FAST FACTS:
melissa.moon@wreg.com
(Memphis 6/10/09) July 14th, it will be legal to carry guns in Tennessee bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, but don't expect to get one foot on Beale Street with a firearm.
Those in the entertainment district are putting up signs and beefing up security to make sure patrons aren't armed.
Signs will be going up all along Beale street on July 17th days after the state's new law goes into effect.
Signs with specific language and an emblem letting restaurant and bar patrons know guns will not be allowed inside.
Coyote Ugly already screens customers who come through the doors, but plans to post a sign at every entrance of the club.
The bottom line.. managers say guns and alcohol don't mix.
"We want every to come in and feel safe and have a good time and not worry about violence in our club," said Judith Parra.
Along with the signs, the Beale Street Merchant's Association and Performa Entertainment, the group that manages Beale, plan to screen everyone who steps on the street.
Anyone who enters any one of the nearly dozen entrances to Beale will get the once over with a metal detector.
Last year merchants paid around $300,000 for private security and say the new measures could nearly double that.
"It's an expensive process, but it's is the only thing we know to do to ensure our patrons are safe," said Onzie Horne with the Beale Street Merchant's Association.
Last weekend 5 people were shot outside the plush club, which is sits just outside the Beale Street Entertainment District..
Those who work along Beale want to make sure nothing like that happens near their businesses.
"I have a permit to carry and and I would never consider bringing a gun in a restaurant or bar that is not a place for it to be," said Judith Parra, manager of Coyote Ugly.
"Since security here will double, The Beale Street Merchant's Association doesn't expect there to be longer lines at the Beale Street entrances. For more news updates from the field follow me on Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/melissamoon3.
- On July 14th it will be legal to carry handguns in TN bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
- Despite the new law, guns are being banned on Beale Street
- Everyone who enters the street will be screened for weapons
melissa.moon@wreg.com
(Memphis 6/10/09) July 14th, it will be legal to carry guns in Tennessee bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, but don't expect to get one foot on Beale Street with a firearm.
Those in the entertainment district are putting up signs and beefing up security to make sure patrons aren't armed.
Signs will be going up all along Beale street on July 17th days after the state's new law goes into effect.
Signs with specific language and an emblem letting restaurant and bar patrons know guns will not be allowed inside.
Coyote Ugly already screens customers who come through the doors, but plans to post a sign at every entrance of the club.
The bottom line.. managers say guns and alcohol don't mix.
"We want every to come in and feel safe and have a good time and not worry about violence in our club," said Judith Parra.
Along with the signs, the Beale Street Merchant's Association and Performa Entertainment, the group that manages Beale, plan to screen everyone who steps on the street.
Anyone who enters any one of the nearly dozen entrances to Beale will get the once over with a metal detector.
Last year merchants paid around $300,000 for private security and say the new measures could nearly double that.
"It's an expensive process, but it's is the only thing we know to do to ensure our patrons are safe," said Onzie Horne with the Beale Street Merchant's Association.
Last weekend 5 people were shot outside the plush club, which is sits just outside the Beale Street Entertainment District..
Those who work along Beale want to make sure nothing like that happens near their businesses.
"I have a permit to carry and and I would never consider bringing a gun in a restaurant or bar that is not a place for it to be," said Judith Parra, manager of Coyote Ugly.
"Since security here will double, The Beale Street Merchant's Association doesn't expect there to be longer lines at the Beale Street entrances. For more news updates from the field follow me on Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/melissamoon3.
