BOTTINEAU – A judge has ruled against a Willow City bar owner charged with violating the governor’s executive order on temporary bar closures last March.

David Corum of Gunslingers Grill argued in Northeast District Court that he had surrendered his liquor license and was not operating the business as a bar but as a private citizen hosting friends. For that reason, he also took issue with officers entering his premises without a warrant.

Gov. Doug Burgum had issued an executive order March 19 that closed restaurants and bars, allowing delivery, curbside, drive-through or off-sale services through April 6.

On March 20, a Bottineau County deputy sheriff entered Gunslingers and found an employee on duty and three people consuming alcohol. No citation was issued.

On March 23, Sheriff Steven Watson noticed a sign stating the bar had surrendered its license due to the executive order and that entrance onto the private property was by invitation only. Watson entered the premises to visit with Corum. He received a soft drink, paid $1 and reported seeing a sign stating there would be no sales but donations would be accepted.

On March 25, a deputy entered the bar and saw people with alcohol and money in front of them. He issued a citation for violation of the executive order. The deputy returned the next day and saw nearly a dozen people with alcohol so issued a second citation.

On March 27, Watson and a deputy returned for a bar check and observed alcoholic beverage containers and money in front of individuals at the bar. They issued a citation, as did a deputy who stopped later that night. Yet another citation was issued March 28.

“In considering the evidence presented, this is a case where actions speak louder than words,” Judge Anthony Swain Benson wrote in his Jan. 6 decision. “While the Defendant argues that he gave up his license and was no longer a bar, the Court finds that on those occasions in March that Bottineau County law enforcement was present at Gunslingers, the Defendant’s conduct and the operations on the premises of Gunslingers continued as a bar.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2. An infraction is punishable with a fine up to $1,000.

Corum has the right to appeal. Corum commented the case “is far from over” but was unavailable for further response.