Virginia "Restaurant Ban" Repealed?

ScottRiqui · April 14, 2010, 10:36 AM

If I'm reading this bill-tracking link correctly, it appears that the Governor has signed SB 334 into law, and that as of July 1st of this year, CHL holders in Virginia will be able to carry concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol (but will not be allowed to consume alcohol while carrying.)

There was a bunch of news coverage and blog/forum posting when the bill passed the Virginia House and Senate, but other than this bill-tracking site, I haven't heard a peep about it since the Governor signed the bill.

http://leg6.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...?101+sum+SB334

If the ban has in fact been repealed, this is great news - we've been trying to get this done for years! Prior to this, we had to either leave our guns behind or switch to open-carry before entering a restaurant.

Mr. James · April 14, 2010, 11:39 AM

You are reading it correctly. The loathesome "restaurant ban" will die as of 1 July 2010.

Now, not that I'm encouraging such behavior, but it appears you would be able to carry openly - and drink - or carry concealed and abstain. Hmmm. Of course, our betters exempted all law enforcement and Commonwealth's attorneys from the ETOH-free provision. Hmmm, I say again.

ZeSpectre · April 14, 2010, 11:53 AM

I'm so happy I could bust. We won't go into the defeats I've been handed but my two pet political projects have both come to fruition! FIRST was the carry in parks (my focus for over 5 years) and NOW the correction to the Va Restaurant carry laws (my focus for three years).

(See also the NRA page) http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=5720

I feel like a winner today

This law will take effect July 1, 2010.

ScottRiqui · April 14, 2010, 11:58 AM

I'm pretty jazzed, too. On a related note, Governor McDonnell also signed a bill that will allow us to renew our concealed-carry permits through the mail, so that will hopefully save me some time in January.

sonick808 · April 14, 2010, 12:02 PM

congrats Virginia

Al Norris · April 14, 2010, 02:28 PM

Congratulations, Guys.

It's been a lot of work.

johnbt · April 14, 2010, 03:27 PM

Yay, I live downtown in Richmond's Fan District and can walk to 100 or 200 restaurants and shops. Now I can go out after dark for a bite to eat.

A view of Monument Avenue.

John

Standing Wolf · April 14, 2010, 06:30 PM

Well done, Virginians!

vel525 · April 23, 2010, 11:25 AM

I was just randomly wondering whatever happened with this! This makes my Friday even better!

**Mike Irwin** · April 23, 2010, 01:52 PM

Remember, and remind everyone you know, JULY FIRST is the first day that this will be legal.

If you or anyone else carries concealed in a restaurant, you are liable to arrest, and it's not an affirmative defense in Virginia to say that the "law will change 1 July."

Glock_19 · April 30, 2010, 09:50 PM

Absolutely amazing, now I just wonder what will happen with DC.

ncpatriot · April 30, 2010, 11:01 PM

Congratulations VA!! It's been discussed for NC, but a few Democrats in the legislature keep it from being brought to a vote. Your victory will give us a little new ammo in our fight. If it works out well for you, we have a good example from a neighboring state.

April 14, 2010, 10:36 AM	#1
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Virginia "Restaurant Ban" Repealed? If I'm reading this bill-tracking link correctly, it appears that the Governor has signed SB 334 into law, and that as of July 1st of this year, CHL holders in Virginia will be able to carry concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol (but will not be allowed to consume alcohol while carrying.) There was a bunch of news coverage and blog/forum posting when the bill passed the Virginia House and Senate, but other than this bill-tracking site, I haven't heard a peep about it since the Governor signed the bill. http://leg6.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...?101+sum+SB334 If the ban has in fact been repealed, this is great news - we've been trying to get this done for years! Prior to this, we had to either leave our guns behind or switch to open-carry before entering a restaurant. Last edited by ScottRiqui; April 14, 2010 at 10:43 AM.

April 14, 2010, 11:39 AM	#2
Mr. James Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2001 Location: The Old Dominion Posts: 1,521	You are reading it correctly. The loathesome "restaurant ban" will die as of 1 July 2010. Now, not that I'm encouraging such behavior, but it appears you would be able to carry openly - and drink - or carry concealed and abstain. Hmmm. Of course, our betters exempted all law enforcement and Commonwealth's attorneys from the ETOH-free provision. Hmmm, I say again. __________________ "...A humble and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Ps. li "When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." —Frederic Bastiat

April 14, 2010, 11:53 AM	#3
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	I'm so happy I could bust. We won't go into the defeats I've been handed but my two pet political projects have both come to fruition! FIRST was the carry in parks (my focus for over 5 years) and NOW the correction to the Va Restaurant carry laws (my focus for three years). (See also the NRA page) http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=5720 I feel like a winner today This law will take effect July 1, 2010. __________________ "The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on" Last edited by ZeSpectre; April 14, 2010 at 12:00 PM.

April 14, 2010, 06:30 PM	#8
Standing Wolf Member in memoriam Join Date: April 26, 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,649	Well done, Virginians! __________________ No tyrant should ever be allowed to die of natural causes.

April 23, 2010, 01:52 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Remember, and remind everyone you know, JULY FIRST is the first day that this will be legal. If you or anyone else carries concealed in a restaurant, you are liable to arrest, and it's not an affirmative defense in Virginia to say that the "law will change 1 July." __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 14, 2010, 11:58 AM	#4
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I'm pretty jazzed, too. On a related note, Governor McDonnell also signed a bill that will allow us to renew our concealed-carry permits through the mail, so that will hopefully save me some time in January.

April 14, 2010, 12:02 PM	#5
sonick808 Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 396	congrats Virginia

April 14, 2010, 02:28 PM	#6
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Congratulations, Guys. It's been a lot of work.

April 14, 2010, 03:27 PM	#7
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	Yay, I live downtown in Richmond's Fan District and can walk to 100 or 200 restaurants and shops. Now I can go out after dark for a bite to eat. A view of Monument Avenue. John

April 23, 2010, 11:25 AM	#9
vel525 Member Join Date: February 13, 2008 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 46	I was just randomly wondering whatever happened with this! This makes my Friday even better!

April 30, 2010, 09:50 PM	#11
Glock_19 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 123	Absolutely amazing, now I just wonder what will happen with DC.

April 30, 2010, 11:01 PM	#12
ncpatriot Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2009 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 371	Hopefully in NC sometime Congratulations VA!! It's been discussed for NC, but a few Democrats in the legislature keep it from being brought to a vote. Your victory will give us a little new ammo in our fight. If it works out well for you, we have a good example from a neighboring state.