I've been to the scary kinds of bars where there are more bikers than anything else. Most of them carried guns of one variety or another. But most times a fight broke out...they used their fists, pool cues, cue balls...anything but the gun in their jacket.

I asked "Why?" once. And was told that assault with intent to break noses was easier time than any of the degrees of murder.

Not saying that covers all situations. But right now there are a whole lot of people wandering around bars with knives that never have a permit attached. And it's a hell of a lot easier to stab a person in a bar...and get away with it...than it is to step back and shoot someone.

Just a thought or two.

I would tend not to go to the type of bars where I might need a gun out of normal course of just being there.  However, as was demonstrated on one of my compatriots at work in Chicago, going into a McDonalds at 3pm got him a pistol to the temple while in the bathroom. So go figure where you are or are not safe, or are protected by others.

I find most people who are against pistols have none or very little experience with them.  As a second generation Marine I've been around pistols and rifles all my life.  With a Grandfather, uncle and in-laws in the Highway Patrol, police depts, and sheriff offices they will point out it's not the mere presence of the gun, it is the presence of mind of the one with it.  Falling on the old cliche, enforce the laws.

In Virginia you are allowed open carry, even in restaraunts (not sure on bars but will look) unless the owner has a sign barring them at entry.  Several malls allow them also, though most don't.  

Just a couple of months ago a disturbed woman knifed 3 or 4 shoppers in a mall and was not able to be subdued until armed police arrived.  Might have been nice to have a citizen who could have saved some one from unnecessary pain and suffering