Guns Now Legal in Arizona Bars

Today is the day that Arizonans can add one more scary thing about living in the Southwest United States to their already long list: If they stop in for a glass of wine or a beer in their local drinking establishment, they might sit next to someone packing heat.

Guns in Bars Okay with Two Restrictions

The National Rifle Association backed passage of a bill that now allows a concealed firearm into a bar. That means that 138,350 people with concealed-weapons permits in Arizona have new freedoms. There are two restrictions:

1) If a bar has "no firearm" signage, a weapon is not allowed

2) Anyone packing is not allowed to drink alcohol

In regard to restriction #1, An article on MSNBC, released by Associated Press today entitled, "Guns OK in Arizona bars starting Wednesday" explains the penalty, "Taking a gun into a bar banning the weapons would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500." However the article also explains that there is a big hole in the restriction. Gun owners who bring weapons into a bar where signs weren't posted more than 30 days prior, or had fallen down were exempt. As well, an out-of-towner was exempt from the law.

In regard to #2, why is someone going into a bar when they can't drink alcohol? I am personally a light drinker, and can go out and not drink, but the type of person who would bring a concealed weapon into a bar is usually not the type to drink iced tea, unless they are an on-duty cop.

I have lived in Arizona all of my life, and honestly, am aghast at this. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States, not some one horse western town. We have crime issues, border issues, domestic abuse and drunken driving deaths. What further amazes me is that the Associated Press article explains that 40 other states have similar statutes.

The Argument For Allowing Guns in Bars

The argument FOR this new statute is that if a dangerous situation arises and someone has a concealed weapon, the place is safer because the gun owner can protect himself and others. Going along with this angle, and assuming that the gun owner can keep his head during the crisis, I can see where sane citizens having handguns in an establishment that is suddenly taken down by a crazed gunman, might be beneficial.

As well, a woman alone might find having a concealed handgun tucked in her purse might give her an increased feeling of safety against forcible abduction or rape attempt.

The Argument Against Guns in Bars

However, the more likely situation is that borderline crazy, jealous or overly competitive men, fueled by alcohol and testosterone, will get into a scuffle, lose their cool and a gun will be whipped out.

I've seen every type of fight imaginable in Phoenix bars; fights between two bull riders after a rodeo, between spring training ball players and cowboys, between a husband and wife, between a jealous ex-husband and his ex-wife's new boyfriend, and between drunks and the bouncer at the door. I've seen scary men yell at women because they turned him down for a dance. I've watched people pass out, vomit, fall off bar stools and throw glasses. And these were not sleazy honky tonks! What flashes through my mind is what could have occurred had a gun been available during one of these out-of-control situations.

Come on! Citizens of Arizona and the United States have a right to bear arms, but what about the logic of this? Booze and guns is a lethal mixture. I have made up my mind that if a bar does not have that "No Firearms" sign by their front door, I won't set foot inside! Let all the armed, paranoid people who think they need those guns strapped to their leg have fun together, NOT drinking in a bar.

That does not sound like a fun place to me!

Resources:

MSNBC - Associated Press Article, "Guns OK in Arizona bars starting Wednesday" - September 30, 2009