Remove Concealed Handguns From Clubs and Restaurants

We, the Undersigned, petition the Commonwealth of Virginia to rescind the current law permitting persons with concealed gun permits to carry their firearms into restaurants and clubs that serve alcohol. We believe that there are significant benefits in prohibiting the presence of concealed firearms in restaurants or clubs that serve alcohol and our reasons for this belief are briefly summarized in the paragraphs below.

First, permitting concealed firearms in clubs or restaurants that serve alcohol will significantly increase the probability that a physical altercation will escalate into a deadly encounter. Even if the gun holder does not consume alcohol, the mere presence of a firearm will intensify any confrontation that physically involves a gun holder. If the non holder feels the presence of a firearm during a skirmish, the combatant will cease fighting for pride and begin fighting for his/her life.

Second, permitting concealed firearms in restaurants and clubs creates an additional hazard for law enforcement personnel. If this law is passed, any police officer who responds to a disturbance at a restaurant or club must now assume that the parties involved have a concealed firearm. This justified preparedness will invariably lead to harsher treatment by police officers towards crowds and persons tangentially involved in a physical altercation at a club or restaurant.

Finally, permitting concealed weapons in restaurants and clubs will create a new financial burden to businesses subject to the proposed concealed carry law and an added cost to persons who attend the aforementioned establishments. Added risk created by the new law will likely increase the cost of club/restaurant security and insurance premiums. Restaurant and club patrons will share the new operational cost in the form of increased prices.

We, the undersigned, urge the law making officials and advocates of the People of Virginia, to remove this law from consideration and continue to prohibit concealed weapons in bars, restaurants, and clubs that serve alcohol.