All ages: Graham considering "emergency legislation

[Herr Professor Doktor Doom]

Graham is being a total politician... going against the non-voters (teens) to score points with the voters by looking like he is taking strong action, while meanwhile nobody is any safer than they were before.

[you be betty]

FUCK...
 
 Okay.  Heard about the shooting - yes, my mom was freaking out, and yes, this was bad timing because I am supposed to go to a show at the Black Cat this weekend...  She told me to come back to her later in the week or it would be a flat out no.  I'm very concerned about the whole situation with the violence, obviously, because I started going to shows in DC when I was 12, it is a big part of my life, and frankly it worries me when my parents are RIGHTFULLY concerned about my safety (in certain situations).
 
 But no offense to Graham...I appreciate the concern...yes, it is sickening that a 17 year old girl was shot.
 What I'm getting at though, is what will keeping minors out of the clubs change for the shooter?  Okay, if there's no 17 year old to shoot, what will keep them from shooting a 21 year old?  Is that not similarly disturbing?
 If legislators truly wanted to change this, they'd work on more gun control and demand more patrolling of the people entering and exiting the clubs.  And who even knows if that would work.
 
 There are plenty of 17 year olds in DC who live in even more violent areas and who experience this on a daily basis.  Keeping them out of the clubs will NOT stop the violence.  And furthermore, shielding them from situations like this (where the girl was also at fault for bringing illegal substance into an establishment) will only breed ignorance.  If they really want to fix this, they need to focus efforts on the other aspects of the shooting.
 
 
 ...And I'd really hope they don't drag the 9:30 or the Cat into this (but if they go all out, they will) because they don't have problems and they don't need to start.  And they remain safe establishments for minors either because a) they have really good security and check bags upon entrance, or b) we are entirely fucked up culturally.

[gloriaabortion]

Betty, the girl who was killed didn't bring any illegal substances to the club from what I've read.  She was just a bystander.

[MindCage]

Actually, from what I've read, she was shot by the guy she brought back to the club after she was kicked out for smoking weed.  This was a teen "go-go" event with a cash bar.
 
 
 Graham is holding a "round table" this Thursday for those interested about minors in clubs and wanting to voice your opinions on the subject matter.
 
 "On Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., I will hold a roundtable to
 discuss the current D.C. law that permits minors and underage persons in
 district nightclubs and taverns, despite the fact that consumption of
 alcohol by minors is prohibited. Current DC law ONLY prohibits the presence
 of minors in liquor stores during school hours.
 
 The roundtable will be held at the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson
 Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004."
 
 MindCage
 Mindless Faith
 Deep6 Productions

[saintangelsin]

This whole situation sounds fucked up. To me, it didn't sound like this was alcohol related, but it was drug related. I agree with the fear of what stops a shooter from getting someone else.
 
 If the 9:30 club ever gets dragged into this, I'll gladly testify about how they're safe for minors. I grew up in Western Maryland. I am from a small town. I've been coming to the club since I was 13 years old. (i'm 21 now by the way) My parents would not have taken my sister and me here (which is a 3 hour drive from their house) if they felt it was unsafe.
 
 Might I add that my mother is a social worker and was very overprotective of me and my sister. So for her to let us go to shows at the club with friends when I was in high school was a pretty huge deal. She never said no to me going to a show at the 930 club. But when it came to Nation, she was a bit different. In fact, I only went to four shows there and that was after high school, because I was 18 or older.
 
 The Black Cat and 9:30 club are positive places for teens. I couldn't imagine high school without going to shows at either place.
 
 I think the issue lies with kids not being raised with manners and parents who don't seem to know what their kids are doing when they go out. Also, I'd like to know what on earth the security/door staff at that club were thinking. I mean if I were security, I would have called the cops and waited for them to pick her up.
 
 I once saw this girl being arrested for underage drinking here at the 930 club. I was walking into the club right as someone from door staff was escorting this girl to a DC police car, which I felt was pretty appropriate.

[sweetcell]

I agree with the fear of what stops a shooter from getting someone else.  

i might be wrong here, but i suspect that Graham's position isn't that this will stop shootings, but it'll prevent youngins from getting shot.  "if someone takes a bullet, let's make sure its not a child".  "give kids a chance to grow up safe, they can take risks as adults".  
 
 i don't agree with this approach, the real issue is how to ensure that venues such as this one are safe in the first place.  the 930, BC and others seem to be able to pull it off.  what's the difference here - better staff?  different clientele?  unless there is a clear-cut delineation between the two - one that can be legislated and enforced - knee-jerk politicians have an easy reaso to keep under-18s out of all of them.  only takes one bad apple...

[you be betty]

I was pondering the difference in my earlier post.  Either the 9:30 and Black Cat have excellent (or good enough) security-type checks, or it's some sort of cultural thing.  You know, not to stereotype, but a sort of nerdy white indie guys being less likely to go gunning places up than big black rap guys...
 
 
 I'd actually like to go to that round table.  But I just love how they hold it when it is obvious I am still in school.  I get out at 2:10 and could get down there by 2:30 or 2:45...would it be over?  Would I lose credibility arriving horrifically late?

[Shadrach]

Some of my fondest memories are of attending shows as a minor at the old 9:30 Club and Capital Ballroom among others. To think that anyone under 18 would not be able to go to a venue like 9:30 or Black Cat is just sad. Graham knows that most of these kids are from the Burbs and won't be DC voters anytime soon or at all. It's political grandstanding at it's ugliest.

Mary J.Bilge

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Surly Bonds:
 
 How will this affect the food at The Birchmere?

Chicken fingers sales will go down.
 
 
 Btw, why is it that they want to kick 17 year olds out of nightclubs but the very same people have no problems whatsoever giving those very same 17 year olds a government issued gun and sending them off to some foriegn land to have to dodge all kinds of bullets, bombs and depleted uranium?
 
 Send the sons and daughters of the politcally privileged off first! Then maybe I'll think about your assinine legislations.     :mad:    
 
 And Shadrach, what you said! I missed out on so many good shows when I was a teen. To this very day, I believe that most clubs, when run properly, should be able to allow in all ages. Especially the clubs that are concert venues. It's a win/win for both the teens wanting to see a few bands and the bands wanting to fill the house.

[twangirl]

MIndcage, you are  misinformed. The girl who was shot was not the one who was thrown out of the club for allegedly smoking weed. That girl, identity unknown, is still at large.

[sweetcell]

I'd actually like to go to that round table. But I just love how they hold it when it is obvious I am still in school.

not to discourage your participation in a democratic process, but i wonder if folks at the roundtable will give much time or attention to non-voters (i.e. minors).  their whole approach is paternalistic, "we know better so let us decide for you".

Mary J.Bilge

[MindCage]

Sorry Twangirl!     I had read it wrong on the neighborhood listserv when Graham originally wrote the first message. Damn wouldn't that be some crazy irony if it was the person that was thrown out for smoking...
 
 There's been a few people already from the neighborhood replying back to Graham saying how they'd vote against any law that would restrict minors from attending live music venues.
 
 He was quick to email me yesterday about the policing problem, but when I wrote him this morning about the round table, I've not seen anything back yet.
 
 MindCage
 Mindless Faith
 Deep6 Productions

[anarchist]

a girl is thrown out of 1919 for smoking weed.  she brings back a male friend with a gun.  they argue with a bouncer upstairs in 1919.  the weed girl's male friend's gun goes off by (accident?) and hits a 17 year old innocent bystander girl who dies.  didn't someone get murdered at a reggae show at the old 930?   fenty sez he cannot believe minors are allowed in establishments that serve alcohol (that are not restaurants).