Guns In Restaurants A Workplace Hazard

By Jonathan Martin, WSVM.com

Owners of Jackson’s Bar and Restaurant in Hillsboro Village said they don’t mind if permit holders bring guns inside. Unlike some places, there’s no sign posted banning weapons.

But a server at Jackson’s said he thinks there should be. He has filed a complaint with Tennessee’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or TOSHA, saying his bosses allowing guns on the job means he’s in an unsafe work environment.

“If an owner of a bar fails to post (a sign) and is allowing loaded weapons to be brought into a bar that serves alcohol, that creates a recognized hazard to the employees,” said attorney David R. Smith, who’s representing the employee.

According to the complaint, the server feels he’s in danger because he’s witnessed violent incidents including forceful ejections at work and has seen handguns carried into the bar.

Some opponents of the so-called guns-in-bars law said they hope they may be able to get the controversial law thrown out by proving there’s a workplace safety hazard.

“All bars in Tennessee would be in violation of OSHA and subject to being closed,” Smith said.

After it became law a year ago, a judge blocked guns in bars, saying the law was too vague. Lawmakers revised their bill, and it passed. The governor vetoed it, lawmakers overrode it and now the law is in effect again.

Despite one complaint, Channel 4 spoke with several workers at Jackson’s who said they feel safe.

“I don’t feel like there’s been a threat in here once in a year and a half,” said Nick Britt, a bartender at Jackson’s.

“My feeling is anybody who is going to bring a gun in here now was probably going to ignore the law and bring a gun in here anyway,” said manager Christopher Stowe.

It could be several months before TOSHA officials return with a response to the complaint. Depending on the response, Smith said, his client may take the complaint to the federal level.