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"Judge strikes down Tenn. guns in bars law
By Lucas L. Johnson II
Associated Press
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NASHVILLE — A judge ruled Friday that a new law allowing handguns in Tennessee bars and restaurants is unconstitutional.
Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman said the law, enacted earlier this year over the veto of Gov. Phil Bredesen, is "fraught with ambiguity."
She ruled after an hour of arguments in a suit brought by a group of Tennesseans, many of them restaurant owners. The law allowed handgun permit holders to take their weapons into places serving alcohol, providing the establishment makes more than 50 percent of its profits from food.
There was no immediate word from attorneys for the state about an appeal.
The measure took effect July 14. Thirty-seven states had similar legislation at the time.
Many restaurants across the state opted out of the law under a provision allowing them to do so.
The legislation retained an existing ban on consuming alcohol while carrying a handgun.
Nevertheless, critics complained that guns and alcohol in close proximity are a dangerous combination.
Of the roughly 218,000 handgun permit holders in Tennessee, 278 had their permits revoked last year, records showed. Since 2005, state records show nearly 1,200 people have lost their permits.
Rep. Curry Todd, a main sponsor of the measure, said he hadn't seen the ruling but disputed that the law is vague. The Collierville Republican said he will introduce legislation in January to fix any legal problems.
Todd said he will also ask the state attorney general to appeal the ruling."