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Better know your gun laws, and better yet, know your gun

This past week Giants receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in a New York night club. He signed a $35 million dollar contract after making a significant contribution to winning last years super bowl. So he and his family were living the American Dream and living at the very top of the income bracket.

Where he made some mistakes were fairly obvious. He carried a firearm into a bar. I am not aware of any state that has laws allowing the normal citizen to carry a firearm into a bar. The second is that he did not fully understand how to use his firearm. The gun slid down his pants and went off when he tried to stop the gun from going all the way down his pants leg. He was carrying a round in the camber with the safety off, and not in a secure holster. The third was to drink and try to carry a gun. Alcohol and guns do not mix. The police will throw the book at you if you are around Alcohol and guns.

So a young man that has the American Dream by the tail may be facing jail time and potentially loosing his fortune just for carrying a fire arm into a bar, and not knowing how to safely carry the fire arm. It also makes me wonder if he had practiced very often, or did he just buy the gun?

This is a lesson we can all learn from. If your carry a gun, do not drink. If you are sober and carry a gun, know how to use your fire arm.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range.  Clark

Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 by Clark filed under

4 comments (Add your own)

1. bernie wrote:
I just recently obtained a CCW for myself in the State of Maine. In this state the laws do seem a bit confusing as to where the line is drawn between legal and not legal carrying. In one area the regulation reads it is unlawfull to carry in a "posted liquor establishment". However the next paragraph reads that the amount of alcohol allowed in the holders bloodstream is similar to the drunk driving laws in this state. Another gray area is what is a posted liquor establishment? Just about every establishment has a perminant wet bar with a fixed sink. Does the rule if kids are allowed on premise than its OK to carry? While my trips to the bar are limited I do like to frequent restruants for dinner that have a bar in them and allow children on premise.

December 3, 2008 @ 3:48 PM

2. Larry wrote:
Not sure about Maine's laws. But in Washington state, it is legal to be in an establishment that serves alcohol and food. So long as the establishment does at least 50% of it's business in food. Also, Alcohol consumption while carrying is a big no-no in any state, no matter the amount. My suggestion would be to spend an hr with a competent attorney and get the facts on the laws in your state. it's well worth the couple of hundred bucks so you know exactly where you stand. Also, take notes while in your meeting, it's better if things are on paper so you can reference back at a later date. one more thing, find a lawyer that is "gun friendly" so that when different scenarios are discussed and he will know what you are talking about.

December 6, 2008 @ 10:14 PM

3. Jesse wrote:
I have a CCW permit in Minnesota and here we have no laws banning the carrying of a pistol in any establishment that serves alcohol. It is up to each individual business as to weather or not they wish to ban the carrying of firearms, and not very many do.

December 15, 2008 @ 2:25 PM

4. Bill Kirk wrote:
In the state of New Jersey a person cannot get a CCW unless you are politically connected or a police man..

December 28, 2008 @ 12:18 PM

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