Source: https://liberty-lawyer.com/practice-areas/gun-defense-attorney/carrying-influence/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 08:36:02+00:00

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When it comes to Minnesota carry laws, alcohol is a concern. Carrying under the influence is a crime in a public place. Can you carry in a bar? This page by Gun Crimes Defense Attorney Thomas Gallagher will explore these topics.
the person’s alcohol concentration is more than 0.04.
A police officer may arrest without a warrant upon probable cause of this offense, without regard to whether committed in officer’s presence.
Prevention take-away: On a practical level, you’re not going to be “carrying under the influence” at that low alcohol level. That’s why the real limit is the 0.04 alcohol concentration. A 180 pound male could be over 0.04 after just two drinks or beers. A 110 pound female cold be over after just one. As a result, the best plan may be to avoid drinking at all while carrying in public.
Otherwise, look at a Widmark formula chart to find out how many drinks it takes to get you to 0.04. Then if you do drink, count your drinks at stay below.
Preliminary screening tests, or portable breath test machines (PBT), are screening tests. Screening means better than nothing but not accurate. That’s why a positive result on a screening test should be followed by an evidentiary chemical test. An evidentiary chemical test of breath, urine or blood is more accurate than a screening test. They can still be unreliable, but we won’t get into that here.
When: A police officer may have reason to believe that the person was carrying under the influence or over 0.04. If so, the officer may require the person to provide a breath sample for a preliminary screening test.
whether to require the evidentiary chemical tests authorized in section § 624.7143.
in a civil action arising out of the use of the pistol.
Following the preliminary screening test, a police officer may require additional, evidentiary tests as provided under section 624.7143.
A person who refuses a breath sample for a PBT is subject to the provisions of section § 624.7143 for an evidentiary chemical test unless, the person submits to a blood, breath, or urine test.
then the officer may require a evidentiary chemical test. Minnesota Statutes § 624.7143, subd. 1.
The police officer can request a breath sample for the evidentiary chemical test. Note that this is different than the previous preliminary screening test of breath. And, with a search warrant, the officer can request a urine or blood sample for an evidenitary test . Minnesota Statutes § 624.7143, subd. 1, 1a.
The evidentiary chemical test is “mandatory” under those conditions. The penalty for refusal is civil, not criminal. The Driving Under the Influence laws in Minnesota create a crime for refusing an evidentiary chemical test. The carry permit laws do not create a refusal crime. The DUI Refusal Crime law has been under attack for years, for many reasons we won’t discuss here.
Minnesota Statutes § 624.7143, subd. 2.
Minnesota Statutes § 624.7143, subd. 3.
Is it legal to carry in a bar in Minnesota with a permit?
If arrested for carrying under the influence, should you use your right to consult an attorney? Yes, you should, before deciding whether to give another sample for chemical testing.
Ideally, call one of the criminal lawyers who knows gun laws, like Gun Defense Attorney Thomas Gallagher.
Why call a lawyer? If police fail to help vindicate your right to pre-test counsel, you could win on that basis. And, if you do consult with a knowledgeable attorney on the phone, you’ll better understand the law and your choices.
Over 0.04 is a misdemeanor crime. A subsequent violation, or a 0.10 or more, is a gross misdemeanor.
In addition, if 0.10 or more: revocation of authority to carry a pistol in a public place. And the person may not reapply for a period of one year from the date of conviction.
If over 0.04: suspension of authority to carry a pistol in a public place. The suspension is for 180 days from the date of conviction.
Property rights: Firearm carried in violation of over 0.04, is not subject to forfeiture.
Refusal of a chemical test is not a crime. But a prosecutor could prosecute a carrying under the influence crime using other evidence of impairment, if any. This is similar to a DUI case. If the prosecutor has no chemical test evidence, they can’t prosecute for being over the arbitrary legal limit. But they can prosecute for Driving Under the Influence if there is other evidence of impaired driving.
Generally, yes, if you have a Minnesota carry permit, you can carry a handgun in a bar in Minnesota. But it’s illegal to carry under the influence or over 0.04, in a bar.
Because the 0.04 alcohol concentration level is so low, avoid drinking at all when carrying in bar. If you do drink, know how many it takes to get to 004 for you. Then count your drinks to be sure you’re below the 0.04 limit. For most people that will be one or maybe two “airport” drinks. Your gender and your weight are the main factors affecting how much alcohol it takes to get over 0.04. Look at a Widmark formula chart to learn about that.
So, yes you can legally carry in a bar in Minnesota. But you can’t legally carry over 0.04 alcohol concentration. The exception would be a bar that a properly posts “no guns” sign, or gives a verbal request to leave.
As always, it’s up to you whether you want help from a professional. In general though, anytime you’re facing a criminal charge you should hire a lawyer to help prevent a conviction. And a lawyer could help you avoid losing your carry permit. At the least, call a good criminal defense lawyer who knows carry laws, alcohol cases, like Thomas Gallagher.

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