We just found another reason to love Alaska. One of our local sporting goods stores threw a Christmas Eve party. There were platters of munchies including wild game sausages and chili (moose, 'bou, and deer). Delicious! They also broke out the beer and liquor. The place was packed.
Of course, it would make some people faint to think of a sporting goods store full of families including children with booze and shotguns on the racks in close proximity. Heather and I thought it was pretty awesome. Yummy wild critter sausage...
I'd give the store credit but I don't know if they had a food & liquor license so I'll let them remain anonymous. Still, they'll be getting more of my business.
a little confused
3 hours ago
Chris, Don't you think there's something wrong with mixing guns and booze? Many gun owners agree with this and least in word if not deed. What are you saying here?
ReplyDeleteAlso that bit about not mentioning their name in case they'd been breaking the law, what's that all about? Are you one of those bad-laws-be-damned guys?
I'd be more concerned about food service laws. I didn't see any misconduct involving weapons.
ReplyDeleteRef AK statute 11.61.200, Misconduct Involving Weapons III: "...knowingly sells or transfers a firearm to another whose physical or mental condition is substantially impaired as a result of the introduction of an intoxicating liquor or controlled substance into that other person's body."
They key words being "substantially impaired." I didn't see anyone imbibing to excess. Believe it or not, responsible adults can control their behavior.
Likewise, possession is also illegal (MIW IV): "...possesses on the person, or in the interior of a vehicle in which the person is present, a firearm when the person's physical or mental condition is impaired as a result of the introduction of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance into the person's body in circumstances other than described in AS 11.61.200 (a)(7);"
So, no, I didn't see any misconduct involving weapons. I don't even really think there's much of a safety issue as every single weapon on display is unloaded and people were acting responsibly. The headline here is that responsible adults can behave appropriately. I know that is hard to believe, but the highlight is that in all the years this place has been throwing this event there's apparently not been any problems. If I had seen Misconduct Involving Weapons I certainly would have addressed it.
By my reading, the AK statute for MIW doens't prohibit having weapons present at the same time or place that alcohol is present. It does prohibit possession while intoxicated. If I throw a holiday party with wine and bubbly for my guests, and if I also have firearms in the house, it doesn't automatically mean a weapons violation. Only if there is a nexus between the two has MIW occurred.
Alaska uses a factor-based approach to establish the existence of a Nexus (ref Murray) when it comes to MIW statutes. None of the Murray factors were present.
I've done business with this place before and they certainly don't scoff their responsibilities. They actually made me reaccomplish a 4473 because I abbreviated my address with "AK" instead of spelling out Alaska. That's attention to detail.
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Frankly, a local mom & pop business serving up caribou sausage, moose stew, and some beers without a license at a holiday party for their customers doesn't seem like a huge problem to me. The place was handing out fliers and advertising the event so it isn't like it was a secret. I'd be willing to put money that at least one local law enforcement officer was in attendance, at least judging by the bumper stickers on cars in the lots and the clientele that they work with.
Alaska has a nice small town vibe, even close to Anchorage. If you're used to big box stores then maybe you don't think about merchants having a genuine relationship with their customers.
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Is it a risky decision from a business perspective? Probably. All it would take would be one asshole to mar what has otherwise been a family event with a spotless record.
Was it illegal? Certainly not, from a misconduct involving weapons point of view. I'm not an expert on food & beverage law so I don't have any opinion there.