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Commission bans guns in bars

City institutes mandatory jail sentences for offenders

By Matt Erickson

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Mixing guns and bars in Lawrence will now result in jail time, the city commission decided Tuesday night.

The commission instituted mandatory jail sentences for those who bring guns within 200 feet of drinking establishments, but it put a proposed entertainment licensing system on hold after attendees voiced concerns.

City law already prohibited firearms near or in the premises of drinking establishments but did not require jail sentences.

Commissioner Dennis “Boog” Highberger said the threat of jail sentences would do more to discourage people from bringing weapons near bars.

“I’m not someone who thinks the answer to every problem is to increase criminal penalties, but we need to send a clear message,” Highberger said.

The new gun ordinance met no opposition from members of the public, but discussion of an entertainment license caused some bar owners and others to protest.

An entertainment licensing system would require entertainment venues to obtain a license from the city to operate.

pullquote

I’m not someone who thinks the answer to every problem is to increase criminal penalties, but we need to send a clear message.

-commissioner Dennis "Boog" Highberger

According to a draft ordinance from city staff, “entertainment venues” would include businesses that provide live music or dancing or businesses that charged admission for recorded audio or video.

The draft ordinance said the city could suspend or revoke businesses’ licenses if patrons or employees committed criminal acts or if businesses caused problems with noise, litter or traffic.

Nick Carroll, owner of the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St., and Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall, 943 Massachusetts St., said the system could penalize venues that attracted lots of customers.

“Really what these licenses are saying is that, if you’re successful, we don’t want you downtown,” Carroll said.

Dennis Steffes, owner of Coyote’s Night Club, 1003 23rd St., and Last Call, 729 New Hampshire St., said it would be unfair for the city to punish businesses for the crimes of their patrons.

“You don’t close a bank for having armed robberies,” Steffes said. “You don’t close gas stations for having too many drive-offs.”

Kansan staff writer Matt Erickson can be contacted at merickson@kansan.com.

— Edited by Stacey Couch

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