Alcohol and handguns?

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It’s always annoyed me that I can’t carry legally when visiting bars, because I feel there’s apt to be trouble there as much as anywhere else.

I’ve also 100% had something to drink while carrying. Happens frequently actually.

What I don’t do is make a habit of examining my carry piece when I’ve had enough to drink that my functioning is less than 100%. I also don’t drink to get drunk, and I’m not an “angry” drunk. (My father, by contrast, definitely was. He’d have a few drinks and be spoiling for an argument or fight.)

I therefore completely understand why it’s against the law, but it comes back to that old question… a criminal but very definition may well have a gun in a forbidden place and may try to use it. Best option I guess is to not make a habit of spending time in bars.
 
In Wisconsin, you can CWC into a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol, but you cannot consume any. Great way to volunteer to be the designated driver. Was brought up with the philosophy that drinking any alcohol came after anything to do with firearms, this even from a time and a family where drinking was considered part of a normal life. Even before there were any laws against DUI, drinking and handling firearms was highly frowned upon. Really doubt any true gun enthusiast/supporter would think this was a good idea, much less endorse and promote it.
 
Mosin77 said:
It’s always annoyed me that I can’t carry legally when visiting bars, because I feel there’s apt to be trouble there as much as anywhere else.
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That depends on the state. Most states either don't address the question or specifically allow it as long as the carrier is not drinking there. This latter category includes SC, making what the OP is describing illegal, assuming the customers are consuming the drinks at the bar in question.
 
exbrit49 said:
In Myrtle Beach, SC. A new bar just opened and they are offering discounts on alcoholic drinks to customers carrying a firearm!!!! Even advertising this on TV, offering a discount in a bar? Have we gone that nuts!? Needless to say I wont be getting within 5 miles of this place! The requirement by the bar to get the discount on your drinks, is that the pistol must be legally owned and be in a regular holster worn outside the pants on your belt. Its beyond me !!!!!!! The owner states in the TV ad he wants to see everyone armed!! ALCOHOL AND GUNS EQUAL DISASTER!!!
I may be older and old fashioned, if thats the case, I am GLAD! I have never seen anything this stupid anywhere in the country.
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ontarget said:
That's a one way ticket to loss of your CPL in MI.
I believe the blood alcohol limit is .02 if we are carrying.
We aren't even supposed to carry in a bar to begin with.
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Both good reasons to know the laws of the state you're in, if you are from out of state and are carrying concealed based on state reciprocity. What is okay in your home state might not be in the one you're visiting. To me, going armed into a bar in Myrtle Beach is like carrying a stick of dynamite in one hand and a lit match in the other.

In NC, you cannot carry in an establishment that bases most of its income on alcohol, but you can in a restaurant that also serves alcohol. In NC, it is zero tolerance for any blood alcohol content if carrying concealed. CC holders are held to a higher standard than non-holders and the permit can be permanently revoked for infractions like this.

Many states are doing away with their permit to concealed carry requirements, but I think it is extremely irresponsible for anyone carrying either open or concealed to consume alcohol while doing so. I'm willing to bet that if someone has to use their carry and has been drinking, it will go differently in court for them than if they had not been drinking, even if the use is eventually determined to be justified. It all goes to the question of an individual's judgment.
 
bearcreek said:
That depends on the state. Most states either don't address the question or specifically allow it as long as the carrier is not drinking there. This latter category includes SC, making what the OP is describing illegal, assuming the customers are consuming the drinks at the bar in question.
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Although I don't remember (when) the last time I was in a bar, it used to be the same here. Not against any law, but generally "discouraged", not sure if that has changed since.
 
I have no problem with folks drinking while carrying, as long as it's not to the point where they're impaired enough for it to be a problem. I know at least a dozen or so guys that are far safer with a handgun while raging drunk than many of the students I had in CHL classes were stone cold sober.
 
GHinNH said:
Although I don't remember (when) the last time I was in a bar, it used to be the same here. Not against any law, but generally "discouraged", not sure if that has changed since.
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New Hampshire is one that does not address the question. FWIW, that type of information is very easy to find. In future, if you're in doubt about something like that, just type a few key terms into the search engine of your choice. I typed in "New Hampshire concealed carry", clicked on three of the links, scrolled down a bit and had the answer in less than a minute. Make sure, when doing this, that you verify that the information is up to date and based on the official source, if any. In this case, there is no "official source" because it's not something that is addressed in state law. Remember too that law enforcement officers, FFL's, CHL instructors and anyone at a gun show are not official sources. ;)
 
Virginia law is silent on open carry and therefore you can open carry in a bar and consume alcoholic beverages, however, it is illegal to be "intoxicated" in public which is not defined, so one would have to be very careful.

There are Virginia laws, however, governing concealed carry. You can carry concealed in a bar, but cannot have any alcoholic drinks at all.

I do neither.
 
bearcreek said:
By "fight", are you referring to the wisdom of giving free drinks to people who are open carrying or to carrying in places that serve alcohol?
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I'm referring to the whole whether or not it's acceptable to consume alcohol while carrying a gun debate.

I don't drink and I don't go to bars. This debate is irrelevant to me.

20231224_101728.jpg
My cat doesn't care either

And we still haven't established whether or not there actually is a bar in the South Carolina giving away free drinks to people who are open carrying.
 
The Night Rider said:
I'm referring to the whole whether or not it's acceptable to consume alcohol while carrying a gun debate.

I don't drink and I don't go to bars. This debate is irrelevant to me.
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For a lot of folks, for a lot of years, (and still in some states) the debate was more about being able to carry in places that served alcohol, not just "bars". In Ohio, for example, until a few years ago, it was illegal to carry in Pizza Hut, Applebees or Chipotle. None of them could be considered "bars", but they served beer. So, even for folks who don't go to "bars" or even drink at all, the "debate" can still be relevant.
 
bearcreek said:
For a lot of folks, for a lot of years, (and still in some states) the debate was more about being able to carry in places that served alcohol, not just "bars". In Ohio, for example, until a few years ago, it was illegal to carry in Pizza Hut, Applebees or Chipotle. None of them could be considered "bars", but they served beer. So, even for folks who don't go to "bars" or even drink at all, the "debate" can still be relevant.
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Well, it's not illegal here so the debate is still irrelevant to me
 
exbrit49 said:
In Myrtle Beach, SC. A new bar just opened and they are offering discounts on alcoholic drinks to customers carrying a firearm!!!! Even advertising this on TV, offering a discount in a bar? Have we gone that nuts!? Needless to say I wont be getting within 5 miles of this place! The requirement by the bar to get the discount on your drinks, is that the pistol must be legally owned and be in a regular holster worn outside the pants on your belt. Its beyond me !!!!!!! The owner states in the TV ad he wants to see everyone armed!! ALCOHOL AND GUNS EQUAL DISASTER!!!
I may be older and old fashioned, if thats the case, I am GLAD! I have never seen anything this stupid anywhere in the country.
Click to expand...
What a bunch of click bait! It's a coffee shop!

www.wmbfnews.com

Andrews coffee shop offers gun owners discounts, encourages safe gun ownership

An Andrews coffee shop is educating their community on safe gun ownership, one drink at a time.
www.wmbfnews.com www.wmbfnews.com
 
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