The Tennessee state House has approved a bill that would allow handgun permit holders to take guns into restaurants and places that serve alcohol, as long as they don’t drink. The bill passed the House with a 66-23 vote. The vote strips a ban on guns from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. in alcohol-serving establishments, and removes legislation that prohibits guns in places serving alcohol that doesn’t permit minors. The bill now goes to the Senate, which originally passed it 26-7 on April 16th before it was sent back to committee for modifications. The final Senate vote is expected next week and Governor Bredesen could sign it into law by week’s end. The Governor has expressed concern over allowing guns in public places, especially ones that serve alcohol. There are currently 220-thousand Tennesseans that hold hand-gun permits.
