Virginians would be able to belly up to the bar while packing hidden heat under a bill that easily passed a House of Delegates committee yesterday.

Senate Bill 476, which would allow concealed-weapons permit holders to bring firearms into restaurants, drew opposition from the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, the Virginia State Police and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on behalf of the Kaine administration, but gun owners prevailed.

The House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety passed the measure 15-5. Introduced by Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr., R-Augusta, it previously passed the Senate 24-15.

Under the measure, a person with a permit who is carrying a firearm could not drink alcohol. He or she would have to notify a restaurant employee there was a weapon, but the employee would not have to tell any of the wait staff.

Currently, a permit holder can carry a gun into a restaurant or club as long as it is visible, and the law does not prohibit the person from being served alcohol. Tom Lisk, a lobbyist for the hospitality association, said there are 170,000 concealed-weapons permit holders in Virginia.

The committee also passed Senate Bill 436, which would allow someone who does not have a concealed-weapons permit to transport a handgun in a car glove department. The state police said this would endanger lives.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.