Firearms in Restaurants

[2/14/2005]

Judiciary Senate Standing Committee:

[My wife and I] would like to inform you of our support for SB 1363, and to ask you for the same. Allowing the carry of firearms by law-abiding citizens into restaurants makes it safer for everyone. Law-abiding citizens who are carrying a firearm will no longer have to handle their firearm to unload it and remove it from their person before entering the establishment. They will no longer have to handle it to reload it and place it back on their person after leaving the establishment. They will be able to remain in control of the firearm instead of leaving it unattended in their vehicles where it can be stolen and therefore put into the hands of a criminal. Also, establishments that serve alcohol are far from immune to violent crime, and law-abiding citizens should have a right to self-defense while dining.

We also support the restriction of the sale of alcohol to persons carrying a firearm, just as we support legal blood alcohol limits on drivers.

We would like to ask your support of SB 1363.

[Signature and address]