Riding a motorcycle and friends go to a bar...

[ShooterMcGavin]

This concerns the laws in my state regarding CCW in a bar... it is illegal here, so I will not do it. I ride a motorcycle with a group of friends who do not know that I carry. After riding today, the group went to a bar to eat and play pool. When I saw the guy carding people at the door, I told my friends that I could not go in because I forgot my ID. Then, (unfortunately) the doorman said, "it's fine, I can let you in without your ID" I told my friends flat-out that I am not going in. They asked a TON of questions, asking me if I was a felon, or if I had stolen from the bar, or .... lots of questions. I also will not leave my gun locked in the small trunk in my bike. It's just not safe, IMO. I finally told them I had to leave, but that I'd be back. So, I rode home (15 miles), put my gun in my house, and rode back (15 miles) to join my friends. My friends think I am insane at this point.

Let me add that I was not at the bar to drink. I DO NOT consume ANY alcohol when I am riding my bike. This law in my state, prohibitting firearms in a bar, is so annoying! When I'm riding the motorcycle and my friends go to a bar, my only real option is to leave. I hate it. However, it seems there is no fighting it. The antis would probably think anyone is absolutely crazy for trying to get guns allowed into a bar setting.

What would you have done in this situation????

 

[Cosmoline]

I ride a motorcycle with a group of friends

Unless they're all packed in a sidecar, you can just go. That's the great thing about a motorcycle, isn't it? Bars are excellent places to avoid for a long, long list of reasons beyond the CCW law. Peer pressure isn't supposed to apply to adults.

 

[kingpin008]

What would you have done in this situation????

I would have told my friends "I'll be back in a few minutes, I have to drop my CCW gun off at the house or else we have to find somewhere else to eat."

Just curious, if they're you're friends, why not tell them you're carrying? I know some might not be exactly comfortable with it, but they're adults, right? If they don't like it, they can either deal or find new buddies.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

A lot of the time when we ride, we don't really know where we are going to eat. That is why this behavior of mine seems so questionable. I planned on eating out with my friends, until suddenly, when we arrived at a place that does not serve minors, I refuse to go inside.

Peer pressure isn't supposed to apply to adults.

If my friends go out to eat, and I want to go out with them, how is that peer pressure? You are right... I could just leave them. I don't even have to tell them why I am leaving. I don't even have to say 'good-bye', I can just ride off* However, that is not how I would appreciate one of my friends leaving me! That method seems really weird, and would make me pretty unpopular. Hell, I would not hang out with someone who did any of that to me.
*If I do say 'good-bye', then I must answer all the questions about why I am suddenly leaving, as that was not the original plan.

Yes, kingpin, I agree. I am still new to carrying concealed, so I am going on a lot of the advice given out here. That advice is: Never tell anyone that you carry. I am not following this advice to the letter, but I try for non-intimate friends. It makes me seem like a total freak, as I try to come up with quick and robust excuses to avoid breaking the law.

 

[03Shadowbob]

What kind of scooters are you talking about? Rice burners or hogs? If hogs, then based on my years of experience, you probably aren't the only one carrying. Guns and motorcycles just seem to go together like peas and carrots and usually attract like minded folks. I'd be honest with them and tell them why. You don't have to be confrontational about it. In fact, a group of us like to get on our bikes and ride to some local ranges for a bit then go grab a bite to eat.
As far as someone messing with your bike or breaking into the trunk, I have been riding for close to 20 years and have never seen a group of bikes ever messed with.

 

[Ryder]

I'd tell them I don't do bars because they're too expensive. That is simply the truth. Then I'd ride off without them.

But I ride alone anyway so it's not a very relistic scenario for me. Most who ride in groups around here will not pass a bar without stopping. Takes them a whole afternoon to do an hour long ride. Not my style.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

I think part of the question is, are these people really your friends, or are they just good acquaintances? If they are really friends, I don't see any problem with them knowing you have a gun with you. It is not like it is leprosy or anything like that. If they are good acquaintances, are you worried about what they are going to think about you if they discover you have a gun with you? Then I think you need to reevaluate the value of the relationship. Are these the type of people you really want to hang out with?

I am not passing judgment here or telling you what to do, just offering some ideas of how to think about it.

 

[gp911]

It can be awkward to tell people you carry, but it was also awkward having to adamantly tell everyone you aren't going in the bar with no real reason given.

I'd tell 'em I carry and let the chips fall where they may. If the big debate starts, well, at least I know where I stand.

Tough situation, for sure. It stinks to have to risk being pigeonholed as the "gun carrying nutjob" but if there are people in the group that are that reactionary you'd probably find another reason to dislike them eventually anyway.

Good luck!

gp911

 

[Trip20]

What would you have done in this situation????

I would have ordered the bacon cheese burger, beer-battered fries, and washed it down with an ice cold Coke.

 

[Biker]

Yeah, what Trip said. "Ice cold coke"...heh heh. You betcha.

Biker

 

[Titan6]

Friends don't let friends ride disarmed. Sounds like it is time for a group learning event. That way on future rides you don't have to frequent dangerous disarmament zones. Do you really think everyone in the bar was unarmed?

 

[Biker]

Most of the bars I bounced in asked if you were carrying a weapon before they let you in the door. If you said no, they offered to let you borrow one.

