Gail Kerr Weighs In

Gail Kerr recently wrote a thought provoking column for The Tennessean about the Restaurant Carry Law. Kerr suggests it may be safer AND more cost effective for businesses to “opt in” and allow guns in bars, rather than “opt out.” That way, guns are allowed in bars that welcome them, and the responsibility rests on those who desire it.

As stated in previous posts, the Restaurant Carry Law puts a great burden on restaurant/bar owners and workers. With the new law, liability increases, as does insurance and security measures. Restaurants that allow guns in their establishments are at risk of increasing insurance rates. But restaurants that don’t allow guns in their establishments are expected to provide additional security to ensure the law is enforced.

Gail Kerr offers a better solution. “...change the law back. Ban guns from parks, restaurants and bars, unless their owners opt to let them in. Require them to 'opt in' by posting a sign saying 'Concealed Handguns Welcome for Permit Holders Only.' Let them pay for the insurance necessary to cover the potential liability costs.”

The idea is a novel one, because it allows those who fear the needless law the ability to keep guns out of their establishments, without rising costs trickling down to their customers. Those that feel gun owners should be able to carry their guns into bars/restaurants can absorb insurance and liability costs. It’s a simple and reasonable alternative to widely debated and possibly dangerous legislature.

To read the full story visit the Tennessean.com