I don't know what debate might have led to the insertion of this nonsense into state law, but I suppose it might be (or have been) argued that even if the one carrying is not himself drinking, having anyone carry a gun in a place where others are getting drunk is a threat to public safety, because even one not drinking might be forced into a bar fight, and someone ends up getting shot who otherwise might have only gotten a black eye. I don't agree with that argument, but it might be why they wrote the law the way they did, when what they should have done is simply treat carrying under the influence the same way they treat driving under the influence. Or I should say the excuse they used, not the reason; the reason is simply to harass those who choose to be armed.