CT Bar/Restaurant carry laws

[BeezDeep]

Does anyone know what the law is for carrying in a restaurant's bar area? I know that common sense dictates not to mix alcohol and carrying one's weapon. Does this mean you can't sit at the bar of a restaurant while carrying?

Work demands that I'm frequently on the road and I'll typically have lunch by myself where I'll grab a seat at the bar where I can watch TV. Since we're talking lunch here, I'll never have more than one beer over the course of my meal. I'd rather have my piece on me than leave it the car.

Of course, If I'm meeting friends at a bar for a few drinks after work the piece either stays home or secured in the trunk because clearly that isn't the time to carry.

I've looked through the CT General Assembly rules but can't find a clear statute on this.

 

[Sediment]

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but this sounds like it can be solved with a phone call to your CCW issuing authority to point you in the right direction.

If they can't tell you the law itself they should at least be able to tell you where such a law could be found in the legal docs.

 

[Sam1911]

Handgunlaw.us says that it is legal to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol.

What is defined as carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol is a place like Friday’s or Red Lobster. This does not mean a bar or the bar area of a restaurant.

Now, they don't cite any CT state law that says you CAN'T carry in a bar or the bar area of a restaurant. Nor do they cite a state law that defines any legal limit of intoxication while carrying. I agree with Sediment, I'd contact the state Attorney General's office or a lawyer familiar with such things to ask for a clarification on these points. I wouldn't call the State Police or local PD and ask. Officers rarely have the exact, factual info on matters like that.

-Sam

 

[BeezDeep]

Thanks fellas... I haven't a clue as to what phone numbers or bureaucratic rat's maze I'd need to delve through for my answer which prompted me to make this post. I also searched high and low on the intertubes and couldn't find anything except for something similar to what mentioned Sam... great site btw

 

[Sam1911]

BeezDeep, wwwopencarry.org is another great resource.

Unfortunately their CT page (http://www.opencarry.org/ct.html) has even less info that handgunlaw.us.

-Sam

 

[testosterone]

lookup Section 53a-206d, Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drug.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/rpt/2007-R-0369.htm


In Public

The permit to carry handguns allows people to carry them openly or concealed, but mature judgment, says the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners, dictates that (1) “every effort should be made to ensure that no gun is exposed to view or carried in any manner that would tend to alarm people who see it. . . [and] (2) no handgun should be carried unless carrying the gun at the time and place involved is prudent and proper in the circumstances. ”

For example, according to the board, handguns should not be carried:

1. into a bar or other place where alcohol is being consumed;

2. in any situation involving stress such as an argument;

3. after consuming alcohol or any drugs other than those legally prescribed; or

4. in any building, residential or commercial, whose owner prohibits handguns (http: //www. ct. gov/bfpe/cwp/view. asp?a=1252&q=254186).


So, it is not written law that you can't carry your gun someplace that serves alcohol, but the firearms review board discourages it, and if something happens, the officers involved will probably not give you any benefit of the doubt.

 

[Sam1911]

So, it is not written law that you can't carry your gun someplace that serves alcohol, but the firearms review board discourages it, and if something happens, the officers involved will probably not give you any benefit of the doubt.

So, discouraged, but not illegal. That is good to know.

So questions of where you get seated in the restaurant (am I "IN" the bar area, or not? How near, how far? And does this place deriver 51%, or 60% or 12.375% of its income from liquor sales?) aren't relavant, and if you happen to (GASP!) have a beer or glass of wine with your dinner without choosing to disarm, you aren't automatically a felon.

That kind of thing can be very good to know. (Thanks, testosterone!)

-Sam

 

[testosterone]

Your welcome Sam.

Gotcha's suck, be careful out there.

 

[Sediment]

Glad you found your answer. But please remember that no law can replace good old fashioned common sense.

And remember kids, don't drink and drive

 

[wishin]

This is just another example of how government can be so arbitrary. In addition to the where alcohol is consumed anomaly, a permit entitles you to open carry, but the Board says you shouldn't! That too puts you between a rock and a hard place. You have to think this been challenged in court by a permit holder in CT? Anybody know?

 

[Sediment]

Board says you shouldn't, law says you can. I wonder which a responsible law-abiding CCW holder is going to follow.

 

[eye5600]

So, discouraged, but not illegal. That is good to know.

It's somewhat the same for open carry (in CT), and as best I understand (IANAL), you really have no defense if some cop glimpses your weapon and decides you are disturbing the peace. I think it's risky in practice, if not in law.

 

[fineredmist]

You might want to look at this link;

http://www.newingtongunex.com/articles/grief_over_guns.htm


I am a personal friend of Mr. Goldberg so I have no doubt that he was legally abused by two police departments and the court. He has received his permit back and is following up with a Federal Lawsuit.

 

[wishin]

That's quite a story. Glad for your friend. It's kind of poetic justice that one of the Board members is also being hassled. Should make them more sympathetic to the plight of law abiding gun permit folks.

 

[NinjaFeint]

You might want to look at this link;

http://www.newingtongunex.com/articles/grief_over_guns.htm


I am a personal friend of Mr. Goldberg so I have no doubt that he was legally abused by two police departments and the court. He has received his permit back and is following up with a Federal Lawsuit.

Glad to hear he got his permit back. That story was the example my CCW instructor used when explaining how CT police view concealment issues. It was not resolved yet at that time but I am happy to hear he finally got his permit back.

Also to Wishin' Mr. Kuck is not only sympathetic, it says in the article he brought a federal lawsuit against the state police.

 

[wishin]

Also to Wishin' Mr. Kuck is not only sympathetic, it says in the article he brought a federal lawsuit against the state police.

I saw that and applaud him. Let's hope it rubs off on the others.