Some states have a law that allows shooters to conceal carry their firearm [lawfully] into most retail shops, big box stores, and restaurants as long as in the restaurant the shooter is NOT drinking any alcohol beverages. Here in Arizona the law was passed last September 2009 to allow those with a CCW permit [like me] to carry in any restaurant as long as the manager has no posted sign saying the contrary [no firearms allowed].
Last Saturday afternoon the wife and I got back from a week in Denver Colorado. Got our luggage unpacked, stuff put away and dirty clothes put into the hamper. We needed a few things for the house so we ventured out to a couple of shopping places. After all was done we did not feel like cooking so we decided, on the way home to stop at a local restaurant near our home, to get some chow.
I am packing my heat [Taurus 9mm with the extra 17 round mag] on the other hip with a jacket covering up my stuff as it was a bit cool Saturday evening. We get our booth, I take my jacket off ready to look at the menu and place my order. Most times I will ask for a Bud to kinda wash things down. I did....not thinking!
By the time the waiter brought the Bud to our table I realized I was ordering an alcoholic drink...a BIG no no in this state when carrying a CCW permit and a firearm! I immediately got up, put my jacket back on, told the wife I had to go to the car, to "do something". Of course she would ask, "do what?". I quietly walked out to the car, stashed the 9mm, came back in and took my seat at our table.
I don't think the waiter saw the 9mm on my belt in its holster when he brought the beer and that's a good thing, I suppose. I was totally embarrased with myself and had to explain to the wife that I was NOT suppose to drink any alcohol while dining in a restaurant with my firearm on my belt.
Can you imagine if I had been seen drinking the Bud with my ever faithful Taurus on the hip? Some fool could have "dropped a dime on me", Police would have shown up. They would, no doubt in my mind ask to see my permit, call it in on their radio and then...who knows what would have happened. For sure my CCW permit issued by our DPS agency in Phoenix would have suspended [days later] the permit, perhaps for good and there goes my right, to carry concealed!
Question: have any of you BGO members been in a similar situation? My apologies in making this a lengthy post. I just had to get this issue "off my chest" as one of my most arkward moments in firearm ownership! Trust me..it will NEVER happen again!
