Letters to the Editor

- Guns, guns, guns!
- Transparency
   

Guns, guns, guns!
Letter from Linda Bartlett, Farnham
   

Have Virginia lawmakers gone crazy? Where were they when Virginia Tech students were slaughtered? Guns, guns, guns! I am so tired of being in a state that approves gun laws that were prevalent in the old west. We took a huge step in outlawing tobacco in bars and restaurants. Now legislators want people to be able to carry hidden guns in bars and restaurants. I believe I would rather have emphysema than be shot to death in a bar by someone who had too much to drink.

And to put icing on the cake – someone who has a concealed weapon in a bar is not supposed to drink. I feel sorry for the barkeeps. They may have to pat down each patron to see if they have a concealed weapon before they serve them a drink. Do you think a person would fess up that he had a gun on him before he ordered a Jack Daniels and coke? Picture this, “I’ll have a Jack and coke and by the way I’m packing my six shooters.”

Bartenders now have the option to refuse to serve drinks to anyone who is obviously intoxicated. If a person leaves a bar while intoxicated and commits a hit and run or other vehicular crime, the barkeep has some responsibility because he or she continued serving alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated. And what about the safety of the bartender who refuses to serve a drink due to a patrons’ intoxication? The bartender may be putting himself and others at risk. How many drunks have you seen fighting mad when someone tells them they have had too much to drink? Read more