Arizona: Restaurant concealed carry law turns one month old.

November 6, 1:45 PM
Phoenix Gun Rights Examiner
Douglas Little

On September 29th, Arizona's Restaurant Concealed Carry laws took effect. Running up to the date the law took effect, restaurants were madly ordering and posting signs to prohibit concealed carry permit holders from bringing their lawfully carried firearms into their establishments.

Opponents predicted that mayhem and violence would likely result from the combination of alcohol and firearms and that Arizona's firearms owners would haul out their guns and like Dirty Harry, would challenge anyone crossing them to "Make my day!"

The reality has been underwhelming to say the least. There have been no reported issues, no gunfights in bars and no armed confrontations between restaurant patrons. In short, like most of the other 39 states that implemented similar legislation prior to Arizona, it has been a non-event. Responsible, law-abiding citizens continue to be just that. Arizonans that have chosen to make the investment of time and effort to get an AZ CCW permit now carry where they are permitted and some have chosen not to patronize those restaurants and bars that do not permit concealed carry.

In the interest of providing a readily available resource for those wishing to legally carry in restaurants in Arizona, I am introducing an online database where readers can post the names of restaurants and bars that permit legal concealed carry in their establishments. The database will also permit readers to post the names of restaurants and bars that prohibit concealed carry permits holders from exercising their legal right to self-defense. In the interest of fairness, all postings will be verified with the establishments prior to being added to the database.

Readers can visit the following website and post comments on restaurants and bars. Be eyes and ears for me and I'll make the resource available for everyone as a link on this page.

Post the information at: arizonaccwpermit.com/2009/11/06/arizona-ccw-friendly-restaurants/

I for one will not patronize any restaurant or bar that denies me access because I am carrying a concealed weapon.

What these places are doing is taking away your God given right to defend yourself and your family and I will not support any establishment that strips me of my Constitutional rights when I walk though their door.

"In God We Trust"