As a relatively new CCW holder in Colorado, I have a question I'm hoping some members might be able to help with. The Colorado law (and most states from what I understand) prohibit carrying in a bar or restaurant that derives greater than 50% of it's revenue from the sale of alcohol. OK, so the liquor store is out (I think .. though technically it's not a bar or restaurant), but how does one determine the legality for a given restaurant? Thus far, if in any doubt .. I stash my gun in the car, but it's not always convenient and frankly dark parking lots around restaurants etc ... are a place I feel more comfortable carrying! So I'd prefer to not be overly paranoid and jeoporize my security or that of my family when I don't need to. Short if asking everywhere I go, which seems less than ideal .. any pointers / guidelines? Thanks!
First I can only speak for my state, the Gunshine State, but I think FL is similar to CO because of the % rule. Use you head, if its a bar stay out and if your intention is to go to the bar and get your load on you should not be carrying in the first place. If its a restaurant that serves liquor and has a bar area, stay out of the bar. Don't even walk through it on the way to the can. Here we can sit in the restaurant section and eat, even order drinks. With joints you have been to you can tell if they are a 'bar selling food' or a 'restaurant selling liquor'. New places I walk into, make a judgment and go from there. When I leave home I know where I'm headed and carry appropriately. I never leave my gun in the car! NEVER! If you do let me know where you park. And I'm a good guy! cane
Thanks for the reply Cane. My personal rule is I don't drink alcohol at all if carrying .. simply not worth the risks involved should the need to use my gun become necessary (be they legal, responsibility, response time etc ...). I don't personally see a realistic way to avoid having to leave my gun in the car on a regular basis. My workplace doesn't allow me to carry, I regularly attend sporting events where it's illegal to carry, go to the gym etc ... I do have a safe mounted in my truck, so you're gonna have to do some degree of work to make off with it! The real PITA for me are weekends out and about with the family ... who knows where we might end up going next. There also the gotcha that the laws for the City & County of Denver are more restrictive and the county boundaries are not terribly obvious in some circumstances. Near my home, I'm good to go most places ... but where the Home Depot sits .. Denver and we're talking 10 miles from downtown proper! Oh well .. still better to have the option of course! D
I feel better knowing you have a lockable storage location inside your vehicle. I guess I won't be driving West looking for your truck, Sounds to me like your doing that "extra care" accountability which is extracted from you as a CCW licensed civilian. As you settle into the carry routine and put some time in the bank of CCW experience you will notice that no one expects, or cares that you are armed. When this becomes second nature, you have become invisible to everyone sans, a metal scanner. The gray areas become less an issue and you enter a state that is summed up best by fellow member chopkick who says, “Like the old saying goes, I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.” Spoken to truth. cane
Denver's law Can I carry in downtown Denver? -- The state law that changed on May 19th, 2003 in section 18-12-201 states: "An action or rule that encumbers the permit process by placing burdens on the applicant beyond those sworn statements and specified documents detailed in this part 2 or that creates restrictions beyond those specified in this part 2 is in conflict with the intent of this part 2 and is prohibited." Further, in section 18-12-214 it is stated that: "A local government does not have authority to adopt or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would conflict with any provision of this part 2." Our contact with the Denver PD reveals that DPD recognizes this fact and has informed their officers to comply with the new state ruling. So you should be good in Denver
