Walt Baker Discusses Guns in Bars

Walt Baker is the CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, and understands the needs of local businesses. When weighing in on the law allowing guns in restaurants that serve alcohol, Baker has been vocal in expressing his disagreement.

“This is not a right-to-bear arms issue. It's about creating a problem for businesses when there was not one before,” Baker said to press in May. Because Walt Baker’s business is representing restaurants, bars and hotels in Tennessee, he realizes that allowing guns to be in restaurants that serve alcohol will only increase a restaurant’s liability and overall costs.

Walt Baker has also spoken to the Nashville Scene and stating, “We still haven't been able to figure out the problem that existed that caused the need for this legislation...” In other words, Walt Baker, the spokesperson for Tennessee restaurants, agrees with the notion that developing legislation allowing guns to be carried in places where alcohol is served is not only dangerous, but senseless as well.

Baker knows tourists love to visit Tennessee because of its Southern charm, but fears the advent of this law may effect tourism. As Baker put it, “Now Tennessee is going to be looked at as a bunch of gun-toting vigilantes...”

Guns in bars threatens businesses, and puts the burden on the restaurant owner. Walt Baker is working hard to spread the word that guns and alcohol don’t mix.