Charlotte gay bar owner talks security

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s a bouquet of roses inside the Woodshed Lounge in west Charlotte and below the vase that holds 49 long-stem roses is a piece of paper that reads, “Pulse 6-12-16.”

“It’s terribly sad,” said Gregg Brafford, who owns the gay bar. “I’m shocked. It’s unbelievable anything like this could happen.”

Brafford said he put the roses out after Sunday’s mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. He said many patrons came to the bar to discuss the shooting.

Some took a rose home with them as they waited to hear if their friends were alright.

"They came out to show this is not going to scare them, deter them from being who they are," Brafford said.

Brafford is a longtime philanthropist and advocate for the LGBT community. He's even the survivor of a shooting.

Channel 9 interviewed Brafford in August 2014 after he was shot several times in a robbery.

"I feel so much sympathy for the wounded too because they have a long period of recovery," Brafford said.

The Orlando shooting has prompted Brafford to take another look at security in his bar.

Woodshed Lounge is already equipped with security cameras and guards on the weekends. Backpacks and large bags are also prohibited.

Still, Brafford questions if more security measures will ever truly be enough to prevent an attack.

"Charlotte police have been excellent," Brafford said. "They came by yesterday and said they're going to keep a high profile in the area."

A spokesperson with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed they're making contact with the appropriate people in the wake of the tragedy in Orlando.

A meeting was already scheduled with Charlotte Pride to discuss the upcoming parade and festival, which brings thousands of people to the city every year.

"It absolutely brings up the discussion but it's a discussion we have every year," said Charlotte Pride's executive director, Kimberly Melton.

"Every year we work with our city leaders, the police and fire department," Melton said.

Charlotte Pride has hosted and/or had a presence during vigils held in Charlotte.

Melton said she's firmly believes love conquers all.

"For me, the only way I can take that mournful blanket off is to help and do things for the community and help them mourn and feel safe," Melton said.

At Woodshed Lounge, the roses are only the beginning. Brafford plans to hold a benefit or fundraiser in an effort to raise money for the families of the victims.