Starting today, the previous ban, in my state, against guns being taken into bars, carry-outs, etc. has been lifted.

More news here:
http://www.google.com/search?aq=f&hl...oncealed+carry

Just to clarify, though: In my state if you are carrying a gun you may not have ANY alcohol in your system. If you get busted with even a tiny fraction of alcohol in your system while carrying a gun, you face serious consequences.

It's OK to drive a car with some alcohol in your system, but it's not OK to carry a gun. More people die from auto accidents caused by idiots in cars (whether they've been drinking or not) than victims of gunshots by licenced concealed carry gun owners.

Concealed carry license holders (such as myself) must go through a full background check and certify that they know the laws, how to use their gun well and know the laws as to when they CAN pull it out.

So hopefully the people against this sort of thing will realize that the "bad guy" who does not care about the law will carry a gun wherever he wants no matter what the law says... and that there may be some "good guys" there too - who know what they're doing, doing it legally and doing it with the blessing of the FBI and nationwide Sheriffs.

Sincerely,

Excellent. It's about time. The restrictions placed on concealed carry are mind boggling. It's the law abiding citizens that don't carry into bars because they can't legally do so. Criminals on the other hand are already blissfully breaking the laws. I think all states should allow CC in foodrinkeries. I can't carry at a place like Applebee's just because they serve alcohol. What if I have no intention of drinking? Nope, can't carry. Absurd! (I'm in SC by the way.)

Raingale, here's something to know: If you go into Abblebee's and are not drinking, then consider carrying anyway. The worst that will happen if it becomes clear (and you admit) that you have a weapon is that you will get a minor citation for trespassing.

Even before this new lifting of the restriction, I always carried my gun into restaurants and bars when I was not drinking.

Same goes with all establishments that have a No Concealed Carry sticker on the door. I don't turn around and leave my gun in the car when I get there... I just go in, do my business and leave.

Since it's concealed, there's no reason why anyone would know that I have it.

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Originally Posted by RickJ

raingale, here's something to know: If you go into Abblebee's and are not drinking, then consider carrying anyway. The worst that will happen if it becomes clear (and you admit) that you have a weapon is that you will get a minor citation for trespassing.

Even before this new lifting of the restriction, I always carried my gun into restaurants and bars when I was not drinking.

Same goes with all establishments that have a No Concealed Carry sticker on the door. I don't turn around and leave my gun in the car when I get there... I just go in, do my business and leave.

Since it's concealed, there's no reason why anyone would know that I have it.

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That's crossed my mind but the repurcussions if you had to use it seem like they'd be astronomical. As it stands if you're involved in a self defense shooting and did so justifiably and produced the proper permit it can still boil into a huge legal quagmire. I can't imagine the consequences of using it in a situation where you're not legally permitted to carry it. Now, when I say this the standard response is "Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6." I tend to agree but am still reluctant to carry in those situations. In fact, I work in a government building. One that's quite likely to be a target for terrorists. It's listed as an area of concern at any rate. Carry on premises is absolutely forbidden. My pistol is currently locked in my glove box. Thankfully this building is guarded by the state patrol and acces to the building is highly controlled by radio ID cards. Access to most rooms within the building is a finger print identifier. Nevertheless, despite the buildings security it irks me that the state that granted me the permit also denies my right to carry in the workplace. The good news is that most states seem to be loosening the restrictions. Hopefully SC will follow suit.

I hear you. The details of "what might happen" are far and wide.

In my state, if a CCW license holder uses his gun, he WILL get taken downtown to speak with authorities and a grand jury WILL be involved... but to date there has not yet been a case where a CCW license holder has used his gun to defend himself or others - and been cited with any violation.

I think that goes to show that the criteria for getting a CCW license is good... at least in my state.

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Originally Posted by RickJ

I hear you. The details of "what might happen" are far and wide.

In my state, if a CCW license holder uses his gun, he WILL get taken downtown to speak with authorities and a grand jury WILL be involved... but to date there has not yet been a case where a CCW license holder has used his gun to defend himself or others - and been cited with any violation.

I think that goes to show that the criteria for getting a CCW license is good... at least in my state.

