House Votes to Overturn Guns in Bars Veto

Tennessee House members voted Wednesday to override the governor’s veto of a law allowing gun-carriers to go into restaurants that serve alcohol.

Former House speaker Jimmy Naifeh, a gun-carry permit holder himself, asked his colleagues to uphold the gubernatorial veto.

“We should listen to the police chiefs. We should listen to our local district attorney generals, our sheriffs, all of our local law enforcement. All of these people are opposed to this bill.”

…including, Naifeh says, the restaurant industry itself.

House Republican Caucus Chair Glen Casada of Williamson County urged members to vote again for letting Tennesseans carry guns even where alcohol is sold.

“You see I believe – a firm believer – that an armed citizen is a safe citizen.”

The override easily passed with 69 votes – three more than the original bill got when it passed the House the first time. The same override is expected in the Senate as early as Thursday.

Governor Bredesen’s office issued a statement following the House vote, saying he expected the override all along. Bredesen says he’s disappointed but still believes guns and bars don’t mix.