JayC

Well, there are a couple of issues with your logic. First, in the state of TN there isn't a 'bar' liquor license. With the exception of special events, and 'other' (which are strictly limited to certain government owned/operated and non-profit organizations, large tourist resorts) there are no 'bars' in the state of TN. So, virtually all of those 'pure bars' and saloons have been issued 'restaurant liquor licenses' under state law, and as such meet all the requirements of this bill as verified by the state. See, TN law requires all 'restaurant' liquor licenses to serve food, and provide at least 75 seats for their customers to eat. And they verify this requirement as part of issuing the license. So under the current wording of this bill, with one small exception if they've been issued a restaurant liquor license they meet all the requirements (note, liquor license requires you to serve food 4 days a week not 5, so a very small number of businesses could have an issue if they're only open 4 days a week, or only server food 4 days a week but I suspect that is very rare). I don't think anybody here is suggesting you go out and get drunk while carrying... but I can think of some traditional 'bars' I might want to go into from time to time, and enjoy things other than drinking. Maybe, I want to play darts, or billiards with some buddies after work... there are lots of valid reasons to go to a 'bar' after work and not drink.

True, but keep in mind, that the current definition for restaurant is very good for us, I spoke with one of the folks at the ABC board today and they told me well over 90% of liquor licenses are 'restaurant liquor licenses'... They didn't have an exact percentage but she said the number of hotel, other, and special event are very few. Still leaves some grey area on businesses that only serve beer, or wine... but the vast majority of the places most of us will go are safe to carry under this bill.

IANAL, but here is what the bill says... So, lets go look at that section of the current TN code... ( Michie's Legal Resources ) So, as per my layman understanding of the way the bill is currently worded with the age-restriction language included, unless they card at the door, and verify your ID, and they only allow 21+ in, then it's not an age restricted venue. If they card and let 18 year olds in, not age restricted as per this bill.Basically, you're right if they just have a sign up, or it doesn't count under this bill. (Or any other bill/law using 39-17-1802 as it's definition.

As the bill is currently written, unless they card at the door, it's not an age restricted restaurant under this bill.

Your post was talking about % of sales... I was just pointing out that by the fact a restaurant has a liquor license, the state of TN has verified it meets virtually all of the requirements of this bill. Which is going t include places like bowling alley's, bars, and movie theaters. As for places that only sell beer, you're right those are only regulated by local beer boards... And those establishments in dry counties my well pose a problem under this bill, but the vast major of people going to restaurants in cities will be going to establishments with 'restaurant liquor licenses'. My point again is that the current wording in cases where the establishment serves liquor takes all the worry off of us as HCP holders, because the state has already verified all the conditions to carry. While I'm sure there will be some places here and there that don't serve liquor but do serve beer, the fact remains it's very hard making a living running a bar that can't serve liquor. A large chunk of those places in a dry county will meet the bills requirements as well. (Because like a pizza place that sells beer, the vast majority of the sales are going to be for pizza not beer).

I have to disagree, the wording from the bill comes from the current legal definition of a restaurant liquor license. (With 1 minor exception that the liquor license only requires meals 4 days a week not 5) The good news is the way the law is worded the state has verified that every establishment with a 'restaurant liquor license' meets the requirement for carry under this bill. (With the exception for the 4 days vs 5 days a week, carding persons over 21, and legal posting) I wrote a fairly in dept post over at tfaonline that highlights the different types of liquor licenses, and how they impact this bill. Tennessee Firearms Assoc. Inc. • View topic - SB1127 (HB0962) Restaurant bill approved by Sen. Jud. The short answer is that virtually every free standing building which serves liquor has a "restaurant liquor license" and therefore unless they only serve meals 4 days a week, card at the door for persons 21+ years of age, or have a properly worded posting barring firearms, once this bill becomes law HCP holders will be able to carry in them. Most of the places you're talking about bowling alleys, "bars", movie theaters (some exception here for 501c3 community theaters), and just about all the common establishments all have 'restaurant liquor licenses' and therefore the state have verified all of the required conditions for you (again with the noted exceptions above).