[Glock_PhD]

So in Florida new laws have finaly taken effect that bar smoking in establishments that obtain a certain amount of their money from food rather than liquor sales. There are still what are termed "free standing bars" in which one can smoke. These places usualy sell very little or no food just liquor. So I have been thinking is this basicaly giving you atleast a guide of places you could legaly carry and those in which you can't. Here is the exact wording of the FL law: "any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose" Seems like the two laws are aimed at the same places. I am asking this question not only out of idle curiousity but there are many places that you can't smoke in now. Many of which I was suprised by when they stopped allowing smoking, thinking they would have fallen into the free standing bar section. Just curious on what other think?

[Redlg155]

I don't frequent bars or clubs, so carry in those places is a non issue for me.

Still, the general rule of thumb is that if the place is obviously an establishment with the primary purpose is serving alcoholic drinks..then you can't carry.

You can however carry in a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages as part of the menu.

You kinda lost me on the 'free standing bar" part and what exactly the question is.

Good Shooting
Red

[GSB]

Basically, what the law is saying is that you can carry in a place like Ruby Tuesdays that has a separate bar area from its dining area. You can carry in the dining area, but not the bar.

There is an excellent book on Florida firearms laws in publication. You can find it at gun shows and some gun stores. The current edition has a green cover.

[BogBabe]

Many of which I was suprised by when they stopped allowing smoking, thinking they would have fallen into the free standing bar section.

It's entirely possible that a lot of places ("free standing bars") have just decided to ban smoking anyway, even though they fall into the exempted category.

As for the rest of your comments -- it seems to me that you could generally interpret the laws this way: Where you're allowed to smoke, you're not allowed to carry, and where you're allowed to carry, you're not allowed to smoke. I'm pretty sure that in Florida you're not allowed to smoke nor alllowed to carry around pregnant pigs, though. :rolleyes:

[feedthehogs]

Florida statute 790 explains the gun laws.

I have never met anyone who had a hard time really knowing the difference between a bar and a resturant.

Common sense prevails although is sometimes lacking here in Florida.

The last election and what was added as constutional amendments kinda proves that.

[Jake]

That green book would be:


Florida Firearms: Law, use and ownership.
Fourth Edition

Author: Jon H. Gutmacher, Esq.

[Glock_PhD]

I agree that for the most part it is very easy to tell. I mean a resturant is a resturant and a bar is a bar. Though there are those places in the middle. It just seems like this may give you atleast somewhat of a starting place to dteremine if you can acrry there. Although as someone said this does not account for locations that exist as "free standing bars" just noit letting people smoke there anymore.

[GSB]

That green book would be:

Thanks! I lent it to my dad and didn't have it on hand.

[TarpleyG]

I have never met anyone who had a hard time really knowing the difference between a bar and a resturant.
You should visit the pub that my wife and I frequent near our house then. We still aren't sure if it's a restaraunt or a bar. They server as much food as beer and wine but it still looks like a bar. There is a "separate" section with tables for dining and there is no more smoking there either. Damned if I know.

GT

[feedthehogs]

TarpleyG,
When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
There are so many food joints down here you can't hit them all. And if you wait a couple of years, they become new places anyway.

[Agent7]

Texas makes it easy. They have to post a sign in the window if they derive more than 50% of their sales from achohol. The sign warns you that you are not allowed to bring in a concealed weapon. Seems pretty simple to me. Why do some states have to make everything so complicated sometimes?