New Virginia Law Allows Permit Holders to Carry Loaded Handguns in Bars and Restaurants

STERLING, Va. - When Ed Levine took a break for lunch Thursday, he knew he would have a hamburger on his plate and a .45 caliber pistol at his side.

"The second amendment doesn't say you have the right to bear arms, but only in these five places,” said Levine. “Unless you can tell me where the next bad guy in going be, I want to carry wherever I need to carry to defend myself.”

That is why Levine thinks July 1 is a big day for the rights of gun owners in Virginia. Starting Thursday, Virginians who have a permit to carry a concealed weapon can now do so in bars and restaurants.

"I feel personally that if I'm out somewhere and I'm carrying my firearm and a guy attacks me or my family, I've got a better shot than I do if I pick up my phone and call 911 and say 'hey, I'm getting stabbed right now’," said Levine.

Ladd Everitt works with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. The law passed this year by the general assembly says people carrying a concealed weapon in a bar or restaurant are not allowed to drink alcohol. But Everitt says that is unenforceable.

"You literally would have to pat down and search everyone coming into your establishment to make sure they do not have a gun."

Plus, Everitt says the permitting process is not real security. He points out that the accused Fort Hood shooter once held a concealed carry permit issued in Roanoke, Virginia. Everitt says the permit background check is not strict enough.

"After the Virginia Tech shootings, it was found that one out of four felony conviction records that should disqualify someone are missing from that FBI database,” said Everitt. “After the Virginia Tech shooting, it was found that nine out of ten mental health records that should be disqualifying people are missing from that database. And then there were also many domestic abuse restraining orders missing from that database.”

Business owners are allowed to post a sign that says no concealed carry. Under the law, a customer carrying a concealed weapon is obligated to stay out.