Restaurant Carry Bill is BACK!!! Let's push this one through this time!

[Joe West]

Hi Gang,

Let's get to work on this one... spread this information far and wide and contact every AZ senator and house rep you can and let them know how you feel.

Here's the details I received tonight:

On 5/2/06 8:00 PM, "Jack Harper" <jhrtp@msn.com> wrote:

Dear Friends of the NRA,

The "restaurant-carry" issue has succeeded again in the state senate. This time, it is just for allowing firearms in restaurants with a class-12 license. I added it to HB2740 today in the Committee Of the Whole (COW). The underlying bill was doomed in COW before the NRA's 2005 legislative priority was added. As you may recall, I carried the NRA's bill to allow firearms in establishments with a liquor license, as it is allow in 36 other states. SB1363 was passed by the legislature and vetoed by Governor Napolitano.

After receiving request from many NRA members, I was able to advocate for the issue again. HB2740 must pass a final read in the senate and the sponsor must "concur" with the senate amendments. Email all state senators and Representative Michelle Reagan to "support HB2740 with the Harper Floor Amendment."

Senators' email addresses and phone numbers:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/MemberRoster.asp?Body=S

Thank you all.

State senator Jack W. Harper
602-926-4178

[TRobertsRN]

I have never been aware of a pro gun law that I didn't support. I am a member of the NRA. Although I don't trust either party I am a register Republican. I was a bartender and bouncer for 14 years. I have never believed that the actions of others should restrict my rights.

I have often used the arguement that how can someone take my handgun because someone else committed a crime with one, when cars aren't banned because some people kill other people with them (in numbers much larger than guns).

Joe if i remember right you don't drink. I still do at times and I mentioned my professional experience with alcohol. It is difficult even for a trained professional to know whether someone has been drinking.

I have broken up many a fight where anything handy was used and have been shot at a couple of times in the parking lot after the guy I tossed gets to his gun in the car. I understand that this bill would mean that only those not drinking could carry a gun.


All that being said if I was wearing a gun and someone in a fight I was not involved in attempted to take it from me I know what I would do.

What would your response be?

What I am getting at is I am not in favor or this law but I am willing to let you try to convince me. I have two dauthers in the restuarant business.

[Joe West]

Hi Tom,

I don't believe that I have ever seen a fight in a restaurant in my entire life... remember, we aren't talking about BARS... we are talking about restaurants that server alcohol. I can tell you IF I saw a fight in a restaurant, I would simply let the restaurant staff take care of it... and I would not pull a weapon out.

This bill is different than the one Neopolitan vetoed last year... this one only covers restaurants that serve alcohol and last year's covered bars.

I do drink... a few glasses of wine a week and the occasional martini :)

JW

[azdesertrhino]

Thanks for posting this up Joe. I don't think it has hit the media yet and I tried to find info on the 'net and found nothing.

A common misconception with this is going to be the BAR issue again. The media will spin it that way, I can see it coming.

Even last year, they spun it as a bunch of drunks in a bar with guns shooting the place up. The only people this law affects is law abiding citizens. The punk boy drunk in a bar is going to carry a gun if he wants to, whether the law say he can or not!

Below is the link to one story where the events possibly could have been changed had people been allowed to carry a concealed weapon.

http://www.gunownersalliance.com/hupp-10.htm

[TRobertsRN]

If I remember right there hasn't been a "bar license" issued in Arizona in over twenty years. Most of the places we consider bars in truth have a restuarant license and must have a certain amount of what they sell be food. There are very few bar licenses left in this state.

In the 14 years I worked as a bartender all the bars I worked in had restuarant licenses. This included over ten places in Arizona. Each of them had a fight at least once a week. This included places like Stag and Hound, Elks lodge, Carlos Murphy's, Butch Olearys, Houlihans, Catalina Cafe, Busters's, The Mile High Club, The Hyatt Regency.

I am not worried about Joe Responsible who has taken a concealed carry course. I am worried about Joe Drunk who know's Joe Responsible has a gun and attempts to take it from him when he gets pissed at someone else.

Being against this bill goes against all that I believe about the 2nd amendment, freedom, and not having my rights taken away due to the actions of others. I don't have an explaination for it, call it old bartenders intutition.

In truth I think the world would be a safer kinder place if everyone not just could but was required to carry a handgun.

I imagine like the norm of all businesses if passed each restuarant will have the right to post no firearms allowed like I saw on the door of some department store yesterday?

[azdesertrhino]

Below is the text of the bill I pulled from another site regarding the posting of "No Firearms Allowed". Also there are links to the different license law overviews.

I understand what Tom is saying. I don't agree but I understand.

My point in this issue is I can't go to Olive Garden, Great China, most Mexican Restaurants, most Pizza joints etc etc, armed to protect myself and my family because they sell alcohol.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Restaurant
http://www.azll.com/lic12.htm

Beer and wine bar
http://www.azll.com/lic07.htm

Spirits Bar
http://www.azll.com/lic06.htm

A. A premises that is issued a RESTAURANT LICENSE pursuant to section 4-205.02 may post a notice prohibiting the possession of a firearm on the entire licensed premises or on a portion of the licensed premises. A notice prohibiting possession of a firearm on the entire licensed premises shall be conspicuously posted at the primary public entrance to the licensed premises in a position that assures it is likely to be read. A notice prohibiting possession of a firearm on a portion of the licensed premises shall be conspicuously posted in the prohibited portion of the premises in a position that assures it is likely to be read.

B. The notice allowed by subsection A of this section prohibiting the possession of a firearm on the entire licensed premises shall state "this premises is posted pursuant to A.R.S. section 4‑229". The notice allowed by subsection A of this section prohibiting the possession of a firearm on a portion of the licensed premises shall state "this portion of the premises is posted pursuant to A.R.S. section 4-229". In each notice the words "A.R.S. section 4-229" shall be in at least seventy-two point type.
__________________________________________________ _______________

[lancetkenyon]

[QUOTE=TRobertsRN]

I am not worried about Joe Responsible who has taken a concealed carry course. I am worried about Joe Drunk who know's Joe Responsible has a gun and attempts to take it from him when he gets pissed at someone else.


If "Joe Responsible" has taken a CCW class, and "Joe Drunk" knows he is carrying a weapon, "Joe Responsible" is not doing a very good job of keeping his weapon concealed, which is the point of the CCW anyway. He might as well carry open. One of the main points of CCW is the element of surprise, not letting everyone know you are armed. If you have a CCW permit, you should always be in a state of awareness. This would include knowing what "Joe Drunk" is doing, and if he gets out of hand, it would be better to get out of the way. A CCW isn't a license to be a private cop, and the best bet is always to avoid a situation. A weapon should always be a last resort, only to be used if there is iminant danger of possible death to you or another person. A fistfight would USUALLY not be considered, but there are certain circumstances. And yes, I am a CCW permit holder, and I do carry. Nice little 3" Kimber .45 Auto.