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Ohio lawmakers might allow guns in stadiums, bars
TweetAssociated Press
COLUMBUS
Ohio lawmakers are considering allowing people to have concealed firearms in bars, sports stadiums and other venues that serve alcohol, though it’s not clear if Gov. John Kasich would sign such legislation.
Supportive lawmakers say by passing the measure, Ohio would be joining dozens of states that have varying rules to let people take firearms into facilities that offer alcohol, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported Sunday.
But the proposal on concealed weapons in Ohio is more wide-reaching than such measures in most other states, said Brian Malte, director of state legislation for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington.
“What Ohio wants to do is totally different from what we’re seeing elsewhere,” partly because sports stadiums would be included, Malte told the newspaper.
Under the proposal, a person couldn’t legally carrying a concealed weapon and be drinking or already drunk.
Proponents say it would give people with concealed carry permits a last-resort option to defend themselves if they faced violence in a bar or restaurant by an illegal gun user. They also say restaurants, stadiums and other facilities still would have the option of posting their own bans on weapons.
“Saying that we are trying to authorize guns in bars is a complete misrepresentation,” said Jeff Garvas of Ohioans for Concealed Carry. “We didn’t go out and write a bill to say we need a bill that allows us to have a gun in bars. The whole purpose is to go to a restaurant which just happens to serve alcohol and not have to leave my gun in the car.”
Opponents argue the proposal is unnecessary and could create safety threats.
“We just don’t think alcohol and guns mix,” said Richard Mason of the Ohio Restaurant Association. “We believe the current law is working just fine.”
The Republican-led Ohio House and Senate have approved similar bills on the issue but have not sent one to Kasich.
House Speaker William Batchelder of Medina has said he expects the governor to sign the legislation, and a Kasich spokesman said that’s likely.
But Kasich isn’t giving the O.K. just yet.
“I have to see what it is,” he said last week, referring to himself as “a Second Amendment fan” who wanted to look at the details of the legislation.
Comments
I just don't believe alcohol & guns mix either. Tempers erupt in those situations and having access to a gun in the heat of the moment can have deadly consequences. How can the owners make sure the person carrying isn't drinking. People are unpredictable so I really am against voting yes though carrying away from alcohol and other drunks is fine.
OH I can see it now.
Browns stadium.. VS steelers.. lots of beer, now mixed with lots of guns.
Of course I'm all for it. I'm for anything that increases legal and responsible gun owners rights and options to carry. However, the risk far outweigh the benefits. Ohio has been so backwards on the 2nd Amendment for so long that the culture simply doesn't include the right mentality for carrying weapons. There are simply too many uneducated, irresponsible, and illegal users of firearms that would take advantage of a law much in the same way they would take advantage of any other law. Also, it is not a rear occurrence for normal people to go bat-$hit crazy at a bar or sporting event. Add a firearm to the mix and you have a cocktail for disaster. Some considerations for responsible concealed weapons carry: If you carry, carry deep. If you drink, don't carry. If you carry a firearm, don't anticipate using it for anything other than personal protection. Maintain positive control of your weapon. If you have a weapon, I can have a weapon, and it may end up being the one that gets taken off of you.
Have the republicans gone completely mad? Or are they just totally ignorant of why guns were banned from such places in the beginning? A perfect example of ignorance of history on the part of the stupid Republicans.
I love how the Brady Bunch wants everyone to believe that just being in an establishment that sells alcohol means someone carrying a gun will automatically be drunk and out of control.
It's not like any schmuck can now carry into his favorite bar - people are still being popped for illegally carrying a concealed weapon. To be legal about it, there's a 12-hour course that heavily stresses safety, and the little matter of the background check. If you've been convicted of violent crimes (you know, being drunk and out of control) you won't be allowed to legally carry. Those with a CCW have demonstrated that they're able to responsibly carry. Would you rather be next to someone who has proven they're rational and law-abiding, and may be carrying, or someone who has a record of violent crime, who may be carrying?
Either way, the person next to you may be carrying. You have no way of knowing, unless he chooses to let you know.
It's easy..Booze and Firearms DON'T MIX. They never have and never will. Too many irresponsible gun owners give the rest of us (responsible firearm owners) a bad name.
Good this will bring back civility to sports games, if you might get shot you will be more likely to keep your temper in check
Guns have no place in bars and sports stadiums . Tempers flare and in a shootout anyone in the area will get shot as the bullet isn't selective when it leaves the barrel . Why subject the innocent to death ?
