Questions about chl

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Hellbilly5000

New member
I Just got back from the Street Dogs, Alkaline trio, Offspring concert at Stubbs here in Austin, (btw awesome concert)

Now to the question.
I did not carry due to I know I would be drinking and possibly be on 6th street afterwords.
Had I not been drinking would you think it was a good idea to carry at a concert where a large # people would be drinking (among other things)
 
I did not carry due to I know I would be drinking and possibly be on 6th street afterwords.
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Excellent decision. Some states have a -0- tolerance of BAC if you're involved in a shooting (Texas is one, I believe?). Remember, even one drink impairs your reasoning and motor skills. I didn't say you'd be drunk, but you COULD be considered impaired by a jury in a court.

Had I not been drinking would you think it was a good idea to carry at a concert where a large # people would be drinking (among other things)
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Tough call. First, check your local laws. There may be a clause in the CCW law that prohibits carrying at a public gathering such as a concert, ball game, etc. When people drink to excess, they lose the ability to make rational judgements. This may put the carrier in a sticky situation if confronted by a hostile drunk. It's kinda like trying to keep order in a first grade school class with a baseball bat. I believe I'd be temped to leave the gun in the car and rely on concert security. If a situation turns nasty, GET OUT!
 
Almost every concert I've ever been to has had security personnel giving pat-downs at the gate, so no, I'd never try to get away with it. I've been turned away for having chains on my pants (that didn't/couldn't come off), so I can only imagine the reaction if I had a firearm. As far as large gatherings of drinkers, seems to me a place to make darn sure you are carrying (provided you're not drinking yourself). Last thing I need is for some drunk to take offense because someone pushed me into them and decide to beat me to a pulp.
 
alcohol served and consumed

I believe each of the three states that I have lived in the last 5 years all had a clause that you couldn't carry to any place where alcohol was both sold and consumed. In other words, you could carry at a party or you could carry into a liquor store. But you couldn't carry into a bar, restaraunt or concert.

Assuming that isn't a rule in TX. In fact, I thought it was law that you HAD to carry into a saloon down there!
 
I agree with the noter above about concert security. They're going to be patting people down as they come in and even though I realize someone may have slipped through the cracks, most of the time the only thing you'd have to worry about at an outdoor concert would be someone having a few too many and throwing some punches.
 
Texas has a little different view on booze and the chl.
If the establishment makes more then 51% of there money from alcohol you can not carry, If it makes less then 51% you can carry.
Stubbs is a BBQ joint/concert venue.
Also no one was patting anyone down when they got in.
At a concert @ Stubbs you can legally carry a gun even though there is beer and liquor sold as long as you don't drink any.
 
I want to go to shows there! In Jacksonville, Fl all the venues are terrible to their patrons. The Freebird Live, which is owned by some members of Lynard Skynard, is one of the worst. That's the place that was turning people away for having chains or studs on their clothes. At a heavy metal concert, no less!
 
In Oregon, we can legally carry where alcohol is consumed.

However, I would not go there as I don't trust drunks to not get stupid. Better to not go and carry, or not carry and go.
 
While Stubbs *might* be OK... which I don't know, you'd be pretty limited on where you could go on 6th street given the 51% law in Texas. IMO you're just asking for trouble carrying down in what is essentially a bar district.

Texas law does not set any limit on BAC%. It is totally the police officers call and if he decides you are impaired... you take a ride.
 
Street Dogs, Alkaline trio, Offspring concert at Stubbs
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Since I'm an old phart and don't know what kind of crowds those groups attract I can't comment on the propensity for a fight. However, it's a place where alcohol is consumed which means at least one or two drunks will be there as well as some slightly intoxicated people acting stupid.

As to carrying - provided it's legal in Texas, you have to assess the good vs. the bad. You'll be at a crowded, indoor venue. If a fight starts with you as the target, what happens if you discharge your firearm? Are you likely to injure a bystander with a full-penetration? What about the panic after the shot is fired?

On the other hand, if your appearance and demeanor is such that you rarely get into fights (i.e. gray hair or you're 6'8" and muscular) then your chances of needing it are probably slim.

I think you made the right call. Especially since you'd be consuming stupid-juice yourself during the night. The problem of being around lots of alcohol consumers is the increased risk one of them looks for any excuse to fight after a few drinks.
 
Texas has a little different view on booze and the chl.
If the establishment makes more then 51% of there money from alcohol you can not carry, If it makes less then 51% you can carry.
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Correct. Just to help inform people from other states, >51% establishments are required to have a sign prominently displayed at the door, and licensed CCW is allowed at places selling booze for off-premise consumption, i.e. stores as opposed to restaurants and bars. FWIW private establishments of any type may choose to prohibit CCW by posting a specific legally prescribed sign on the door, but such signs are relatively rare- it's TX after all. ;)
 
Here in Fl, there's no 51% rule. Just no ccw in places that serve alcohol, with a vague exception for restaurants so long as you're not in the lounge/bar area. And I wish we had the same ordinance as far as signage. Here, signage is whatever the establishment says it is. It would be nice to have a specific notification, rather than some fine print on a plaque in the corner.
 
In general, I don't carry at concerts. Although it is legal and permitted in Oregon, especially if it's at a public arena (Oregon State Fairgrounds, for example), if I have to argue with a security guy who doesn't know anything except "I don't think you can bring that in here", then I'll likely miss all or part of the concert trying to clear it up.

I did carry at a Ted Nugent concert once.
 
Since I'm an old phart and don't know what kind of crowds those groups attract I can't comment on the propensity for a fight.
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Its punk music and stubbs is a bbq joint (one of the best in Texas so by default one of the best in the world) that has a live music venue in the back behind the bldg (its not a small venue a few thousand people were there)
 
Thank, Hellbilly

What I said still goes. You have to ask yourself what possible outcomes there will be if you actually have to use your firearm and under varying situations.

Also, I look at the track record for trouble at the venue. If it's record is one of few problems, even in the parking lots, then I'm more comfortable carrying only pepper spray. If not, then I probably won't go.... but if I do, it'll be armed with lethal and non-lethal options.

So there are a "few thousand" people there to watch the music and some thuggish guy decides to take out his frustrations on you (or two or three guys). In a crowd like that, if your assailant(s) resorts to physical contact and you unlimber that hogleg, some 3rd/4th party might see it and try to stop you (thinking you're the aggressor).

Or ... simple push suddenly becomes several punches that knock you down. Can you hit your assailant with blood in your eyes and between all the stars you're seeing? :eek:

If you can...and do... then what? Two thousand screaming fans turn into a panicked mob seeking cover or a way out. And you're on the ground. Or nearby security didn't see the fight, but swarm all over you because you have the firearm.

Even in the "best case" where your assailant brings his knife to your gunfight, you sustain a cut or stab wound and defend yourself, you may be jumped by well-intentioned audience members who don't know what's going on.

One reason I quit going to certain concerts that sell alcohol is that some people get reallllly stupid when they drink too much. However, the best fight I ever saw was a 6'1" jerk starting in on a 5'9" guy... and getting his clock cleaned by the guy's 5'5" girlfriend! She was a martial arts champion. Took the big guy down with about three hits, grabbed his wrist and made him squeal like a girl. :D
 
Longtooth Im 30 years old and love punk music and I love going to see live music (which is why I live in Austin the live music capitol of the world)
 
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