BTW, the signs won’t stop criminals. They’re already used to breaking laws. They’ll appreciate that the only ones with guns in these establishments are themselves and other criminals.

For those who look to veto these types of bills for fear of spending time in an establishment that serves alcohol to “gun-toting” Americans…you’re already spending time in those establishments with those of us who carry….you just don’t know who we are. Making it legal for us to carry when we’re at dinner simply allows us the freedom to keep our firearms with us while we enjoy a relaxing meal. We’re not allowed to drink if we carry. And if we have our guns with us, you’re less likely to get shot when you leave the place by some idiot that illegally breaks into our vehicles to steal our weapons.

Those of us who have earned the right to carry concealed are NOT your problem. And as the Brentwood man said, the restaurant & bar owners certainly have a choice to put the sign up…but it won’t stop us from carrying into their establishments. What it will do is let those non-law-abiding citizens feel much safer about robbing the place. Just pray that there’s a card-carrying/weapon-wielding patron enjoying their meal with their family nearby when it happens…because they’re always more than willing to protect YOU at their own risk as well.

If the simple truth is that there isn’t any gun violence in bars and restaurants, then why do you differentiate between bars that allow guns and bars that do not allow guns?

The simple truth is there are at least 37 other states where similar laws have been passed, and NONE of them has turned into what you Libs are always screaming about: drunks with guns turning every bar and restaurant into the Old West. The truth is that CCW holders across the US are among the most law abiding people around.

No restaurant owner’s liberty is being challenged. The only liberty really being challenged is for law abiding TN citizens to defend themselves and their families when they go out to lunch or dinner at a place that happens to serve alcohol.

If the owner of Boscos wants to prohibit concealed carry at his establishments, I certainly respect his right to do so, just as I am sure he respects my right to bypass his restaurant in favor of spending my hard earned cash at another venue that is not anti-2nd Amendment. In my case, this started yesterday afternoon (6/5/09) when I first saw the no gun sticker at the 21st Ave location. I am sure the owner of Boscos also respects my right to discuss, email or blog this topic with every other gun owner and CCW holder I know.

I, my wife and children will NEVER spend our money in any restaurant where the owner denies my CONSTITUTIONALLY guaranteed right to bear arms for self defense. These folks have essentially painted a target on their establishments’ front windoww with a sign that says “GUN FREE ZONE – come in and freely rob, rape and kill all the patrons in here”. How many of you left wingers would be dumb enough to put a “GUN FREE ZONE” sign in the front yard of your house?

I can promise you that most, if not all of my CCW friends and acquaintances will never patronize a restaurant that doesn’t allow self defense with a firearm. CCW holders tend not to be middle of the road folks when it comes to the 2nd Amendment; we DO tend to be passionate about our rights to self defense. There are over 200,000 CCW holders in TN. That’s a lot of folks with a lot of cash. WE ARE EVERYWHERE.

Brentwood, TN

If police chiefs and sheriffs are willing to be the public face for a veto ceremony the voters do have the right to know who they are. So they can either approve or disapprove in future elections.

This post, like all posts & comments I have read since about the time Heller v. DC brought out the best in commenters, disappoints greatly. Feelings, ad-hominem, discredited info, lack of knowledge on the part of the anti-gunners. Data, rationality, information presented by the pro-gunners. Nothing new.

I am told I am a dreamer, but I will continue to search.