Question: Does this sign meet the requirements of Tennessee Law for banning handguns? IN other words, if I carry there, am I in violation of the law?
Answer: No, their sign does not meet the requirements of the law, which states:
(b)(1) Notice of the prohibition permitted by subsection (a) shall be accomplished by displaying one (1) or both of the notices described in subdivision (3) in prominent locations, including all entrances primarily used by persons entering the property, building, or portion of the property or building where weapon possession is prohibited. Either form of notice used shall be of a size that is plainly visible to the average person entering the building, property, or portion of the building or property, posted.
(2) The notice required by this section shall be in English, but a duplicate notice may also be posted in any language used by patrons, customers or persons who frequent the place where weapon possession is prohibited.
(3)(A) If a sign is used as the method of posting, it shall contain language substantially similar to the following:
AS AUTHORIZED BY TCA ยง 39-17-1359, POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON POSTED PROPERTY OR IN A POSTED BUILDING IS PROHIBITED AND IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
(B) As used in this section, "language substantially similar to" means the sign contains language plainly stating that:
(i) The property is posted under authority of Tennessee law;
(ii) Weapons or firearms are prohibited on the property, in the building, or on the portion of the property or building that is posted; and
(iii) Possessing a weapon in an area that has been posted is a criminal offense.
Since the Carrabas sign states that it is their policy, not the law, and fails to state that violation of their policy is a criminal offense, their sign does not meet the standard imposed by the law and I would not be in violation if I chose to carry there while eating.
And that brings up the question: If your sign does not meet the requirements of the law, then why post it? My guess is that the management wants to coddle the gun fearing crowd while relying on the fact that those of us who carry are more familiar with the law and will recognize that the sign is basically meaningless.
Nice try, but no dice Carrabas. Just like the places that still have the old signage posted in a similar attempt to ease the groundless fears of the ignorant, you are signalling that you don't want my business.
And I am happy to comply. There are plenty of restaurants that do acknowledge the fact that I am an intelligent, law abiding person with rights that must be respected in deed, not just in words.