firefighter4884

I see from Handgunlaw.us that it is illegal to carry into an establishment that generates 51% of it's income from the sale of alcohol for on premise consumption.

I don't drink while I'm armed, and if I choose to drink, I'll leave the firearm at home.

My question is, how is it determined that 51% or more of the income is from alcohol? I mean, I would imagine that it would not be allowable to carry into an actual bar or saloon, but what about a place like Applebees? Can I eat at the restaurant? Can I sit in the "bar" area of the restaurant?

Can someone help me out here?

And can anyone let me know what else I need to be aware of in TX?

--Jim

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rodc13

Here's the link to the statutes: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/adminis.../chlsindex.htm

They're required to post this sign:



If it's a restaurant, you can sit in the bar area, unless the bar itself is posted 51%, as some do when it's a separate room. Just be aware and keep an eye out for the signs.

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dukalmighty

The alcohol license they are issued IIRC is in red if it's a 51% establishment and blue if it's not.If you walk into a pizza joint that sells beer there is a very good chance they do not make 51% of their sales from alcohol so you can carry there,I believe it is about onsite consumption so a liquor store would be legit

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FallenPhoenix

I believe whether a location is 51% or not is determined by the liquor license they have. IIRC, the licenses are tiered for the amount of income that comes from the sale of alcohol.

ArmyCop

I can see their point about the booze thing but I disagree in the way they handle it. I think it shouldn't matter where you carry in respect to the booze - but instead have it same as it is for Blood Acohol level for driving - point whatever because I don't drink and there must be others who don't that might be in a place where they serve it but my judgement would not be affected by that.

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64zebra

remember this, there are 3 signs:

the Red 51% sign that rodc13 posted above means no carry in the building period (in the particular room is divided area);

then there is the NOTICE signs, these are posted at places like Applebee's that sell alcohol for on-premesis consumption but they do not derive 51% or more profit from alcohol sales, these are welcome signs for CHLs, they simply say that it is a felony for anyone that does not have a license to carry a handgun on the premesis;

and lastly there are WARNING signs posted at places that sell alcohol but NOT for on-premesis consumption (walmart, convenience stores, liquo stores), they simply state that it is a misdemeanor to consume alcohol on their premesis, perfectly legal for CHLs to carry there

you can sit in the bar area of restaurants if they are not 51% places
as for how places know whether they are 51% or not, I would assume that is known by what type of establishmet they are going to be (more of a bar than eating, or more eating than bar), If I find exact info on this licensing/signage process I'll update.

remember, its illegal for CHLs to become intoxicated while carrying, and intoxicated means having alcohol level of .08 or higher OR loss of physical or mental capacities

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Hopyard

This 51 stuff is tricky. As I understand it they are supposed to post a sign. BUT, here's the trick. Even if no sign is posted, you are in violation of the law if the establishment in fact has 51% of their sales from liquor. That is screwy, but that is the law.

Best bet, stay out of places where liquor is being sold by the drink; or ask the owner if you are unsure. You could call ahead.

Frankly, though it is in part my own lifestyle and choice, I have never ever been in a place where a 51 sign was posted. I have been in many places where a sign stating that, " the unlicensed possession of a firearm is prohibited." This is different than a 51, and clearly if you are licensed you can enter.

Part of situational awareness is checking out the signs before entering, and remaining aware that there is a 51 trap that you might fall into if not cautious.

TX-JB

It's true regarding the color of the signs. Liquor licenses in red are issued to establishments that exceed the 51% limit. Other liquor licenses are blue. The basic concept is that if it's a bar, it's a 51% establishment, no carry. Almost no restaurants fail into the 51% category, so carry is allowed. The bar portion of a restaurant would not be off limits, unless it's separated from the main part of the restaurant and posted 51%.

As far as the 51% sign not being posted. That put's the establishment in violation of the law. You would only be considered in violation if you remained there once you determined it was a 51% establishment.

We tell CHL students: "If it looks like a bar, sounds like a bar, smells like a bar and everyone's drinking... it's a BAR, don't carry" and "If you could take your kids and mother there for dinner, it's a restaurant, don't worry, you're OK."

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"We're in Texas....Things are different here."

stormbringerr

also,firefighter be aware in Texas concealed means concealed. there is no open carry in TX.

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later ,Stormbringerr

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IfIhaveto

When I carry I don't drink at all either...Designated Driver & CCW for the night...My wife and daughter has their CHL.