Tenn. bar owners nervous about new gun law

NASHVILLE, June 16 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Hospitality Association plans to distribute signs to restaurants and bars asking customers to leave their guns outside, a spokesman said.

A new state law that takes effect July 14 allows gun owners to take their weapons almost everywhere, including bars, the Nashville Tennessean reports. But the law provides no protection from lawsuits for bar owners if someone is killed or hurt in a drunken shooting and gives them the option of banning weapons.

"This law is creating more problems than it'll alleviate," said Josh Green, owner of Doc Holliday's Saloon in Nashville. "You have to worry about serving people who are underage, people who drink too much, who want to fight. This doesn't help us."

Green already has a sign that reads "Please check your guns at the door." That sign was only part of the Western theme but that could change next month.

Walt Baker, head of the hospitality association, said members are concerned about safety and liability. He said he has not talked to a single restaurant or bar owner who plans to allow guns.

The association will be handing out signs to its members, he said.