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Philadelphia Republican Wants Bill To Allow State Police To Shut Down Bars Linked To Violence

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - After the shooting of nine people outside a Feltonville bar last weekend, the chairman of the state House Liquor Control Committee says he expects his panel will soon consider a bill that would make it easier for State Police to shut down bars linked to violence and other problems.

Philadelphia Republican John Taylor, chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, says he believes the legislation is needed but must be carefully drafted.

"I think when there's obviously a problem with a licensee that everybody understands, I mean, there should be some ability to shut it down immediately – or even temporarily, until maybe they can almost have to come in and show why they should be open," he said. "But I think that has to be fairly narrow. In the cases that we just saw, it's pretty obvious that that place was problematic."

Taylor says if the legislation is too broad then due process rights can be violated. But he says he believes the bill can be tweaked and amended into a piece of legislation that works. He says he'll talk with other committee members next week.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio

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