This Isn't The O.K. Corral

Bars are great. You can drink and catch up with friends, drink and watch the big game, drink and eat delicious food, or just drink. There are a few things, however, that you don’t ever want to do in a bar. You never want to drink too much, get into a fight or you know, bring a loaded firearm into a bar.

Wait... what!?

That’s right, there’s a bill that’s being reviewed by our SC State Legislature allowing anyone with a concealed weapons permit to bring a gun into a bar or restaurant, as long as they don’t drink. The bill has passed 34 to 3 in the Senate and is now headed to the House for final review. After that, all Gov. Nikki Haley has to do is sign it into law and your favorite downtown Charleston bar could turn into the O.K Corral.

This isn’t the Wild West. Usually, the fewer weapons present at a place of business, the safer, right? It’s like the "No Smoking" signs on airlines. Is that really necessary? Hasn’t that been outlawed for a few decades? An illustration only to prove the point that guns haven’t belonged in bars since, I don’t know, the 1800’s?

Who is going to keep all of these concealed side arm carrying patrons accountable? Is every bartender going to have to check the belts and purses of anyone who orders a drink? What if someone else is buying rounds? What if the owner of said side arm forgets they have it, and drowns their long week with drinks, and then gets into an argument?

It’s a recipe for disaster and the possibilities for bad things happening are endless. Alcohol and guns don’t mix, so why allow guns into the establishments made for serving alcohol? It’s not rocket science, it’s common sense.

Activists around the state are up in arms about this bill, and some are even doing things to stop it. If you feel strongly enough to do something about this bill, you should contact your legislators here www.scstatehouse.gov/ and tell them how you feel.

Front image via Washingtonpost.com