THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9503310019
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Many years ago out west, an angry drinker lost control of himself and threw his dog at the bartender.
Syndicated columnist Mike Royko read about the toss and suggested that, if the violence continued, dogs might have to be checked at the door.
Royko's funny old column springs to mind because of one of Governor Allen's preferences. He'd like for Virginians with concealed-weapons permits to continue to be allowed to carry handguns into bars. The rules would remain: Dogs keep out; guns allowed.
Frankly, we'd feel safer drinking with dogs handy than guns. It's easier to duck a dog than a bullet.
We're especially concerned because the the number of Virginians with concealed-weapons permits presumably will increase by thousands, if not tens of thousands, beginning July 1, when a new governor-backed law will force judges to issue permits to virtually any law-abiding resident 21 or older.
Earlier this year, the legislature, obviously also worried about having more guns mixing with alcohol, amended the governor's concealed-weapons bill to bar concealed weapons from businesses and events with licenses to serve alcohol.
But Allen is amending the bill, himself, to go back to allowing hanguns in bars.
The legislature will uphold or override the governor's amendment at its special session Wednesday.
Proponents of carrying concealed weapons into bars have asked, What's the use of having a concealed-weapons permit if you can't take your handgun into restaurants or bars?
But even in the wild, wild West, cowboys often had to check their guns when they entered a saloon.
Isn't it odd to say we cannot drink and drive, because we'd endanger others, but we can drink at a bar while packing a gun?
Alcohol changes people's personalities, often for the worse, and dulls their judgment. If two drunks must argue over which channel to watch on the TV set over the bar, it's better they settle things with fists than guns.
We hope the legislature sticks by its guns, or rather, its opposition to guns in bars.
KEYWORDS: GUNS CONCEALED WEAPONS by CNB