I work at a pub. An alehouse and eatery, with a full service (hard liquor) bar, sixteen taps, wine, etc.
I've been there four years now, and only in the last six months have I seen folks carrying a sidearm into the place. And it's getting to be more and more often.
You'd think this was a no-brainer. Hard liquor + firearms= bad idea. And yet...
The first time I saw a pistol being openly carried at the bar, I walked straight out of the kitchen, and asked him to please remove the weapon from the premises. I didn't tell him he had to, I asked, politely, and he complied, politely. The next couple guys were pretty much the same. Hell, one even had a buddy that said, "hey, dipshit, it's a bar. Duh."
Today, though... Today, the guy, maybe twenty five years old, holding an infant, incidentally, was irritated. "What do you mean, you don't like open carry here?"
"I mean, there's liquor, and there's people eating and drinking, and really, we'd appreciate you removing the weapon."
"Well, what if I conceal it?"
He pulls his shirt down a bit to cover it some.
"No, I mean, please remove it to your vehicle. Somewhere off premises."
Muttering...
"This is bullshit. Fine, I'll put it in the car."
"Thank you. We really do appreciate it. Firearms and alcohol are just a bad mix."
Glare. Takes the weapon out. I go back to work.
I'm lucky, because when I told my boss about the first incident, I expected an ass chewing. We're located in southern Oregon, deep teabilly territory. But she backed me up. Said she appreciated me speaking up. Which is good, because, much as I love my job, I'm not comfortable working in a bar with firearms in plain sight. Seems a recipe for trouble.
Anyway, I dunno if other folks are noticing similar patterns, but I felt like sharing.
Cheers.
10:21 AM PT: Just wanted to say thanks, folks. Top of the rec list, and plenty of comments, without the whole thing devolving into a pie fight.
Off to work now. I'll check in later.