Guns in Bars?

[Rollo]

I consider myself pretty lucky when it come's to carrying and bars. I don't go out much these days but I do shoot on a dart leauge during the winter and I like to have a couple beers while I play. Luckily though my wife doesn't drink at all and she always goes with me so not only do I have a designated driver I have a designated carrier as well

 

[dyerwatcher]

This is easy for me - I CC all the time when I go to bars. I seldom have over a few drinks and am always in control. I take DUI very seriously. I simply don't get drunk - and still manage to have a good time. My exercise in self control is more with the idiots on the expressway than the drunks in the bars - maybe I need counseling - then of cousre, I couldn't legally carry. I guess I will just keep beating up my dash board.

 

[Beau]

This is easy for me - I CC all the time when I go to bars. I seldom have over a few drinks and am always in control. I take DUI very seriously. I simply don't get drunk - and still manage to have a good time. My exercise in self control is more with the idiots on the expressway than the drunks in the bars - maybe I need counseling - then of course, I couldn't legally carry. I guess I will just keep beating up my dash board.

To my limited knowledge counseling is only a disqualifying factor if it was court ordered. Voluntary counseling or rehabilitation does not go against you.

 

[StarKing]

That said, I personally don't go out and get hammered anymore. It seemed fun in my early twenties, but not so much anymore!

Boy, do I hear that. I used to think "get hammered" was just a figure of speech but at the age I've currently achieved it's become a rather precise descriptive phrase!

 

[Neo46121]

So if I'm reading this correctly it is NOT against the law to carry in an establishment as long as it is not posted at the door stating otherwise, correct?

What about the flip side of the coin? I'm talking about the staff of said establishments. I'm a bartender at a small family owned bar and grill and can't seem to find any clear rule or regulation regarding my LTCH being valid or invalid while I'm on the clock. Management says it is against excise law for me to CC while I am working but noone there can seem to prove or disprove that statement.

Can anyone here please clarify this for me? I attempted to call the excise office today but nobody there answered my call. Any input from a LEO would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I'm a bartender at a small family owned bar and grill and can't seem to find any clear rule or regulation regarding my LTCH being valid or invalid while I'm on the clock. Management says it is against excise law for me to CC while I am working but noone there can seem to prove or disprove that statement.

Hmmm, are you in Texas? Kidding.

Please post the "excise law" which your manager cites. I'd like to read it myself. TIA.

 

[Neo46121]

I believe that they are just making up this bit about excise to keep me from carrying on the clock. She won't prove it is illegal but swears it is against excise regulations for any server to have a "deadly weapon" on their person while engaged in work related activities.

As for now I disregard this until it is proven for the sole reason of we get some very shady individuals that frequent our establishment and if SHTF I refuse to be a victim. Like I have read in this thread numerous times, I prefer judged by 12 than carried out by 6.

 

[revance]

So if I'm reading this correctly it is NOT against the law to carry in an establishment as long as it is not posted at the door stating otherwise, correct?

What about the flip side of the coin? I'm talking about the staff of said establishments. I'm a bartender at a small family owned bar and grill and can't seem to find any clear rule or regulation regarding my LTCH being valid or invalid while I'm on the clock. Management says it is against excise law for me to CC while I am working but noone there can seem to prove or disprove that statement.

Can anyone here please clarify this for me? I attempted to call the excise office today but nobody there answered my call. Any input from a LEO would be greatly appreciated.

It is not against the law to carry even if they DO have a sign stating guns are not allowed. Unless they ask you to leave and you refuse, you are breaking no laws.

I think the part about the excise law is BS. No offense to our fine LEOs, but I would advise talking to an attorney rather than a LEO to get a final word on the question. I have known many LEOs here in IN who are ignorant of MANY aspects of handgun law. I'm not saying they all are, but enough for me to look elsewhere for a correct answer.

 

[melduagun]

carry or no carry in bars?

No one allowed to carry for defense in drinking establishments, then a crime is committed, you call the police (the men who have" guns" for your protection) but they got there too late. How many crimes do you know of that are stopped by police before they happen? Not many! When it comes your time to be facing a gun (hopefully never) will you want to call someone who does carry a gun ? Anyone please help me! Even cops even though they have those bad things called, God help us "guns".

 

[Beau]

Not a good idea guns in bars. Just my two .

I agree. Why should anyone be able to defend themselves in a bar. We should ban them in Starbucks too. Coffee makes people jittery.

 

[Neo46121]

I agree with beau. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that shares this insight. Thanks to all for the input and pointing me in the right direction to get my question answered.

 

[NateIU10]

Not a good idea guns in bars. Just my two .

Having been to MI, where you can't carry in a place that makes 51% + from alcohol sales on premises, I think it's a ridiculous law, with no basis in reality. It's like that shootout video from OH, you think people who break the law are going to comply willingly? Same as no carrying at Casinos, but we have that one too...

 

[Goodcat]

I don't think drinking a lot in a bar and carrying a gun is a good idea. I'm sure as hell not giving up my gun, so I gave up drinking a lot when I go out. :-)

 

[Militarypol21]

Just a concept for those that can't control their liquor intake... Hopefully they aren't "too drunk" to blow in the right hole...

