HarryB
Member
Its one step away from passing. Will she sign it. Not likely, but e-mail has been sent.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0419guns-bars19.html
Guns in bars bill reaches governor
Veto on measure appears possible
Robbie Sherwood
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 19, 2005 12:00 AM
Carrying your loaded gun into a nightclub, bar or restaurant that serves alcohol could soon be legal as long as you don't drink under a bill that emerged from the Legislature on Monday.
But don't load those holsters and head for the dance floor just yet. Gov. Janet Napolitano still has to sign the bill.
And her cryptic statements so far indicate she is leaning on the side of Arizona's tourism and hospitality industry, neighborhood groups and major public-safety organizations who have all strongly opposed the measure.
The Senate gave final passage to Senate Bill 1363 by a vote of 17-12.
The National Rifle Association, the main force behind the bill, says its membership has practical reasons for wanting the law changed.
Law-abiding gun owners don't want to have to leave their weapons at home or in the car, where they are useless for protection, when they dine in restaurants that serve alcohol, said Darren LaSorte, NRA lobbyist.
"I think the governor will just have to see through the rhetoric and decide whether or not there's sound policy in the bill," said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, who sponsored the legislation. "Keep in mind it's not a mandate on businesses. It just gives them the option to say whether or not they allow firearms in their establishment rather than having the state make the decision for them."
Establishments that don't want guns inside would have to post a sign saying "no firearms allowed" at all entrances.
But that's not good enough for bar and restaurant owners such as Phil Miglino, who runs Nixon's at the Esplanade in Phoenix.
Miglino is hoping for a veto on behalf of Arizona's tourism workers, who outnumber any other industry in the state.
"What do we need? A couple of tourists to get clipped to wake up and realize this is a bad idea." Miglino said.
"You can't expose this many people to that kind of danger.
"If this was limited to concealed-carry permit holders, those are generally responsible people. But in Arizona you can just clip a gun to your side and walk around, and now you are saying those people can just walk into bars."
LaSorte points out that 33 other states already allow firearms in at least some establishments that serve alcohol. And Arizona's law would be among the most stringent, he said. Alaska is the only state among the 33 that does not allow carriers to drink.
"I think the governor should ask (opponents) for hard evidence of any problems that exist in the 33 states," LaSorte said.
"For three years, the industry has never indicated a single problem at any of the other establishments in the 33 states."
A similar bill fell one vote short in the Senate last year, and the debate drew dubious national television attention with a lampooning piece on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This year there was no national media attention but more votes, thanks to a conservative surge in last year's elections.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or (602) 444-8146.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0419guns-bars19.html
Guns in bars bill reaches governor
Veto on measure appears possible
Robbie Sherwood
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 19, 2005 12:00 AM
Carrying your loaded gun into a nightclub, bar or restaurant that serves alcohol could soon be legal as long as you don't drink under a bill that emerged from the Legislature on Monday.
But don't load those holsters and head for the dance floor just yet. Gov. Janet Napolitano still has to sign the bill.
And her cryptic statements so far indicate she is leaning on the side of Arizona's tourism and hospitality industry, neighborhood groups and major public-safety organizations who have all strongly opposed the measure.
The Senate gave final passage to Senate Bill 1363 by a vote of 17-12.
The National Rifle Association, the main force behind the bill, says its membership has practical reasons for wanting the law changed.
Law-abiding gun owners don't want to have to leave their weapons at home or in the car, where they are useless for protection, when they dine in restaurants that serve alcohol, said Darren LaSorte, NRA lobbyist.
"I think the governor will just have to see through the rhetoric and decide whether or not there's sound policy in the bill," said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, who sponsored the legislation. "Keep in mind it's not a mandate on businesses. It just gives them the option to say whether or not they allow firearms in their establishment rather than having the state make the decision for them."
Establishments that don't want guns inside would have to post a sign saying "no firearms allowed" at all entrances.
But that's not good enough for bar and restaurant owners such as Phil Miglino, who runs Nixon's at the Esplanade in Phoenix.
Miglino is hoping for a veto on behalf of Arizona's tourism workers, who outnumber any other industry in the state.
"What do we need? A couple of tourists to get clipped to wake up and realize this is a bad idea." Miglino said.
"You can't expose this many people to that kind of danger.
"If this was limited to concealed-carry permit holders, those are generally responsible people. But in Arizona you can just clip a gun to your side and walk around, and now you are saying those people can just walk into bars."
LaSorte points out that 33 other states already allow firearms in at least some establishments that serve alcohol. And Arizona's law would be among the most stringent, he said. Alaska is the only state among the 33 that does not allow carriers to drink.
"I think the governor should ask (opponents) for hard evidence of any problems that exist in the 33 states," LaSorte said.
"For three years, the industry has never indicated a single problem at any of the other establishments in the 33 states."
A similar bill fell one vote short in the Senate last year, and the debate drew dubious national television attention with a lampooning piece on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This year there was no national media attention but more votes, thanks to a conservative surge in last year's elections.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or (602) 444-8146.
