How would you navigate this situation?... RE no firearms in bars

I attend a dance class and I carry concealed. The area around the building is bad! However, having mentioned this to several of the ladies who attend the class, I have not had one agree that it is even "not good". They have all said "it's a fine area", in essence. In about the first 6 months, I have personally experienced 3!! interactions/interviews that could have turned violent. These were while going out to eat after class with a friend or two. I have stopped going out in that area.

In my state, it is illegal for any non-LEO to carry a firearm into an area designated "over 21" by the liquor commission. I HATE this law Of course, I CAN legally go out to a restaurant and drink heavily while armed. No, I do not do that.

Lately, a group of the girls have started going out for a drink after class, walking 3 blocks to the bar. A couple of the guys go, and I am quite sure that none of the guys carry a gun. (I mean, it's dance class. Who would carry a gun, right? ...uh, besides me ) The bar is a very nice, low-key blues bar with live music.

-I can't offer a ride to all the people. When I have heard them talk about driving, most of the girls just really want to walk instead of drive.
-I do not feel good about refusing to join them and just leaving them to walk alone.
-I cannot continue my carrying and walk down to the bar with them - not inside, per the law.

I could walk down to the bar with them, then hang around outside the bar alone until they are done, and then walk back with them. That would be very weird. In the end, the truth is that I carry for myself and not specifically for anybody else's protection. Just to be clear, I mean that I do not carry with the intent to protect anyone besides myself - I'm NOT stating that I would not be there for someone in a clear need of my help.

What would you do??

1) Why is the area considered bad? What were your 3 interactions/interviews that could have turned violent?

I mean, just because you think it is bad, doesn't mean it isn't bad.

2) Are you saying you want to be chivalrous and escort these ladies because you don't feel the area is safe enough to be walking?

Click to expand...

1- There are a lot of homeless and beggars. There are a few main streets that are very poorly lit. It is an area of OPEN drug use and sales. There have been some notable attacks in the past, in that area. ...in addition to my experiences.
-The most significant of the interviews is detailed HERE.
-I was also walking with a girl, behind a guy - we were kinda keeping our distance and he slowed his walk. When we caught up and walked around him, he started following and making remarks to the effect of "slicing heads off" or something like that. She was talking to me, but I was trying to pay attention to him.
-Another guy was just being an idiot and started yelling and making a scene because my friend and I walked around a light post rather than on the same side.
2- No, I am not saying that I want to be chivalrous and escort the ladies. I am saying that IF I were going with them, I would feel somewhat responsible for their safety. Since I am not going with them, I am concerned that something bad could happen very easily in that area.

You say you are not carrying to protect others, only yourself. However it sure sounds to me like you are playing bodyguard to all those poor, ignorant, helpless ladies in that really bad part of town, where you have personally had serious altercations.

hmmmm Have you ever thought of seeking out a job with the Secret Service ?

Click to expand...

Thanks, but c'mon. I am only voicing my concern, not saying that I feel a duty to be there for them. (and see the end of this post for additional info)

As unhappy as you may be about any ill-consequences of their decision, you are not responsible for the choices other adults make. You've tried to warn them and offered your assistance. You've been turned down. Its out of your hands.

Click to expand...

Yep, probably the only answer there is.

PS: You're carrying in a dance class and they don't KNOW that? Not very fun dances, are they?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions above.
There are some ways to conceal in the class. 1- IWB behind the hip - works for me, but I have had girls put their hands there and exclaim "what is that?". I ride a motorcycle, so told them it's an MP3 player for music when I ride. 2- Undershirt-carry, like the Deep Concealment Should Holster, under a button-front shirt.
Pocket carry might work, if the gun was as small as my cell phone. Also, SOB would work as well as IWB, but I don't like it as much. Smart Carry would be a bad idea

Just take it anyway.

Click to expand...

The deepest concealment method that I have, which would allow me to carry ANYWHERE, is not very good for concealing in the dance. That would be ankle carry, and there are dance steps where she is rubbing her feet around my ankles. I suppose I could return to the car and switch holsters.

Here is some important information regarding this situation. I left this out to get opinions without this tidbit...
They BEG me to come out with them, and I do like to join them. No, I am not a big drinker. I do not want to walk in that bad area, but I will drive and meet them there. (SEE? Evidence that I really do not consider myself a bodyguard ) So, they are walking and in a dangerous area, and I am safe in my car. Now I'm not such a good-guy any more Know what I mean? Anyone need to change their answer now?

If that's the case, why aren't you all driving to the bar together?

As a Washington State resident, I understand your dillema. I have occasionally found myself in that situation. The alternatives are:

Don't go to the bar.

Go and leave your firearm locked in the car (and out of your control).

Go armed and break the law (which, of course, nobody on THR would advocate).

Click to expand...

The girls just want to walk. I don't know, maybe they are trying to save the planet by saving gas?

Each time they go out, I insist that I won't be going. A couple times, they have begged me and broken me down. When I have gone, I have locked the gun in the car.

Riding a motorcycle with acquaintances who don't know that I carry, and ending up at a "bar" for lunch, makes this a very regular law that I encounter. It's just not secure to lock a gun in the tiny trunk of my motorcycle.

rainbowbob, in your opinion, is there any chance this law could ever be changed? I have thought about it and I just don't see it happening. I can imagine the lawmakers thinking to themselves - "You want us to encourage people to carry guns into bars?!?! There is NO reason for that!".

I would just forgo the gun and carry a knife, or maybe a surefire E2e or something. Bright, compact flashlight. Not as good as a gun, but it will blind people for a moment.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I have that pretty well covered. I usually carry two knives (1 is illegal because it is a 2" fixed-blade ) and two flashlights. One light is low output and one is very high output - about 150 torch lumens.

I decided to not stop going to those places that were "over 21", but since I am not carrying in those places, my best defense is to avoid conflict and to run like hell at the first sign of trouble.

Click to expand...

Certainly good advice, whether carrying or not! However, it is very tough to run away when you are in the company of a girl. She still won't forgive me for running away from the mugger last time

I used to also carry pepper spray (OC). That stopped in the summer because the stuff I like to carry (Fox) is a little too bulky to pocket carry with all my other things.

If you are dancing WITH the gun and your partner doesn't know about it something terrible could happen. What is wrong with you? She even touched your gun?? BE RESPONSIBLE. What if you have an AD because the gun drops?

Click to expand...

The gun remains in a secure holster, with the trigger guard covered. There is no way for the gun to go off while in the holster. For the gun to fall out of the holster, someone would need to turn me upside down and shake me. I would make the claim that I AM responsible, regarding my carrying of a gun.

Oh, I also exaggerated when I may have said "some girls have touched...". I am very good friends with the instructor. She is the only one who has touched it, when she put her hand on my back, right above the butt of the gun.

VVVVVVVV Either way, how would you like for YOUR dance partner to be wearing a gun on them without telling you? It's just a matter of common courtesy I think. If you will be coming into close contact with someone else, do not wear your firearm or let them know. Am I wrong?

Click to expand...

In my opinion, yes, I think you are wrong. If my dance partner was wearing a gun without telling me? Honestly, I would be very pleasantly surprised. She would be someone I would admire for having the forethought and maturity to take responsibility for her own safety!

...I figure to do what's best and not wait for a Luby's to happen to me.

Click to expand...

I agree. I simply have to weigh the possibility of being made. That becomes very unlikely if I use a different holster.

Thanks all!