FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 6/17/2009) A popular entertainment venue in Memphis is about to make big changes.
A new state law allowing guns inside bars and restaurants is set to take effect next month. Today Beale Street announced it's not only going to ban weapons in every one of its establishments, its security staff will search folks as well.
Performa Entertainment and the Beale Street Merchants Association have been working for weeks on a way to combat the new bill.
"Many of the legislators who voted for this bill live in rural areas," said John Elkington, CEO of Performa Entertainment.
Starting next month, every restaurant and bar on Beale will have a sign stating "No Guns Allowed" posted in its window. Anyone coming through the white barriers will be searched for weapons.
"We're not going to ask people to check their guns at the door, we're basically going to prevent people from bringing concealed weapons into the establishment," said Elkington.
Restaurant owners say it boils down to safety
"People lose their temper a lot typically when they have too much to drink," said restaurant owner Preston Lamm.
"It doesn't give us the responsibility for enforcement but it does give us the liability if there's a breach of enforcement," said Onzie Horne, Jr. of the Beale Street Merchants Association.
But gun owners like Tom Givens say the folks on Beale have other safety issues they should be focusing on.
"Apparently it didn't occur to people on Beale Street, to have a sign that says you can't drive your car after you've been in here drinking, that's a much bigger problem in my mind," said Tom Givens, an instructor at Rangemaster.
Banning guns all-together, he says, isn't the answer.
"The small percentage who have carry permits are not the ones causing problems on Beale Street," he said.
The new security measures will start being enforced July 17, just a few days after the state law kicks in.
- New state law allowing guns in restaurants that serve alcohol
- Next month Beale St. security will screen customers for weapons
- Guns are banned from every establishment on Beale
(Memphis 6/17/2009) A popular entertainment venue in Memphis is about to make big changes.
A new state law allowing guns inside bars and restaurants is set to take effect next month. Today Beale Street announced it's not only going to ban weapons in every one of its establishments, its security staff will search folks as well.
Performa Entertainment and the Beale Street Merchants Association have been working for weeks on a way to combat the new bill.
"Many of the legislators who voted for this bill live in rural areas," said John Elkington, CEO of Performa Entertainment.
Starting next month, every restaurant and bar on Beale will have a sign stating "No Guns Allowed" posted in its window. Anyone coming through the white barriers will be searched for weapons.
"We're not going to ask people to check their guns at the door, we're basically going to prevent people from bringing concealed weapons into the establishment," said Elkington.
Restaurant owners say it boils down to safety
"People lose their temper a lot typically when they have too much to drink," said restaurant owner Preston Lamm.
"It doesn't give us the responsibility for enforcement but it does give us the liability if there's a breach of enforcement," said Onzie Horne, Jr. of the Beale Street Merchants Association.
But gun owners like Tom Givens say the folks on Beale have other safety issues they should be focusing on.
"Apparently it didn't occur to people on Beale Street, to have a sign that says you can't drive your car after you've been in here drinking, that's a much bigger problem in my mind," said Tom Givens, an instructor at Rangemaster.
Banning guns all-together, he says, isn't the answer.
"The small percentage who have carry permits are not the ones causing problems on Beale Street," he said.
The new security measures will start being enforced July 17, just a few days after the state law kicks in.
