Beer and Bullets

A new piece of legislation recently went into effect in Tennessee, which goes into effect on July 14, 2009. This legislation will make it possible for those with a permit to carry a weapon to legally enter a bar or any restaurant where alcohol is sold with their weapon on them. What the hell are they thinking? I mean, in what reality do they think that it is a good idea to place a weapon in the hands of someone drinking, drunk or even around a bunch of people that are. Honestly, the fact that alcohol diminishes a person's inhibitions in any situation has been documented and recorded in thousands of ways.

It is beyond my scope of understanding to imagine what can possibly be achieved by adding guns into a situation where people's inhibitions are temporarily gone, and their emotional state can quickly become volatile! The consequences for not only people who frequent the regular bars, but for families who decide to enjoy a meal together in a restaurant could be outrageous. I mean, to me it is just unthinkable.

Then factor in when there is an actual problem at one of the establishments that have security in place. How much does the risk for the people working security increase when the patrons are as likely to have a weapon as they are? What about if the police have to be called? How much will the risk to the officers picking up an armed and intoxicated person be versus someone who is intoxicated but unarmed?

It is often debated and discussed the harmful side effects that one piece of legislation can actually have on a community. The passing of this legislation allowing the mixing of alcohol and being armed could have not only negative consequences for Tennessee as a whole, but could in fact be the cause of the death of some of our citizens, and while I would never go so far as to say that every citizen is a delight to be around, does that really mean that going into a restaurant should literally mean risking their life?

I was brought up in a home where guns, and the idea of every citizen having the right to arm and protect themselves was not only appreciated, but also defended. I still agree with this sentiment to the very core of my being, if we take the guns out of the hands of common citizens it means only the criminals will be armed. I also believe to the very core of who I am that giving a drunk or drinking person the right to carry a weapon legally is putting not only their life at risk, but the life of every person that they encounter as well.