current law, those gathered in taverns today are defenseless. By this logic, we should be required to carry a firearm everywhere to protect ourselves, just as we’re required to wear seatbelts in our automobiles.
Of course, that would be ridiculous—though only slightly more ridiculous than passing a law to allow guns in bars. The fact is this outlandish proposal would be a terrible addition to an already bad law.
I fought Ohio’s existing concealed carry law when it was first proposed, and I believe Ohio would be a safer state without it. Like all mayors of big cities, I’ve seen the heartbreaking effects of gun violence up close, and I know putting more guns in more people’s hands promotes more violence, not less.
Proponents of the concealed carry statute point out that Ohioans must go through firearms safety training in order to obtain a permit to carry a gun in the Buckeye State. That’s true, but Ohio also honors concealed carry permits from 20 other states, some of which have less stringent requirements.
Those states include Utah, where residents can get a concealed carry permit after only four or five hours of weapons training. And unlike in Ohio, Utah’s required training does not even include firing the gun.
This means an Ohio resident can go through the lax training requirements to obtain a Utah concealed carry permit, which can then be used to carry a concealed gun in Ohio. Better yet, you don’t even have to go to Utah to get the permit. Ohio residents can get their Utah permits right here at home.
Now, those poorly trained Utah permit holders will be carrying their guns—legally—into drinking establishments.
Now that the gun lobby folks have succeeded in getting this law approved, I can’t imagine where they could do further damage to our community, unless of course they proposed something as irresponsible as the elimination of the concealed carry permit process altogether.
And that is exactly what the gun lobby is now proposing in Ohio. A new bill would scrap the concealed carry permit process while authorizing guns in public buildings, on college campuses and in day care centers.
Day care centers? It sounds like a bad joke. But so did guns in bars. And we aren’t laughing.
Michael B. Coleman is the mayor of Columbus, Ohio
Ohio ping
SB17 text: “you may have a firearm if you are not consuming alcohol”
From what I understand about Columbus, they coddle the criminal element well. Maybe Mr. Coleman ought to get his house in order before he criticizes the rest of us who are law-abiding gun owners.
I am a bit bewildered on the reason behind letting a bunch of drunks get together all armed. All of us gunowners are taught safety and responsibility, drinking and carrying to me isnt all that responsible.
And your solution would be?
maybe treat it like drinking and driving, you get caught intoxicated while carrying you lose your permit to carry.
Yeah, because it’s a huge problem in PA, where there is no law on the books restricting your RIGHT to carry when consuming an alcoholic beverage. It’s almost like the State trusts the people to be responsible (CRAZY AS THAT SOUNDS!!).
Oh wait, wild west shootouts, blood in the streets, etc... Idiot.
See #3.
Perhaps post #3 can help.
Mayhap a suspension. Even drunk drivers get second chances. Both are responsible for a deadly weapon.
Seriously, I believe its a good idea, mainly because while we are pushing for MORE gun freedom, the libs are always pushing for LESS. If things don't go our way, it will go their way...And we'll have no guns at all.
With the new law the restaurant owners can still post a sign to prohibit people coming in armed, but the penalty will be a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
Yeah, I won’t pack if I am drinking, most of the time. If I go out to dinner with The Warden I will almost always carry. I may have a beer or two, but I won’t be over the legal limit. Now, I’m not saying having a beer when armed is smart, but if she is with me and we are out, I’ll take my chances with the goblins and with the law. I’d rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.
Flame away.
Rab sees no requirement to be armed prior to entry to a “bar” even though entering is probably a bad idea. Going anywhere unarmed is probably a bad and possibly fatal idea.
So?
Uniform Crime Statistics Columbus violent crime rate, under the tenure of Mayor Dufus.
CRIME INDEX: 2
100 is safest
This city is safer than 2% of the cities in the US.
More likely than not, that 2% are the Mayors Against Illegal Guns cities.
MY CHANCES OF BECOMING A VICTIM
in Columbus
1 in 119
in Ohio
1 in 281
Send your children to Columbus; for what?
Cheers,
OLA
I understand your concern about what people do when they get together for a week long hunting trip, but this isn't about that.
And it's not really about going armed in bars.
It's about going armed in restaurants.
Previously those with a Concealed Handgun License could not carry a firearm in an establishment where alcohol was served/consumed. That meant they could not carry in restaurants that served alcohol, which is a lot of restaurants, especially the better ones.
All CHL holders wanted to do was be able to carry when they patronized a nice restaurant.
The thing is, Ohio does not distinguish between establishments that are primarily for drinking, with some eating, and those that are primarily for dining, with some drinking. Some states distinguish based on percentage of sales, but Ohio doesn't.
So in order to legalize carry in restaurants that serve alcohol, they had to legalize it for bars too.
Legalized carry in restaurants was mostly the point of the effort. The anti-gun folks are ranting about the bar part because, well because they are anti-gun.
And as someone else wrote, it's not legal to drink and carry.
Note to Self: Don’t refer to yourself with a 5 year-olds name and expect adults to take you seriously.
Greetings KarlInOhio:
Ever notice how Mayor Dufus never understands the difference between “legal” and “illegal?” He supports illegal immigration too.
What’s next, not knowing the difference between legal and illegal campaign contributions?
Cheers,
OLA
Thanks for the information. I believe the reason “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” exists is to give Blue City Mayors an excuse for the unwillingness to control crime in the cesspools for cities they represent. Columbus looks bad. Have you guys caught up with Cleveland yet?
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