Noticed a drunk CCW'ing- what to do

[kd7nqb]

So I recently got a job after being unemployed for the better part of 6 months. To celebrate my girlfriend and I went out to dinner, nothing super fancy but it was a big deal for me.

We walk in and the restaurant is divided into a bar on the left and a dinner area on the right, well we were in there at about 2100 so the bar area was MUCH busier than the restaurant side. For that reason the waiter did not notice us standing there waiting to be seated for a few moments.

We walk in and I hear this group of guys being loud and obnoxious. I turn my head towards them and as he is moving around I notice the back of his jacket pull up I can see that he is definitely printing a ccw. As I watch him more, I am definitely sure that I see he is CCWing.

So we get seated and I just kinda keep half an eye on him, he was definitely intoxicated and still drinking.

I have no problem with CCWing in bars but I make it a VERY clear rule that if I drink the gun stays locked in the car.

Well it turns out nothing happened and thats all well and good but my question is if you see somebody visibly intoxicated carrying what do you do? I guess if it were somebody I knew I would approach them and see if I could quietly convince them to go lock it up in their car.

 

[Master Blaster]

We walk in and I hear this group of guys being loud and obnoxious. I turn my head towards them and as he is moving around I notice the back of his jacket pull up I can see that he is definitely printing a ccw. As I watch him more, I am definitely sure that I see he is CCWing.

So we get seated and I just kinda keep half an eye on him, he was definitely intoxicated and still drinking.

He was probebly in LAW enforcement, and that was his duty weapon, so its ok.

 

[JHK94]

Is it illegal to drink while CCWing in a restaurant in Oregon? If its okay legally, I guess there isn't anything really to do about it.

 

[Biker]

I'm a big believer in the 'Mind Your Own Bidness' School of Philosophy.

Biker

 

[filament]

I would be more concerned if he was planning on driving after he was done.

 

[ArmedBear]

In Idaho, it's illegal to be DRUNK while CCWing, but you can legally drink in a bar while CCWing. It's generally not the best idea, especially if you care about civil litigation, but it's legal.

MYOB is my philosophy, too.

 

[highorder]

How do you know he was a CCW holder? He just as easily could have been a cop or criminal.

It's a drunk man with a gun.

I would not involve myself with him.

 

[TCOV]

Best to mind your own business or just leave if it is uncomfortable. Never try to reason with someone who has had too much to drink. If the person is a cop or someone who CCW all the time the gun is probably a non issue unless you bring it up. Drinking and CCW is not right but making a scene can lead to serious consequences for all involved. From experience I would just mind my own business or leave.

 

[mcdonl]

MYOB... good philosophy.... my understanding is the same general rules that apply to driving apply to ccw... if you plan to drive, you know that you cannot get intoxicated but you can still have a beer or two at a bbq....

If you plan to bust out the funnel, put the gun in the safe and the keys in someone elses hands.

 

[X-Rap]

Back many yrs. in my youth there was a deputy that was disabled in a wreck and transfered to the Civil side of the dept. He still carried a gun and it was not unusual to see it pulled late at night at a bar. It was a S&W 66 with a 2 1/2" barrel. It is entirely possible he was off duty on his way home.

 

[coloradokevin]

Well, obviously any opinions we have about who that person may have been is little more than mere speculation at this point. Maybe he was a cop; or a habitual drunkard; or a criminal. Who knows?

Regardless, your best course of action is to either ignore it or contact the police. I'd never recommend confronting the drunk guy with the gun, it just doesn't make sense. If your laws are like ours, he could find himself in trouble for being intoxicated while carrying.

Personally, I'd leave it be if the guy wasn't causing a problem. But, if I felt that the guy was an imminent threat to others, I'd probably call it in.

 

[hso]

Let the manager know so he can deal with it or call the police so they can sort it out. Acting on your own to intervene could have resulted in any number of problems.

 

[Grassman]

Simple.....you mind your own damn business. More people should do that these days. Also, just know if he drives in that condition, and gets pulled over, he will not be CCWing any longer either.

 

[j_charles]

Leave it alone! It is, in fact, perfectly legal to be in a bar while CCW in Oregon. I say unless and until he presents a real and present threat to someone(s) that you MYOB, but keep an eye on him, just in case.

 

[BikerRN]

Most agencies that I know of have policies for drinking while armed. I know mine does.

In short I would mind my own business and leave if I thought the potential for trouble was there. If it bothered me that much I would call 911 and have the on duty constabulary respond to check it out.

What I most definately would not do is confront the intoxicated and armed individual. You have no legal standing in the matter and could be putting yourself in danger, physically, legally and financially.

The life you save may very well be your own by not confronting the individual. I won't tell you to call the local LEO's, but I also won't tell you not to call. That's a choice you have to make. I know what I would do, but that's not open for discussion.

BikerRN

 

[Cannonball888]

MYOB... good philosophy....

Yep. Make Your Own Booze and drink it at home.

 

[meanmotorscooter]

I would liken carrying while drunk to being drunk while sitting in your car without the keys in the ignition. Once you put the keys in you can be arrested for DUI. The guy has done nothing wrong. . .yet.

 

[kd7nqb]

So this sounds so dumb but it didnt really dawn on me that he didnt necessarily need to be a CCW holder. Anyway sounds like most people agree with the MYOB approach which is exactly what I did.

 

[JHK94]

Ha, actually, it is not uncommon to be given a DUI for sitting drunk in the driver's seat, even with the keys in your pocket (as you are still in "direct control" of the vehicle!)

 

[Zombie_Flesh]

One significant issue...

If he is drunk and CCWing he runs the risk of making us all look bad if he does something stupid. Perhaps asking the waitress to deliver a drink (water) with a note stating your concerns, and suggesting putting it back in a vehicle would work... I don't think there is a graceful solution.

 

[Corporal K]

You did the right thing.

 

[Smithiac]

MYOB

 

[Gamera]

I'm with the MYOB crow. Unless the guy is becoming obviously belligerent, in which case one should call the police and not confront him directly.

Interesting tidbit: here in SC it's illegal to discharge a firearm while drunk... unless it's in self-defense!

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

This is very different than the Home Depot thread posted a week ago.

In this case, I would leave him be.

Even if it's the best case scenario, and he is carrying legally, there should be no doubt in your mind that he has poor judgment and will not respond reasonably.

 

[Deavis]

Well it turns out nothing happened and thats all well and good but my question is if you see somebody visibly intoxicated carrying what do you do?

The same thing you do in all situations where your rights aren't being violated and your life is in jeopardy, nothing. The second he crosses the line, take action. Until then, nobody is being hurt and no real crimes are being committed. Your quandry is emotional, not rational.