Concealed Carry in Restaurants and Bars in Arizona

[gvaldeg1]

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1113 into law today which makes it legal for CCW permit holders to carry guns into restaurants and bars as long as they don't consume alcohol and the owner hasn't posted a sign prohibiting firearms on the premises.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/s...3/daily21.html

It's about time that Arizona joined the approximately 40 states that allow this. Her predecessor Janet Napolitano (now Homeland Security Secretary) vetoed essentially the same bill. Anyway...I don't have to tell you about Napolitano and her 2nd Amendment views...they're well known. It's refreshing to have someone like Jan Brewer as Governor of Arizona. BTW: She spoke at the NRA Convention in May here in Phoenix. She was on the program with people like Ted Nugent.

[MADnMO]

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1113 into law today which makes it legal for CCW permit holders to carry guns into restaurants and bars as long as they don't consume alcohol and the owner hasn't posted a sign prohibiting firearms on the premises.

Fireworks still illegal in Arizona, gun bill OK'd - Phoenix Business Journal:

It's about time that Arizona joined the approximately 40 states that allow this. Her predecessor Janet Napolitano (now Homeland Security Secretary) vetoed essentially the same bill. Anyway...I don't have to tell you about Napolitano and her 2nd Amendment views...they're well known. It's refreshing to have someone like Jan Brewer as Governor of Arizona. BTW: She spoke at the NRA Convention in May here in Phoenix. She was on the program with people like Ted Nugent.

One problem I see with the bill is that the sign will not be posted at the entrance but next to the liquor license. Most bars I have been in have the license posted behind the bar. Which means you would not see it until you have already entered.

[AZSATT]

This is a huge victory for the gun-carrying citizen - but holy macaroni - the media and local idiots are getting all wrapped around the axle on this one!

Many establishment owners are going to post "no guns" signs in opposition to this new ruling (according to the local media), joining so many of the incredibly ignorant antis that think this law is a license to get hammered drunk and start shoot outs.

They're clueless, I swear. They simply are blind to the fact, the right - and now the law reflecting that right of the responsible, law-abiding citizen to be able to defend themselves. Anywhere.

If I hear another "guns and alcohol are a dangerous combo" rant, I'm going to puke. Gun-free zones and criminals are a much more dangerous combo, and the antis seem to continually ignore or dismiss the aspect of this law that prohibits the CCW permit/concealed gun carrier from drinking... so the danger comes from where again? Criminals that know where to "hunt!"

I'm going out to eat this weekend, and packing - in celebration.

[Old Zebra]

While I'm a strong advocate of second amendment rights, I do worry about the unintended consequences of Arizona's "guns in bars" bill. Here's my concern...a group of licensed-for-concealed-carry folks enter an establishment where alcohol is served. One of them is carrying. That person orders a non-alcoholic beverage. Next round, the gun is passed to the right and that person, who consumed an alcoholic drink in the first round, now orders a non-alcoholic beverage. And so on and so on. Technically, the person carrying the gun, is not consuming alcohol. Does anyone know if this bill specifies that a gun toter must not have any alcohol in his/her system...or only that a gun carrier not consume alcohol while carrying.

At my age, my late night pub-crawling days are far behind me. But should I find myself in that situation, I'll look for a chair in the corner with my back to the wall. The days of the the Wild West may be about to return.

[AZSATT]

Personally, I was bit surprised that the bill that was passed FAR surpassed the "60/40 rule" - or "Olive Garden rule" as I like to refer to it in class. I was thinking they'd adopt a bill that would permit concealed carry into establishments that serve alcohol, provided more than 60% of that establishment's profits came from food. While that's certainly included, they also include actual BARS - which is far beyond the 60/40 measure.

