Ohio Set to Allow Concealed Guns in Bars, Restaurants

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

Ohio is on the verge of allowing people with concealed-carry permits to take their firearms into many facilities that serve alcohol, including bars, restaurants, and sports stadiums.

The Republican-controlled legislature passed the legislation this week and sent it to Gov. John Kasich's desk. A spokesman for Kasich, a first-term Republican, has said he would sign it.

Opponents say it will lead to a dangerous mix of booze and firearms.

"What Ohio wants to do is totally different from what we're seeing elsewhere," Brian Malte, director of state legislation for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "It definitely goes a lot further than other states. I would say it goes further also by including sports stadiums, which is a very radical idea."

But supporters say the measure is about allowing people who legally have concealed weapons to carry the firearms into restaurants that happen to serve alcohol, instead of leaving them behind in a vehicle.

"Ohio's concealed handgun licensees already can carry into nearly any burger joint. But if they try to have a hamburger and Coke at a Max & Emma's while armed, they commit a crime," said Jeff Garvas, the president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry, in a opinion article published last month in numerous local publications.

"The only difference between the lawful and criminal act is the presence of a liquor license at a particular restaurant," he said. "That's the simple problem that 'restaurant carry' legislation is designed to fix."
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I'm all for the second amendment, but I'm not so sure if this is actually such a good idea. McDonald's isn't the same as a bar or a crowded stadium, where emotions already tend to run high.

[Ghost]

well that is good news. I have been packing anyway. Now it will be legal!

[Saltbag]

The media will make sure the first wingnut that blasts somebody "because of the new law" will make this a one step forward, two steps back situation.

 

I'm sure they're salivating over this.

[Argyle58]

The media will make sure the first wingnut that blasts somebody "because of the new law" will make this a one step forward, two steps back situation.

 

I'm sure they're salivating over this.

 

 

I truly hope that they are holding their collective breaths......gun crimes committed by those licensed for concealed carry are so rare as to hardly be mentionable.

[Evad]

The media will make sure the first wingnut that blasts somebody "because of the new law" will make this a one step forward, two steps back situation.

 

I'm sure they're salivating over this.

..and hopefully that wing nut will have 6 in him before he can fire off the second shot.

Make it 7...need to be sure!

[NCTexan]

The law should restrict having alcohol in the bloodstream and carrying a firearm.... not arbitrarily restrict where a person might carry a weapon if they have qualified for a carry permit. For the most part, these are responsible people who highly respect the law.

 

Don't the opponents know that a lot of irresponsible people ignore the law in general, don't worry about a permit, and may already drink with an illegally obtained gun wherever they are?