 

[Beau]

Having been to MI, where you can't carry in a place that makes 51% + from alcohol sales on premises, I think it's a ridiculous law, with no basis in reality. It's like that shootout video from OH, you think people who break the law are going to comply willingly? Same as no carrying at Casinos, but we have that one too...

Are casinos state or federal law? To my knowledge IN law only bans carrying in riverboat casinos. Has this been changed?

 

[public servant]

Not a good idea guns in bars. Just my two .

Having a gun in a bar isn't the problem. The problem doesn't begin until you pick up an alcoholic drink while carrying the firearm. IMO.

But then again...if I'm in a bar I almost always have a gun...but if I do, I'll be drinking water or coffee. I'll also be the one driving home. If I want to drink alcohol...I'll do it at home where it's safe.

 

[samrothstein01]

(Samrothstein01 puts on his "devils advocate" face for a minute.)

Ok, so I have to pose the question. I certainly agree that the home is the safest place to drink. No issues with people you don't know, no driving, much safer than bars. It's a smart decision.

I have read that this is the preference of many of the respondents to this thread, and first let me say, thanks for being responsible on behalf of all gun owners.

My question is this (as referenced in the below scenario): What if you are drinking at home and someone breaks in? What if you are out on the back deck and a fleeing suspect decides your house looks like the best place to squat? This does not change the fact you are drinking, perhaps with impaired judgement, and faced with a difficult scenario. Are the implications less due to the fact you are in your own residence? I realize the probability of encountering the need to draw a weapon is much less, but it is not out of the realm of possibility and should be thought through.

3.) I was recently at a "get together" at a friends house. It is an annual event outside for food, friends, beer, and games. I did not carry, as this was at a friends house where I knew most everyone very well and could presumably feel safe in my surroundings. Besides, the owner of the home is also a gun owner, and I knew where they were in the house should something obscure happen. Well, it did. Police showed up with K-9 units indicating a nearby store had been robbed and the suspects fled into this neighborhood on foot. What a perfect hideout, a large group of people outside hanging out, of which many did not know others. The suspects could have walked up like they knew people and just acted like they belonged there. Alternatively, they could have taken hostages or worse. And, what if the suspects arrived prior to the police or after they had left the specific area? All is well that ends well, and no sight of the suspects occured. Point is, even if you are at home drinking, the unforseeable can happen and you should be able to defend yourself.

It is all about accountability....something us firearm owners should already have a reverence for.

 

[public servant]

(Samrothstein01 puts on his "devils advocate" face for a minute.)

Ok, so I have to pose the question. I certainly agree that the home is the safest place to drink. No issues with people you don't know, no driving, much safer than bars. It's a smart decision.

I have read that this is the preference of many of the respondents to this thread, and first let me say, thanks for being responsible on behalf of all gun owners.

My question is this (as referenced in the below scenario): What if you are drinking at home and someone breaks in? What if you are out on the back deck and a fleeing suspect decides your house looks like the best place to squat? This does not change the fact you are drinking, perhaps with impaired judgement, and faced with a difficult scenario. Are the implications less due to the fact you are in your own residence? I realize the probability of encountering the need to draw a weapon is much less, but it is not out of the realm of possibility and should be thought through.

Absolutely I would think the legal ramifications would be less. It shows forethought on your part. You were attempting to do what you thought was the right think by not carrying a weapon and ingesting alcohol outside what should have been the safety of your own home.

I'm not saying that if the SHTF and you make a bad shoot it's going to save your hide...you still have a weapon and will have to assume responsibility for it. But if there is any doubt at all...I think you've proven yourself at least somewhat responsible by your decision to drink at home. You took the initiative to do the right thing...however the crooks don't always cooperate.

 

[samrothstein01]

Absolutely I would think the legal ramifications would be less. It shows forethought on your part. You were attempting to do what you thought was the right think by not carrying a weapon and ingesting alcohol outside what should have been the safety of your own home.

I'm not saying that if the SHTF and you make a bad shoot it's going to save your hide...you still have a weapon and will have to assume responsibility for it. But if there is any doubt at all...I think you've proven yourself at least somewhat responsible by your decision to drink at home. You took the initiative to do the right thing...however the crooks don't always cooperate.

Thanks for the thoughts and response. As mentioned, just wanted to further the discussion by presenting the alternative scenarios. I would absolutely agree that it shows responsible behavior, but had no idea if it would lessen the actual legal ramifications. On a side note, I think the IN Gun Law class being offered sounds like a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the legal aspects and liabilities of carry in general. I am hoping to be able to attend one of them in the near future. Always learning!

 

[public servant]

Thanks for the thoughts and response. As mentioned, just wanted to further the discussion by presenting the alternative scenarios. I would absolutely agree that it shows responsible behavior, but had no idea if it would lessen the actual legal ramifications. On a side note, I think the IN Gun Law class being offered sounds like a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the legal aspects and liabilities of carry in general. I am hoping to be able to attend one of them in the near future. Always learning!

Be sure to let us know what you learn!