Concealed Carry in Establishments Serving Alcohol…
Question: What is the current status of right to carry with a valid Arizona CCW into establishments serving alcohol – assuming, of course, that I am not consuming alcohol.
Answer: The law is unchanged from what is has been for a very long time. No firearms are permitted in any establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on the premises. It doesn’t matter if you are openly carrying or concealed, the answer is the same.
Last year the there was legislation introduced to permit concealed carry in establishments that serve alcohol as long as the person with the firearm was not ‘partaking’ of any alcohol. It did not ever go to a vote as I recall. There is a possibility that the legislation might be reintroduced this year, but with the budget issues in the state taking first priority, it might not make it into this session.
So I finally got my CCW…. now what? Besides allowing me to carry a firearm concealed instead of open carry, what else does this allow me to do? I hear that I can purchase a firearm and show my CCW instead of going through and waiting for the background check…. is this about it? Or am I missing something here?
An AZ CCW also allows you to carry a weapon in parks where firearms are otherwise prohibited. Any time you see a sign with the statement, “Carrying a firearm…is limited to persons who possess a permit issued pursuant to section 13-3112,” only CCW holders can carry a firearm.
Somehow I think you missed the whole point. It’s not the carrying, it’s the right to be ready to defend yourself without advertising the fact that you’re carrying. If someone knows ahead of time who’s packing, they’ll confront you first. It’s their NOT knowing that gives us the advantage.
The only thing that your AZ CCW allows you to do is carry a firearm concealed instead of openly in any place where it is legal for you to have a firearm. You can also now bypass the NICS check if you purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer by presenting them your AZ CCW. That’s about it.