This bill is for people that want to carry in a restaurant that happens to carry liquor. It's groups like the Brady Bunch that want you to think that people want to carry in your typical neighborhood watering hole. With this law anyone carrying a firearm can not be drinking. People who have CCW permits in Ohio have prioven that they are responsible and adhere to the laws of the CCW. Anti-gun groups want you to think that everyone that carries a gun are a part of the sub-culture and this is far from the truth. The responsible gun carrier abids by the law and may someday be the one that protects you and your family from the low lifes.
Guns don't belong in bars period,people lose their common sense,when liquor is involved.I know that the people with the CCW permits aren't suppose to drink,but it will only take one death.
Why do the CCW permit holders feel it is necessary,to carry a weapon into a bar or sporting event?
Most of these comments are typical knee-jerk reactions. Let's analyze where things are now: Currently no one can "legally" carry into a bar, stadium or restaurant that serves liquor. This only serves to ensure that law abiding citizens will enter these establishments unarmed. Those willing to break the law can and will carry into these establishments. Really there is no way to ensure compliance with any gun prohibiion without use of metal detectors and x-ray scanners. The new law will allow those who have taken the proper courses and passed background investigation to be allowed to carry. This doesn't do anything to make anyone less safe as the criminals were already carrying. They now need to consider that they might not be the only ones. Furthermore, if you are the owner of an establishment and want to ban the legal carrying of weapons (note I say legal as criminals don't seem to mind breaking the law) you can still do so by posting your establishment with a no-guns sign which has the force of law. Of course, many legal gun owners will then choose to take their business elsewhere as these owners will no longer be able to hide behind he current law
As to why do people feel they should carry there--that's simple--because it's their right.
The only ones who feel the need to carry a weapon into a bar or sporting event are the drug dealers . Don't try robbing them and you will leave unscathed .
People get shot in bars now as it is when they aren't allowed to carry weapons and drink and drive which isn't allowed either. Perhaps we should just ban cars at bars or bars altogether. That should solve it right?
Banning cars at bars or bars altogether would be a fine idea that has my total support .
This is a dumb idea even for Republicans.
Guns are in bars and every other establishment now with and without alcohol..It's not a wild west If you don't believe this fact then you live with blinders on.. AND establishments can still post signs prohibiting CCW. Not that the sign mean anything since CONCEALED WEAPONS ARE CONCEALED..... so how do you know (think-a-bout-it)
Alcohol and guns don't mix. Why promote it.
Have Ohio legislature’s gone completely off the deep in and become blooming idiots? Have they not learned from history? In the old Wild West people carried guns in the open and still got into gun battles when they got drunk. In the Roaring 20's people got into gun battles when they got drunk. Guns and alcohol has never, and will never mix at all.
Gun proponents say that it is to give the "lawful concealed-gun carriers" and equal basis to "illegal concealed-gun carriers" and gives them a chance to defend themselves. Are the proponents of the law suggesting that everyone that goes into bars, sports stadiums, and other alcohol serving venues are "illegal concealed-gun carriers" and that the threat is that severe and that bars, sports stadiums, and other alcohol related revenues are that dangerous that we permit a certain, select group of people to carry guns for protection. What is next? Allow concealed-gun carriers to carry guns into banks, churches, schools, libraries, police stations, and government buildings because there MIGHT be someone that is illegally carrying a gun?
Who will police the concealed-gun carriers in bars, sports stadiums, and other alcohol serving venues? Themselves? Hasn't legislatures learned that just about ALL the "Just say NO" programs have been grand failures? Just say No to drugs - FAILURE; just say no to premarital sex - FAILURE, etc., etc. etc.
Who will determine who are a legal concealed-gun carrier and an illegal concealed-gun carrier in a bar, stadium, or other alcohol serving venue? Will the waitress, bartender, or owner walk up to a person when they enter into an establishment and ask if a person is carrying a weapon and if so, could they see the permit? Does a waitress, bartender, or owner AFTER identifying a concealed-gun carrier monitor the permit carrier to ensure they are not drinking any alcoholic beverages? Who will be held responsible if a concealed-gun carrier "accidently" shoots and kills an innocent person in a heat of an argument or perceived threat?
There are many questions that have to be asked and answered before allowing ANY weapons carrying into a bar, stadium, or alcohol serving venue. Does the value and advantages of such a law far outweigh the disadvantages of such a law?