PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A new bill at the Arizona Capitol would force businesses to allow customers with concealed weapons permits to bring guns inside, even if property owners don’t want them.
Currently, Arizona business owners have the right to keep guns off their properties by posting a sign outside saying no guns allowed. Senate Bill 1012 would change that, requiring bars, restaurants and other businesses to allow armed customers with permits inside.
The proposal, prefiled by Sen. Janae Shamp, a Republican from Surprise who also wants to ban fluoride in drinking water, has sparked controversy among business owners and customers alike.
Larry Bailey, a construction worker who frequents local bars, said he opposes the idea.
“I don’t like coming to a bar knowing there might be violent people, let alone somebody with a gun,” Bailey said. “I don’t like that at all. I think property owners should have some rights, yes.”
Business groups oppose measure
Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association, said the bill isn’t about politics but about property rights and customer safety.
“There’s an old saying in this industry that, ‘we’re the hospitality industry, not the hostility industry,’” Chucri said.
He said restaurant workers didn’t sign up to monitor whether armed customers are drinking alcohol, which the bill would prohibit.
“We don’t want to have our servers, our managers, or even our owners having to really make sure that people aren’t consuming alcohol as a concealed weapons carrier,” Chucri said.
The bill would strip business owners of the right to decide whether guns should be allowed inside their establishments. Under current law, businesses can ban weapons by posting a sign.
Similar proposals have been introduced at the state capitol before but have not gained traction. Lawmakers will consider the measure when the legislative session begins next month.
Bailey said he has a message for legislators who will decide the bill’s fate.
“I’d tell them everybody has a right to live,” Bailey said.
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