Like you Old Zebra, I'm a big fan and supporter of 2A rights, but I am quite certain the media and antis (pardon the redundancy) are watching and waiting. The scenario you described, though highly irresponsible for any law-abiding gun owner to pass a loaded firearm around in public, could happen. However, the new law clearly states Open Carry is still prohibited where alcohol is served, so unless these 'players' want to run out to the car or hide in a bathroom stall everytime they rotate who is carrying, they'll be violating this new law regardless of blood-alcohol levels. Could is still happen? Sure I guess. But probably not by responsible CC types. The media won't discern a difference however.

To me, concealed carry prohibiting drinking means just that. Drink at home if you're going to drink, otherwise, leave the gun at home. (Maybe I should write law?)

As with any law, I'm concerned about two things. First, I'm concerned about interpretation and enforcement. Second, I'm concerned about "that guy" - you know the one - who WILL test the limits and syntax of the new law to see how much he can get away with, and in so doing, get us all painted with the same "gun owners are a bunch of extremists" brush.

Should be interesting, especially when coupled with the 'defensive display' bill. You gotta love Arizona!

[gvaldeg1]

[quote=MADnMO;84201]One problem I see with the bill is that the sign will not be posted at the entrance but next to the liquor license. Most bars I have been in have the license posted behind the bar. Which means you would not see it until you have already entered.[/quot1]

There was a lot of debate about the posting of the sign. This was amended a couple of times. I think that we need to read the final Bill signed by Gov. Jan Brewer.

[.45acp]

Here's my concern...a group of licensed-for-concealed-carry folks enter an establishment where alcohol is served. One of them is carrying. That person orders a non-alcoholic beverage. Next round, the gun is passed to the right and that person, who consumed an alcoholic drink in the first round, now orders a non-alcoholic beverage. And so on and so on. Technically, the person carrying the gun, is not consuming alcohol. Does anyone know if this bill specifies that a gun toter must not have any alcohol in his/her system...or only that a gun carrier not consume alcohol while carrying.

Old Zebra, I live in Utah were we have carry in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages; there are not any shootings that I am aware of although I'm relatively sure someone will dig up a case where a CCW holder was involved in a shooting.

I personally think that passing the gun from person to person is an unlikely scenario; the problem is not CCW holders, but the gangbanger and banditos that don’t care or respect the laws.

How many gun laws have made the law abiding gun owner more law abiding?


Steve

[SShearer]

I prefer to call it the "I don't have to leave my gun in the car when I'm in a restrant so some scumbag can steal it bill" thank you very much.

And Old Zebra, your kidding right, a bunch of guys playing pass the gun under the table while there drinking. If you see that much hand action under the table you might be in the wrong bar

[utimmer43]

Here's my concern...a group of licensed-for-concealed-carry folks enter an establishment where alcohol is served. One of them is carrying. That person orders a non-alcoholic beverage. Next round, the gun is passed to the right and that person, who consumed an alcoholic drink in the first round, now orders a non-alcoholic beverage. And so on and so on. Technically, the person carrying the gun, is not consuming alcohol. Does anyone know if this bill specifies that a gun toter must not have any alcohol in his/her system...or only that a gun carrier not consume alcohol while carrying.

Is it your impression then that this same group of folks have thus far refrained from carrying their weapons into a bar?

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.-Thomas Jefferson

Passing this law simply allows the sensable armed citizens to protect themselves while inside these establishments. The un-sensable folks you describe, wouldn't even bother passing one gun around. They would most likely each have their own gun, and no permit to carry it.

The days of the the Wild West may be about to return.

This statement is made by the antis (not calling you one) everytime ANY gun restriction is relaxed. It never happens.

[hiwall]

The media is so predictable. They are saying the same thing they always say when any pro-gun law is passed, about how the streets will run with rivers of blood. I wrote in to the Prescott newspaper to please just give it a rest. Stupid me, I thought that in a pro-gun state like Arizona the media might be different Well at least the media doesn't directly make the laws. I only wish Arizona would do away with the permit law and change to one like Vermont where you don't need a permit to carry concealed. I'll keep hoping.