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Raleigh, N.C. — A bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in public parks and greenways across the state and in restaurants where is alcohol is served is drawing passionate arguments on both sides of the issue.
Supporters point to the Second Amendment, while opponents say they can't believe such a bill is being discussed.
The state House voted earlier this week in favor of House Bill 111, which is one of several proposed laws that would loosen gun restrictions. It now goes to the Senate.
Randy Mann took his two sons fishing at Lake Johnson Park in Raleigh Saturday. Under HB 111, people with a permit could bring concealed handguns to that park, but Mann says it doesn't bother him.
"As long as they had it concealed and it wasn't loaded," he said.
Park-goer Carl Nelson disagreed.
"It's a family place. There's no need for it," he said. "I wouldn't think anyone would approve such a bill."
The same debate is circling in restaurants where alcohol is served. The bill forbids anyone from consuming alcohol if they have a concealed, permitted weapon in a restaurant.
Several people at Sammy's Tap and Grill in Raleigh said handguns and alcohol don't mix.
"I can't believe that's even coming up for consideration," said Sammy's patron Mike Derrico.
"That's scary. People get drunk, and they get crazy sometimes," said Rachael Heath.
Her husband, Rick, however, was on the opposite side of the debate.
"If someone gets a concealed weapon permit, I don't see anything wrong with being able to bring it in to an establishment like this," he said.
Nelson thinks lawmakers are playing with fire in considering the bill.
"I think it's calling for trouble, unnecessary trouble that no one needs," he said.
If the bill becomes law, it would take effect in December.
Other gun-related proposals being considered in the legislature include House Bill 227, which loosens restrictions on buying handguns in other states; House Bill 63, which allows employees to lock guns inside their cars at work; and House Bill 390, which would do away with the requirement for a local permit to purchase a pistol.
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I hope this bill passes! There were a lot fewer stupid people walking the street when everyone carried guns in the old days! :)
April 6, 2011 6:38 p.m.
April 5, 2011 11:49 a.m.
April 5, 2011 11:45 a.m.
John Landers, 45, was the customer who walked up to the gun-wielding masked robber, 18-year-old Johnny Jean-Baptiste, when the restaurant's clerk was being robbed at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
According to police, Jean-Baptiste wore a ski mask when he walked into the Burger King at Northwest 54th Street and Biscayne Boulevard armed with a gun. It was a time, employees said, when it is usually crowded with schoolchildren and people getting out of work early. Jean-Baptiste then approached the counter, pointed his tiny semiautomatic Bryco .380 towards the restaurant's employees and demanded money.
That's when Landers, armed with a concealed weapons permit and his 9mm Glock 19, asked Jean-Baptiste to put the gun down, according to the police report.
Jean-Baptiste refused and began firing his gun and Landers shot back, police re
April 5, 2011 11:31 a.m.
April 5, 2011 10:06 a.m.