Pasifikawv
Member
Sent this to my state legislators:
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Dear Sirs:
There are 20 restaurants listed on our local Chamber of Commerce website. Of those 20 restaurants, law-abiding persons carrying a concealed weapon as permitted by the Sherriff and in accordance with State law cannot patronize sixteen of those restaurants. A full 80% of the listed restaurants are completely off-limits to lawful conceal weapons holders with valid permits.
The reason is that state law prohibits a lawful conceal weapons holder with valid permit from entering any establishment that may serve alcohol. A far better approach is that taken by our neighbors in TN. TN (along with other states) now allows conceal weapons holders with valid permits to eat at restaurants that may serve alcohol but with prohibitions for the holder to consume alcohol. Further, TN allows the owner to post his/her restaurant as a "gun free zone" should he/she so desire.
We all know that gun powder and alcohol do not mix and there should be prohibitions for holders to consume while carrying. However, it is unreasonable to prohibit the non-drinking and law-abiding concealed weapons holder with a valid permit from enjoying a spaghetti buffet with his family just because that restaurant may serve a Bud lite to the guy five tables over. Likewise, that holder cannot enjoy a dinner of fried rice and kung-pao chicken with his family as that Asian restaurant may serve a sake to the couple on the other side of the dining room. Tacos and fajitas? Not if the ladies in the corner can share a Margarita. Fine dining on the holder's wedding anniversary? Forgetaboutit. Not a single fine dining outlet is available in our county in which a concealed weapons holder with valid permit can enter and enjoy a steak and salad with his/her spouse.
I encourage the State legislature to review the recent actions of TN and AZ that addresses this restaurant prohibition for concealed weapons holders with valid permits. Both State legislatures passed laws with strict prohibitions for consuming alcoholic beverage while carrying a firearm, but allows a lawful concealed weapons holder with valid permit to enjoy a spaghetti dinner with his/her family – even if that venue may serve a goblet of wine to other patrons. (Some states use a DUI-like BAC percentage while other states have a strict zero-tolerance - re: public consumption of alcohol while carrying a firearm under permit.)
While it is reasonable to restrict persons from public consumption of alcohol while in possession of a firearm, lawful concealed weapons holders with valid permits should not have to forgo their rights and privileges in order to enjoy a pasta buffet with the family or to have a romantic steak dinner with his/her spouse in our county– or any other county in the state. While the right to carry may end when you "pop the top" to that Coors lite, the right to self-defense or the privilege to legally carry a concealed weapon under permit should not end just because you wish to enjoy a steak, baked potato and an iced-tea.
Law-abiding persons carrying a concealed weapon as permitted by the Sherriff and in accordance with State law deserve more dining options than just the dollar menu at the McDonalds drive thru.
Thank you for your consideration.
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Dear Sirs:
There are 20 restaurants listed on our local Chamber of Commerce website. Of those 20 restaurants, law-abiding persons carrying a concealed weapon as permitted by the Sherriff and in accordance with State law cannot patronize sixteen of those restaurants. A full 80% of the listed restaurants are completely off-limits to lawful conceal weapons holders with valid permits.
The reason is that state law prohibits a lawful conceal weapons holder with valid permit from entering any establishment that may serve alcohol. A far better approach is that taken by our neighbors in TN. TN (along with other states) now allows conceal weapons holders with valid permits to eat at restaurants that may serve alcohol but with prohibitions for the holder to consume alcohol. Further, TN allows the owner to post his/her restaurant as a "gun free zone" should he/she so desire.
We all know that gun powder and alcohol do not mix and there should be prohibitions for holders to consume while carrying. However, it is unreasonable to prohibit the non-drinking and law-abiding concealed weapons holder with a valid permit from enjoying a spaghetti buffet with his family just because that restaurant may serve a Bud lite to the guy five tables over. Likewise, that holder cannot enjoy a dinner of fried rice and kung-pao chicken with his family as that Asian restaurant may serve a sake to the couple on the other side of the dining room. Tacos and fajitas? Not if the ladies in the corner can share a Margarita. Fine dining on the holder's wedding anniversary? Forgetaboutit. Not a single fine dining outlet is available in our county in which a concealed weapons holder with valid permit can enter and enjoy a steak and salad with his/her spouse.
I encourage the State legislature to review the recent actions of TN and AZ that addresses this restaurant prohibition for concealed weapons holders with valid permits. Both State legislatures passed laws with strict prohibitions for consuming alcoholic beverage while carrying a firearm, but allows a lawful concealed weapons holder with valid permit to enjoy a spaghetti dinner with his/her family – even if that venue may serve a goblet of wine to other patrons. (Some states use a DUI-like BAC percentage while other states have a strict zero-tolerance - re: public consumption of alcohol while carrying a firearm under permit.)
While it is reasonable to restrict persons from public consumption of alcohol while in possession of a firearm, lawful concealed weapons holders with valid permits should not have to forgo their rights and privileges in order to enjoy a pasta buffet with the family or to have a romantic steak dinner with his/her spouse in our county– or any other county in the state. While the right to carry may end when you "pop the top" to that Coors lite, the right to self-defense or the privilege to legally carry a concealed weapon under permit should not end just because you wish to enjoy a steak, baked potato and an iced-tea.
Law-abiding persons carrying a concealed weapon as permitted by the Sherriff and in accordance with State law deserve more dining options than just the dollar menu at the McDonalds drive thru.
Thank you for your consideration.
