Knoxville (WVLT) -- Should you be allowed to carry a gun into a restaurant that serves alcohol?

At least one state senator thinks so.

Volunteer TV's Rob Pratt is here to explain what the proposed change in the law could mean and what people think of it.

Tennessee Senator Doug Jackson, from Dixon, expects to introduce the bill Wednesday.

It comes less than two weeks after the deadly shooting at Hooter's in Knoxville.

While some hope the new law could help prevent such tragedies, others say guns should not be on the menu at all.

If you are eating at Beef 'O' Brady's, or any other Tennessee restaurant that serves alcohol, you can't bring a gun inside.

But that could change.

It's just a bill right now, but if it becomes law, those with permits could bring a gun in, as long as they are not the one's drinking.

Beef 'O' Brady's owner Mike Peacock says that's a bad idea.

"I don't want to sit and wander how many of my customers actually have guns on them."

People may be secretly bringing guns into restaurants with bars now. But they face time in jail if they are caught. Changing that could put restaurant owners in a difficult position.

Peacock says, "I'm not against people having the right to bear arms, but doing it in an establishment like this is uncalled for."

The customers we talked to worry about winding up in the line of fire.

Neva Bowerman calls the proposed law dangerous and says, "I believe everyone ought to be able to carry a gun, but I think that bringing it out to where alcohol is being served might be very dangerous."

Trevor Putnam says, "I think that's a good idea."

Putnam sells guns and operates a shooting range at Coal Creek Armory. He says the law would not cause problems, because it limits gun-toting to those who have gone through the process to get a permit.

"There's already a federal law against carrying a firearm while intoxicated. I don't think preventing people who aren't drinking from carrying in restaurants is going to make anybody any safer."

Even if the bill passes, individual restaurants could still choose to ban weapons inside if they post the proper signs.

Still, restaurants could end up in the line of fire in a public relations sense, caught between customers with very different views.