Uncle points us to a poll asking if you feel safer in a restaurant that allows guns or not. Seems like the bill has passed as it is, which is good, but the comments and general PSH from the Commercial Appeal is a sight to behold.
First, 80% of the states allow for carrying a weapon into a place that serves alcohol. 80% of states do not have shootouts every 13 minutes from drunks pissed that they're out of Beer Nuts. The shootouts they claim will happen haven't happened anywhere else, period. If they were such a problem, there wouldn't be that 80% number.
Second, I love the business owners who aren't too happy with having to put up a sign denying their patrons the right to defend themselves with the best tools possible. This mindset is an extension of Not In My Back Yard, to include NIYBYE (Not In Your Back Yard Either).
You see, restaurant owners want your money. They will do everything in their power to make sure you drop in, grab a bite to eat, and leave cash behind. When they have a personal preference against something, say firearms, they are totally within their right to ban them from their premises. The problem is, and they know this, is that their competitors that don't ban them will gain the business they lose. So instead of risking that, they want to force their competitors to have to ban the icky things they don't want in theirs.
Many business owners fear the free market. It's easier to hobble your competition than it is to out perform them. So when you hear these cowards complain that they don't want to display signs, it has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with trying to force their beliefs on everywhere else.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to lunch where I can carry my pistol, even though they serve beer.