Arizona House votes to OK guns in bars, restaurants
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:03 pmApril 28, 2004
The Associated Press
PHOENIX - The House approved a bill Wednesday to make it legal to take guns in bars and restaurants if the bearers aren't drinking alcohol and if the establishments don't opt out.
Arizona now bans possession of firearms in bars and restaurants that sell alcohol.
Under the bill (SB1210), bars and other liquor-license holders still could exclude guns from their premises but only if they post notices at entrances.
The bill is a high priority on the National Rifle Association's wish list for the current legislative session. It faces opposition from industry groups for bars and restaurants.
The bill now goes to the Senate where similar legislation was heard by a committee but not voted on earlier in the legislative session.
The House's 35-18 vote was nearly along party lines, with most Republicans voting for it and Democrats against.
Wednesday's vote followed minimal debate though supporters and opponents thoroughly aired their views last week when the House considered the amendments.
Supporters said current law tramples on the constitutional rights of law-abiding people who want to carry guns for self-protection and who could become criminals inadvertently if they didn't realize a restaurant sells alcohol.
Opponents said the bill could lead to confrontations in bars, could subject restaurant owners to pressure to allow guns and result in higher insurance premiums.