Bring Your Guns To The Bar

Jul 1, 2011 by James

While I am the most pro Second Amendment person that I know, even I struggle to find logic in Ohio’s decision to allow concealed firearms into establishments that serve alcohol. Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich signed a bill into law on Thursday that along with many other provisions will allow licensed gun owners to carry their weapons in and out of bars as long as they’re not intoxicated. While businesses can ban firearms on their premises for safety it is unlikely that every bar in the state will enact such precautions.

While the key portion of the bill, that is grabbing headlines, is the measure that lets gun owners drink safely there are many other provisions that’re rightfully expanding citizens rights to defend themselves. Now licensed owners can carry their weapons into shopping malls and sporting venues and arenas. In addition permit holders may transport a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle without securing it in a holster, case, bag or box and it allows them to remove a handgun from a secure location. Opponents of the new law struck at the idea of allowing firearms into a place where alcohol is present citing safety concerns however the other provisions would allow defense of licensed holders in addition to other unarmed citizens.

Those who choose to carry their firearm into an area that serves alcohol are forbidden under the law from consuming alcohol and doing so would land them in jail and terminate their license. Ohio’s new law puts it in line with many other states’ Second Amendment laws.

While I do agree with most of the provisions within the law I find myself wondering why the bar provision was necessary. Most don’t go to the bar to sit around and drink water and I certainly don’t want some drunk jackass to reach for my gun either on purpose or accident. I also don’t feel that the drunk jackass deserves a bullet for starting a fight. While many gun owners and those who carry concealed are often very in control of themselves and their weapon; there is always one. I don’t want someone spoiling my right to carry because he got an itchy finger in the bar because someone bigger than him got nasty. I also don’t want police to use this new law to further harass concealed carry holders and I know its going to happen especially with the provision saying you can carry a loaded gun in your car without its holster. The police flip out now when the go through your wallet and see your permit.

I feel Ohio took a step in the right direction with this passing of the law but I feel they may have been greedy. I hope Ohioans prove me wrong and are responsible and proficient with their firearms no matter the circumstance or law. I applaud the efforts to protect the Second Amendment as well as every citizens right to defend themselves everywhere they go but we all know that people slip through the cracks.

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Source: Reuters