It is for me, especially since I don't even drink. I don't even think about it but since it's illegal in VA now, suddenly I have to think about alcohol. I just CC anyway. I figure it's like going 5 mph over the speed limit or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. Yes, it's illegal but I'm going to do it anyway. In the case of the weapon, the benefits (to me and everyone around me) far outweigh the risks.
I don't believe there really is, other than the punishment.There is a big difference..
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but when I looked up the law on this the only law that is on the books is that the owner of an establishment with a license to sell alcohol is required by law to prohibit weapons & is required to ask anyone carrying a weapon to leave the establishment, with the exception of him or herself & authorized employees who are allowed to carry. The only way you're in trouble according to the law is if you refuse to leave if asked - in which case you could be charged with trespassing.I don't believe there really is, other than the punishment.There is a big difference..
Just because something is law doesn't make it right. If I can safely go 40mph in a 30mph zone, what have I done wrong (not illegal, but wrong)? Carrying a gun in a post office is against the law, but what harm does it actually do? If I don't threaten anyone, I don't injure anyone, and I don't damage any property, what have I done wrong?
The reason many of us get permits is because we would rather not break the law if we don't have to. That's a far cry from wanting to comply 100% with every unconstitutional law that's out there.
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/4/00244.htm&Title=4&DocType=ARSPlease correct me if I'm wrong, but when I looked up the law on this the only law that is on the books is that the owner of an establishment with a license to sell alcohol is required by law to prohibit weapons & is required to ask anyone carrying a weapon to leave the establishment, with the exception of him or herself & authorized employees who are allowed to carry. The only way you're in trouble according to the law is if you refuse to leave if asked - in which case you could be charged with trespassing.
One of my CCW instructors was a lawyer & a part time Judge that specializes in gun laws, and he said there has not been a single prosecution against someone for having a weapon in a restaurant that also happens to serve alcohol. He said he personally would love to fight such a case for free if it were ever prosecuted, and offered to do so for our entire class.
It is a bit of a muddy water issue however due to the fact that our Sheriff's office does incorrectly state on its website that it is not allowed. Carry or don't carry - either is done at your own risk (risk of death by attacker if you're unarmed, risk of prosecution if you stay armed). - some say it is better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Personally, I think the law should be changed to be more like our driving law. You can drive to and from a bar, so long as you don't drink & drive. Don't ever drink & carry or risk getting a CWI (Carrying while intoxicated)
Just my humble opinion.
*bump*
I think this brings to point that even law-abiding gun owners such as ourselves aren't really doing the best for our own safety or the safety of others by following the law 100% of the time. Note that I am not advocating breaking any laws here but am simply pointing out as others have stated the incosistency of doing the right thing and following the law.
Arizona prohibits open or concealed carry in places that serve alcohol, private property in which it is prohibited, government land, buildings, or sponsored events which prohibit it, K-12 schools, and beyond the security point at the airports. It is generally a misdemeanor for breaking this law. The irony of concealed carry is that how do they know you have it? So it is illegal but unless they have metal detectors or they search you as a condition for entering the property, nobody knows you have a gun. In all practicality, I don't see how leaving your gun in the car or with the owner does you or anyone else around you any good.
What good does leaving your gun in the car do while drinking at a bar, if someone walks in and shoots it up? Are you going to be able to get to the car and get it in time? Maybe some of the victims at Virginia Tech left their guns in the car or at home that day. Following the law got them killed. Breaking it may have saved many lives. If someone had a gun on 9/11 on one of those planes, there may have been less lives lost. While alcohol and guns don't mix, if you cannot conduct yourself appropriately under the influence (carrying or not) then you shouldn't be drinking period and might have an alcohol problem or otherwise a generalattitude problem.
One thing that makes the gun control laws silly is that if I open carry in a prohibited area, they will ask you to leave the gun in the car but then all I would have to do is go to the car, pretend to leave it in there but instead stick it in my pocket, and go back in and because they don't see it, they think I don't have it. So much for the logic of gun control against open carry. If every place which prohibited firearms guaranteed to have armed personnel on duty who were sworn to protect you while on the property and were held legally liable for your safety, then it wouldn't be that big of a deal. The problem is that the same places which prohibit firearms (schools, airplanes, bars, etc.) have no one there who can helpyou should some psycho come in with a gun and start shooting it up.
You sound like me. LOL I carry anyplace unless their is a metal detector. Then i'll just stay away. Places that tell you no weapons allowed really mean concealed carry only. More then a few are in grave yards because they obeyed a stupid law. Beside if you carry a gun into a place you shouldn't and something happens that you need the gun i'm sure the no carry sign will mean nothing
protector84 wrote:What good does leaving your gun in the car do while drinking at a bar, if someone walks in and shoots it up? ..................While alcohol and guns don't mix, if you cannot conduct yourself appropriately under the influence (carrying or not) then you shouldn't be drinking period and might have an alcohol problem or otherwise a generalattitude problem.
My understanding is if it is posted you cannot OC or CCin that establishment. if you are caught CCing with or without a permit you will (1) lose the right to OC or CC (charged with CC) (2) Lose your CC permit.I wonder how standard the practice is of CC'ing in restaurants that serve alcohol even though it's illegal?