Shoot-Out At The Strip Club

A couple of guys who couldn't get past the bouncers at an Exotic Dance Club the other night down in Florida, at a place called "Lookers",  took out their anger on two other guys walking through the parking lot.

They shot them dead.

News account contained this statement (and I'll paraphrase it) from the establishment's owner: as a matter of business practice, and when gunshots are squeezed off inside or nearby, Lookers locks down the customers until the cops arrive.  (Note to HR and Work Place Safety pros: talk about this quaint little policy practice at your next seminar.)

There have been several shoot-outs at Lookers' property over the years, some resulting in death and some not. When you add guns, a titty bar, booze and hyperactive testosterone together, crap like this can and does happen.

Here's the point: a state senator from Sanford, FL has intro'd legislation in the Florida State House that would allow anyone with a weapons permit to openly carry a firearm in any public facility.

One particularly onerous aspect of this bill -- which the governor said he'd sign if it passes -- is that any doctor who even attempts to discuss the matter of firearms ownership with patients would be subject to five years' imprisonment and a $5 million fine.

This bill, of course, has the complete support of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

You know the drill: law-abiding citizens have a 2nd Amendment Right  to carry firearms etc. etc. etc. The provision would deter criminal acts etc. etc. etc.

Here's another way to look at this bill: by law, any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages must have a state-issued license to do so -- making that establishment, by definition, a "public facility" through accommodation. If this bill gets signed into law, anyone with a pistol permit would be guaranteed entry to any bar or restaurant in Florida.

Virtually all businesses must have a government-issued permit or certificate to operate -- making them, by definition "public facilities." If you owned a business and tried to keep a costumer away from your door if he was "packing a sidearm", guess who would get busted if this matter becomes law.

I could even make a case that "packing" would be legally unstoppable even if an establishment doesn't have a government-issued permit to conduct operations, such as a Church, or it has a special operating permit, such as a Hospital.

Both are, by tradition, function and customary utilization, places of "public accommodation."

Then, and finally, there are the theme parks up in the Orlando area -- facilities open to the public through accommodation if there ever were any.

Can you just imagine the annual NRA Convention being held at Disney World? At least Micky, Minnie, Goofy and Donald could feel right-at-home with their "concealed" weapons.

But let's go back to Lookers.

If the bill becomes law, look for the pole dancers to thrill the boys with nice, little, pearl-handled .32 calibre numbers holstered high on the thigh.