Virginia gun-rights enthusiasts celebrate Va. law on firearms in bars

[Derechos]

When Anthony Dahm visited Champps Americana restaurant and bar Thursday, his menu of options had doubled: Thanks to a change in Virginia's gun laws, he could carry a semiautomatic handgun hidden behind the pouch holding his children's allergy medicine -- as well as the one worn openly on his hip -- without fear of committing a crime.

That was cause enough for Dahm to celebrate at the Reston restaurant with about 80 other members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun-rights organization that had long pushed for the new law, which allows people with concealed-weapon permits to go armed in places that serve alcohol as long as they don't imbibe.

Dahm, 44, a stay-at-home father from Vienna, said he seldom drinks and would rather run from a confrontation than shoot, yet the law gives him peace of mind that he can pack a friend in restaurants such as Champps.

The measure, popularly known as "guns-in-bars," took effect Thursday. After years of trying, the VCDL pushed the bill through the General Assembly this year and onto the desk of Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), who signed it. Similar measures were vetoed twice by his predecessor, Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat whose grimmest days in office followed the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202929.html

[abluelady]

1. One Less Freedom for Me

I'm going to think long and hard when I choose to eat out. Guess I'll tend towards the "elitist" restaurants so my fears migh be less.

[sofa king]

2. What could possibly go wrong?

On the other hand, I know an absurd number of Virginians who already have their concealed carry permits, and since no bar in town frisks, I have long since assumed that they are all packing at the bar, anyway.

I know I won't make any friends by saying this, but I know of at least one fellow whose violent predilections mysteriously vanish whenever he's packing. I think it's because it makes him feel safe and powerful, or maybe the known repercussions for misusing his privilege somehow moderate his behavior.