If passed, Senate Bill 17 will allow concealed carry permit holders to take guns into bars and restaurants. Something bar owners are not excited about.
Jody Franklin has owned and operated Mulligan's bar in downtown Lima for the last four years. During that time he has been lucky to avoid any major conflicts. According to Franklin, while voices have been raised arguments have never escalated beyond that. Still, he fears mixing alcohol and guns in his bar.
Ron Ferguson is a Mulligan's patron and a licensed gun owner. He is a staunch supporter of the 2nd amendment which gives Americans the right to bear arms. He agrees that guns and alcohol do not mix, but sees a positive of allowing weapons.
State law enforcement all agree that this would be a difficult law to deal with. Complaints are that it will be difficult to police. Most importantly, officers do not want to know that they could be walking into a place where intoxicated people have guns.
The proposed legislation does allow businesses to prohibit guns from their establishments by simply having signs up stating it.
