A Florida gun range was approved to sell alcohol at its restaurant, but the owner said booze will only be sold to those who’ve finished shooting for the day.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that all but one city commissioner voted to approve Ron Perkinson's plan to turn a vacant building near Interstate 95 into a 12-lane gun range, upscale restaurant, and retail store.
Perkinson stressed to commissioners that all the necessary precautions and training will be put into place to make sure that patrons can only buy alcohol after locking their guns up for the day, and won't be allowed to use the range for 24 hours after having a drink.
"It's no different than them leaving here [the gun range] and going to Outback," Perkinson said.
"Guns, whether you're planning to have a drink afterwards or not, will not be allowed in the café area at all,"
he told WFTV-TV.
He noted that similar gun range-restaurant complexes exist in other states, and haven't had problems, and said that there will be equipment on hand to scan all driver's licenses when alcohol is ordered. He also plans to keep a watch list for potentially troublesome customers, and will have constant access to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database.
Commissioners suggested that Perkinson would not have a way of detecting whether or not guns were brought into the restaurant by those who've obtained a concealed carry permit, and Perkinson responded that he would install metal detectors if the commissioners deemed it necessary. The commissioners did not demand it, however, after Perkinson said he would put up enough signs to make sure it was abundantly clear that no weapons were allowed in the restaurant.
"It's a very unique opportunity," said Commissioner Rob Gilliland. He noted that other Daytona Beach gun ranges had fewer security measures in place, and had not experienced problems. He concluded that similar businesses have "proven in other parts of the country it's safe."
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