Packing in a hotel that has a bar?

[DaveTN]

Marswolf that’s like when you see someone claiming that cops support gun control because of something “The International Association of Police Chiefs†or ‘The Teamsters Union†said. Most members of the IACP are administrators, not cops; they have a political agenda. I guess now that the Teamsters represent Metro cops they can now start making statements about what cops support.

Restaurant owners are just regular people like the rest of us. I want their support. Just as the bars that will fold because of the smoking bans; restaurants are the victims here.

[Marswolf]

Restaurant owners are just regular people like the rest of us. I want their support. Just as the bars that will fold because of the smoking bans; restaurants are the victims here.

Well, why don't they come out and support us then? Why don't the owners of Applebee's come out and say the TRA does not represent their views on this issue? I suspect the restaurants don't give a **** about our rights as long as they don't assume increased liability.

Sorry I just don't buy this restaurants as victim deal.

[DaveTN]

Well, why don't they come out and support us then?

They do support us. Many restaurant owners are carry permit holders. I only know one restaurant owner and he is pro gun and pro carry.

Why don't the owners of Applebee's come out and say the TRA does not represent their views on this issue?

Have you asked the owners of any restaurants? Applebee’s is a national chain, I doubt they want to start making political statements on any issue they don’t have to.

I suspect the restaurants don't give a **** about our rights as long as they don't assume increased liability.

You don’t have a right to carry a gun in a restaurant, if Tennessee did away with the liquor/carry law; you still don’t have a right to carry. So this isn’t a rights issue.

Absolutely they are looking out for their liability, as would any business or homeowner.

I have said many times that if you want to carry whever you like; you have to have legislation that frees the business owners from civil responsibility for something you do. I bet as soon as you get that through; you will be able to carry anywhere you like.

If I owned a restaurant (or any other business) I would not feel strongly enough about something that your state does not even recognize as a right to put my family’s business in jeopardy. If I did feel strongly about it, I would put up a sign welcoming permit holders….. after all you would be the one getting arrested; not me.

Sorry I just don't buy this restaurants as victim deal.

Between the smoking ban, the firearms ban, and you suggesting a boycott I would bet many owners would disagree with you.

[Guest c.a.s.]

Well, when the madman in Texas drove his truck through the front of a cafeteria, and then continued to shoot a large number of people, did the cafeteria become liable? No.

I don;t see anything in the 2nd amendment limiting the right to keep and bear arms based on location. I don;t see anytihng in the constitution at all. If a resaurant owner doesn't want me there, fine. I'll probably find out why later and maybe work something out.

Restaurants aren't victims! They are simply the place that something can happen. They can be victims of arson, robbery, and crimes of those sorts, but when someone doesn't pose any threat, and doesn't follow up on that threat, thay aren't victims.

[Marswolf]

My view is that a place that will not petition government to allow me to protect myself and my family is not my friend. I don't patronize my enemies.

[fury2neon]

Speaking for one restaurant there are too many other things to worry about than whether someone else can legally carry in said restaurant. (And I do carry in the restaurant on a regular basis but then its also my home.)

With all the other issues involved in running a business and all the stupid hoops you have to jump through to open a business and all the bureaucrats who walk through wanting a fee for for some new regulation they just thought of it is no wonder that restaurant owners do not fight this one regulation. With all the fees and taxes I am surprised we can stay in business. Not to mention the trouble hiring staff that wont run off all the customers or worse rob you blind.

Yes, you have one issue with the restaurants that you can't legally carry where alcohol is served. The restaurant owner is just trying to keep the doors open and pay the bills and the government (local and state) are doing their best to try stop said restaurant from operating.

Personally, I think there are too many more important battles to fight, like getting the Fair Tax passed so we do away with the IRS.

[Marswolf]

There are lots of important issues. Ignoring one that is very important to me is not the way to get me in the door to spend my money. TRA member restaurants need to make an issue of supporting packers, not opposing them.

[fury2neon]

TRA is a waste of money for us because they only support issues restaurants in the big cities are pushing for. And usually that means making it harder on us as a businesses in a small town.

If we get something like the Fair Tax past it will mean more and more powers can be returned to the states and taken out Federal control. Tennessee has come a long way for gun rights in a very short period of time and there are lawmakers that want to expand carry rights. Gun carry rights are on the forefront for the GOP and the Dems in Tennessee because the gun vote carries the state.

The problem is that a lot of politicians have no idea what it takes to run a small business with limited funds when all they see is how they can spend all of our money anyway they want. We need a lot fewer laws and agencies and lot more of the free market.