Eastside bar installs metal detector as a security measure to keep patrons safe

In the past four months, three violent incidents occurred at bars across El Paso, and with an influx of holiday visitors expected, safety is a priority at bars.

On July 30, 2017, a man was shot and killed at Mulligan’s Chopped Hog Bar in East El Paso.

A soldier was shot in the parking lot of Barman in west El Paso on September 10, 2017.

A week later, on September 17, 2017, a shooting happened at Nu Beginnings in the Northeast leaving a man with serious injuries.

Tim Wilson, CEO of Whiskey Dick’s, said it was the June 2016 massacre of 49 LGBT people that pushed him to increase security measures at his east El Paso Bar.

“After the Pulse nightclub shooting, we have a security scanner and we also use the wands,” said Danny Miller, the general manager of the bar. “We wand them (customers) pretty much waist, the belt. We check the boots, the shoes, hats as soon as they come in, at the door.”

Metal detectors and an increased staff do not deter certain patrons from attempting to bring in weapons. Miller said many customers dislike being questioned or confronted, but that it has to be done for the safety of everyone.

“We’ve had some people try to come in with a pocket knife,” said Miller. ” Anytime we detect those, we turn them away and ask that they take it back to their vehicles.”

ABC-7 reached out to several bars in downtown and west El Paso, but did not find that many establishments have security measures beyond bouncers.

Texas is an open carry state, however, there are exceptions for bars.

According to a September 2017 statute, businesses that make more than 51 percent of their profits from alcohol sales can posts signs prohibiting guns in their establishments.