Free Republic

A Philadelphia city councilwoman is defending her controversial bill that would force certain businesses to remove bulletproof barriers separating cashiers and customers. Councilwoman Cindy Bass said in a statement her proposed legislation only affects stores applying for a "large establishment" license, or sit-down restaurants where food is served and there is seating and tables for 30 or more people. The goal is to crack down on so-called "stop-and-go" shops, or convenience stores that sell hot food and alcohol, many of which have become nuisances to neighborhoods with intoxicated and unruly customers, according to Bass and other lawmakers.

Controversial bill would force business owners to take down bulletproof glass controversial bill is currently working its way through city hall designed to regulate 'stop and go' liquor stores. One part of the bill would force business owners to take down bulletproof glass inside their stores. But at what cost to their safety? Broad Deli sits on the corner of the 2200 block of North Broad, inside a wall of bulletproof glass separates customers from workers. "The most important thing is safety and the public's safety," owner Rich Kim said. Rich Kim's family has run the deli, which sells soda,...