Hey, what do you now, Tennesseans love the hell out of some guns, but not at their local Applebees....
Seven in 10 voters said they oppose the law passed earlier this year that lets holders of handgun-carry permits take their weapons into any establishment that sells alcohol. Supporters of the gun law say it will make the state safer, but voters said in interviews that the prospect of guns mixing with alcohol is too dangerous.
Rep. Curry Todd complains that the poll isn't fair because it doesn't make clear the fact that restaurants can opt out of their patrons packing heat...but that doesn't really matter because the initial reaction of voters is what makes the difference. If you poll the individual elements of the health care reform package, people generally are favorable...ask them about Obamacare or just the Health Care reform act, and you get different numbers.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised by these numbers. I don't really have that much of a problem with the bill. After all, its still illegal to drink and carry your weapon, and those who do drink and carry their gun were probably already going into bars and restaurants before the law. What it allows is for those paranoid white people who have visions of shit popping off at the most random times the comfort and security of knowing that if a terrorist decides to take O'Charley's hostage...they'll be prepared to stop 'em.
Having said that, if this bill, out of all the right-wingery emanating from the legislature the past two years, is the one that can shave off a few votes here and there to put the Democrats in charge of the House...so be it.
(h/t JR)