Guns in bars- constitutional right or dangerous situation?
It has only been law for almost two weeks, but the debate over allowing concealed weapons in bars is still raging. For defenders of the second amendment, allowing permit holders to bring their weapons into a bar or restaurant, without anyone knowing, is a constitutional right. For gun control advocates it is a recipe for a dangerous situation.
Wednesday on NBC12 First at 4, we heard from both sides of this contentious issue. Both Phillip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League and Richmond bartender Jack Lauterback are on the front lines of this debate. Van Cleave leads an organization of 14 thousand Virginians who work to defend the second amendment. His group heavily lobbied the General Assembly to get the bill passed. Lauterback tends bar at some of Richmond’s hottest downtown haunts and writes about his experience on his blog and for Style Weekly.
You can see our discussion below:
You can also read an entire transcript of the exchange on our main site, NBC12.com.
