NM law OKs guns in some liquor-serving restaurants

Posted at: 03/10/2010 2:54 PM
By: BARRY MASSEY, The Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - People licensed for concealed handguns can take their weapons into restaurants serving beer and wine under a new state law.

Gov. Bill Richardson signed the measure on Wednesday. It takes effect in July.
Even with the change, it will remain illegal to take a concealed weapons into a bar or a restaurant with a full liquor license.

Richardson ordered the Department of Public Safety to change its licensing regulations for concealed handguns to prohibit people from drinking alcohol while carrying their concealed weapon. The governor wants the Legislature to make that part of state law.

TIMC said:

Arizona passed a similar law last year. Texas had the law for many years with the 51% rule. I think the big difference is in Arizona you can even carry in liquer a bar as long as you are not drinking.

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That really makes more sense. All they have to do is say you can't drink and carry. The idea restricting it to a percentage doesn't make sense to me. But what do you expect, they're politicians.

Larry Ashcraft said:

In Colorado, you can carry into a bar, restaurant or liquor store. Signs carry no force of law. You can even drink while carrying. You can't, however, carry while intoxicated.

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That is basically the same in Texas. The problem is the term intoxicated. In Texas, and probably other states the level of alcohol that determines intoxication will very. Only one drink can be considered intoxication there. At least that is what my Texas CHL instructor indicated. He said just don't drink and carry, that is the safe thing to do.