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Thankfully that's pretty much the trend here. Additionally SC has the "Castle Doctrine" which virtually ensures a homeowner the right to protect his/her property. Once you're in public though it can be a whole new can of worms. The law seems to side with the law abiding citizen defending himself in most cases. The problem is when it's not a clear cut case. In other words, a mugger with a mask that's armed with a knife is a no brainer, clearly justified self defense. The issue rears its ugly head when the mugger lacks a knife and had a screwdriver in hand instead. 99.9% of the time it would be a clear cut case of self defense. However, the second scenario s more likely to bleed you dry financially in court. Even if the jury sides with you it's going to cost a lot of money. Not sure what if anything can be done about this. When it's all said and done though I'd much rather come out ahead with a thinner wallet than allow some hoodlum to rob and/or harm me or mine. For what it's worth, I carry a S&W 442 .38 Airweight and/or a NAA .22LR.

In my state, the "rule of thumb" is "Run away if you can"... so if I'm walking down the street and a mugger has a screwdriver or knife, then my obligation is to run away if I can. If I can't, then a knife, screwdriver, broken bottle, etc. are viewed as deadly weapons - so I am within my rights to use MY deadly weapon.

That being said, though, I don't want to EVER have to put a bullet into someone...

Truth be told, if someone grabbed me and held a gun or knife to me, before I saw him coming with his weapon, and said "give me your wallet", I'd not try to pull my gun. I'd give him my wallet and be thankful that I did not get hurt or have to hurt someone else.

My gun of choice for Concealed Carry is a Smith & Wesson .380

The law is the same in my state. I have to be under threat of lethal force with mo means of egress before I could justifiably shoot an intruder or attacker. However, that seems to leave a lot open to interpretation. What is an immediate threat? If a burglar was in my home, and I were alone with my children, I would shoot him, not wait to figure out if he was armed, or take the risk of him hurting my children while we look for an escape. The law seems to protect the criminal here, and not the victim.

To me my opinion is that guns with permits should be allowed in most places but in bars Im against it. With establishments that serve food on a regular basis and drinks Im fine with that. But for strictly bars Im against it. The reason is that its not just the person carrying the gun that is involved in situations but the person who is offending them. Many people when drunk have an over abundance of bravado and won't even think about their actions.

Also why wasn't this thread posted in the gun section of the board?

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Originally Posted by raisingale

Excellent. It's about time. The restrictions placed on concealed carry are mind boggling. It's the law abiding citizens that don't carry into bars because they can't legally do so. Criminals on the other hand are already blissfully breaking the laws. I think all states should allow CC in foodrinkeries. I can't carry at a place like Applebee's just because they serve alcohol. What if I have no intention of drinking? Nope, can't carry. Absurd! (I'm in SC by the way.)

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If your in S.C. you might want to join this message board. It has a lot of current happenings for your area as well as many that get together on a regular basis to shoot and swap stories.

Rebel Yell Guns Forums - Index

Rick ;I'm not saying I disagree . But I'm open to Cal's compelling argument . I recall that even in the days of the settling of the West ,that guns were checked in at bars and places where the ballot was being taken (often the same place) .

Cool, I'm all for every law abiding citizen having the right to carry. (providing no mental illness or prior serious crime record exists).

I'm in a state like that (Virginia)... Unfortunately I spend my days in a City that fought the second amendment every step of the way... (Washington DC).

So even if I get a permit... I can rarely use it.

I own a gun I own a car. If there is alcohol in my system I don't go near either one. Period end of story.

My wife and kids tell me that I'm "crazy", but apparently the FBI/Sherrif's don't know about that. I am thankful to be in a State where law abiding citizens can get a concealed carry permit fairly easily.

I am also thankful that the State takes the criteria seriously. I hear of many cases where the applicant is denied because of either a prior criminal record or the inability to pass the written or performance test.

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

If your in S.C. you might want to join this message board. It has a lot of current happenings for your area as well as many that get together on a regular basis to shoot and swap stories.

Rebel Yell Guns Forums - Index

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Interesting, thanks for the info!