FLY1NGSQU1RR3L
Newbie
Have read the excellent posts citing the legality of open carry in Montana's bars, the illegality of concealed carry in certain places in addition to bars, and the general recommendations to avoid carrying in bars as if Montana were one of those states which go out of their way to make them illegal.
Armed with that knowledge, when faced with a situation in which a small town had only restaurants as bars and my children needed to frequent the restrooms during a rodeo event sponsored by those establishments, I unconcealed and walked in with confidence I would not be breaking the law while in the bathroom line.
Disappointedly, ran into some rude servers who confronted me and demanded I leave and not return with my firearm, as is their right to request under state law as representative for a private property. When I asked politely if they were asking me to leave based on private policy (which was not posted and doesn't have the rule of law in MT anyway according to the other research on this topic) or State law, they insisted the same law that restricts carrying on federal property also prohibits carry of any kind in bars. On my way out, I showed them them the published law on my cell phone and left as requested, noting that I had uncovered and walked by two LEOs providing security while entering and exiting the restaurant over 5 times in the period of an hour. Just like proving a LEO is misinterpreting a law doesn't work, barmaids are hard to convince otherwise.
I have never been asked to not carry anywhere in WA state where it is legal, so imagine my shock when my first challenge is in Montana that claims far more constitutional freedoms than most states.
Armed with that knowledge, when faced with a situation in which a small town had only restaurants as bars and my children needed to frequent the restrooms during a rodeo event sponsored by those establishments, I unconcealed and walked in with confidence I would not be breaking the law while in the bathroom line.
Disappointedly, ran into some rude servers who confronted me and demanded I leave and not return with my firearm, as is their right to request under state law as representative for a private property. When I asked politely if they were asking me to leave based on private policy (which was not posted and doesn't have the rule of law in MT anyway according to the other research on this topic) or State law, they insisted the same law that restricts carrying on federal property also prohibits carry of any kind in bars. On my way out, I showed them them the published law on my cell phone and left as requested, noting that I had uncovered and walked by two LEOs providing security while entering and exiting the restaurant over 5 times in the period of an hour. Just like proving a LEO is misinterpreting a law doesn't work, barmaids are hard to convince otherwise.
I have never been asked to not carry anywhere in WA state where it is legal, so imagine my shock when my first challenge is in Montana that claims far more constitutional freedoms than most states.