A Chapel Hill group is helping restaurants and bars clarify a new law to patrons. People with permits to carry concealed handguns can bring their weapon into establishments where alcohol is served. But, while drinking alcohol is prohibited when carrying a firearm, a permit holder can still bring a concealed gun into places that serve it, unless the owner posts signs saying otherwise. Meg McGurk heads the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership and says there's still confusion over the new law so she's handing out "no concealed weapons" stickers to Franklin Street businesses.
“They're happy. They're grateful. They've put the stickers up,” McGurk says. “Since it's come out in the media, I've had more businesses contact me. I've had businesses from other towns contact me and ask for a sign. I think the desire is out there once they learned about it. So I think that accomplished the goal of educating our businesses.”
McGurk says the neighboring community of Carrboro is also passing out stickers to its businesses that serve alcohol. Chapel Hill Police Sergeant Brian Walker says while he has no opinion on the stickers, his department will enforce the law and prosecute anyone who brings firearms into an establishment that clearly displays signs banning them.