Biker

 

[SeanSw]

I would have felt more awkward making excuses for not entering the bar than telling my friends that I was carrying. That would depend on the friends though. All my riding buddies would be CCWing if possible and no one would need to say a thing to each other about it, and none of us would ever choose the bar as a riding destination. I realize the issue here was not with going to the bar on bikes but with taking your CCW on the premises, so the best thing to do would suggest another place to stop. There's no shame in saying you aren't up for a drink. Isn't coffee a better choice for riding anyways?

Biker, I'll defer to your experience with hogs and rice burners. I don't ride a Harley but you can put me in the 4-cylinder rat bike crowd and it wouldn't keep me or my 4-cylinder friends from packing. Pistols may be out but you can usually count on something else being within reach.

 

[leadcounsel]

Double check your state law to make sure it's illegal. The wording may be something like it's illegal to carry someplace where the primary source of revenue is from alcohol consumed on the spot. Since some bars often serve food you could argue that the primary source of revenue isn't necessarily alcohol, but food. And considering you all were presumably going there to eat and not drink alcohol, or at least not drink a lot, then there is some wiggle room.

I can understand not wanting to tell riding buddies that you carry. I have a select few friends in my circle that know I carry. It's a trust issue.

 

[Biker]

Two wheels are two wheels, Sean. It's all in the heart.

Biker

 

[Titan6]

You would think that but I still get occasional disparging looks riding my rice burner. Dosen't help that they basically ripped off HD styling.

 

[Biker]

I'd bet even money that most of the folks that dis you are RUBS. Old Schoolers don't much care as long as you're riding. 'Course, you're bound to take some friendly ribbing over a brew, but that's just the nature of The Beast.
All in good fun.

Biker

 

[Cosmoline]

However, that is not how I would appreciate one of my friends leaving me! That method seems really weird, and would make me pretty unpopular. Hell, I would not hang out with someone who did any of that to me.

Then don't hang out with them. Worrying about how your friends are going to react if you opt not to eat with them just seems rather silly to me. Surely you know how to make an excuse and exit. I think your gut reluctance to go in was right on the money. There are ample reasons for not going into a bar while carrying, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't do it! It's not difficult. You owe them nothing. Being on a motorcycle is supposed to = freedom, right?

I would not advise telling them you pack. I offer you this scenario:

You tell them you're packing, they say nobody will notice and they won't go to a bar next time. While in the bar, some jerk starts causing trouble with one of your friend. Guess who suddenly gets voted the group's enforcer? Are you sure that your friends will keep their promise not to tell people if they're under threats and have a few drinks in them? Are you sure they'll be mature? It's just not worth the risk. One thing can lead to another so fast, and there you are with a dead body and a blood level. As an attorney, I can assure you the prisons are full of people who felt pressured by their pals to go along. Trust your gut, and never be afraid to be rude.

 

[Tin Gizel]

In my state we have to open carry in bars. IE CCW is illegal, open carry GTG. So I am fortunate enough to be able to just tuck my shirt behind the pistol to expose it and still go into the bar. Or any resturaunt that serves alcohol.

Only problem is some people freak out when they see open carry and I get asked to leave.

 

[03Shadowbob]

Biker,
He could go learn from some types of folks we both know and do some mods to his handlebars if he really needed to have something within arm's reach
(oh man, I can envision all the hell I am going to go through for typing that)
I agree, 2 wheels is two wheels. Doesn't matter what you ride.

 

[waterhouse]

If they are really your friends just tell them the truth. If you are against telling the truth to keep your gun a secret, you could have said you "really had to go #2" and explained that you are afraid of public toilets. That seems a lot more embarrassing to me than just stating that I have a gun.

That advice is: Never tell anyone that you carry.

We harp on the fact that we want guns treated like books and other every day items, but then we try to keep them a secret from our friends and even loved ones. I'm not knocking you in particular, this sort of thing comes up all the time. People generally hide things from their friends that are embarrassing, or super personal. How gun ownership became either of these I'll never know. The sooner WE start treating guns like everyday items, the sooner everyone else might.

If I was in your situation, I second (er, third) Trip and Biker. But short of that, I'd just tell my friends what the deal was and make some comment about how we aren't as free as we'd like to be.

 

[Cosmoline]

Ownership is fine to be open about, but I'm leery about telling people you're carrying a firearm right at that moment.

 

[tumbleweed]

i too live in wah and dont drink,but i do not disarm!i keep my gun concealed and have a good time.better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6

 

[PaladinX13]

waterhouse, two different things.

You can share all you want about gun ownership and promote RKBA from the rooftops- I certainly do, most people I know, know I own guns- but that first C in CCW/CHL means "Concealed" and somewhat inherent to the license, though enforcement may vary with jurisdiction. So while most of my friends, family, and acquaintances know that I own and enjoy guns, they don't know that I carry.

 

[waterhouse]

I understand that the C is for concealed. To me that means from the general public. I'm not going to lift my shirt up and show my friends that I'm carrying.

But, instead of looking all embarrassed, telling my friends I forgot my ID, or making up other excuses (or just riding off and showing up 30 minutes later and having to answer questions about my weird behavior) I would probably just politely inform my friends that I was carrying, and that I could not join them in the bar with the gun.

ETA: I see what Cosmoline is getting at. I'm not advocating that you tell your friends you are carrying and then follow them into the bar, since then you've just announced to a group of people that you are currently breaking the law. All I'm saying is that if you need to ride home to drop off your gun, there is nothing embarrassing about saying so.