Florida man brings loaded gun into crowded bar as part of costume

A Florida man was arrested Tuesday for carrying a loaded gun into a packed bar — and he offered up a series of bizarre excuses before telling cops the weapon was part of his Halloween costume.

Michael Ribar, 22, was charged with two counts of open carrying of weapons after concerned partygoers flagged police to an armed man clad in a bulletproof vest at a tavern in DeLand, a city 40 miles northeast of Orlando.

Police found Ribar sitting in the dining area of the crowded bar just before 9 p.m. with a “visible handgun on his right hip,” according to an arrest affidavit reviewed by The Post.

At the request of the officers, Ribar handed over the 9mm semi-automatic, revealing that there was a live round inside the chamber, the DeLand department claims.

He was also allegedly decked out in a mask, ballistic vest, motorcycle shirt and tactical belt, which had a medical kit, two handcuffs and a baton, which earned him the second weapons charge.

Ribar allegedly tested out a few ways to justify bringing the loaded weapon to the bar — including that he had driven straight to the pub from the shooting range and just “threw this on,” referencing his open carry holster.

When asked why he didn’t leave the gun in his car, he only shrugged but didn’t reply.

He also tried to tell cops he found a loophole for bringing the gun into an establishment that serves liquor by stationing himself in the dining area and away from the bartenders, the documents claim.

Ultimately, Ribar allegedly admitted he thought he could carry the firearm along with the tactical duty belt, ballistic vest and mask because it was part of his costume.

“I figured because it was Halloween I could try,” the affidavit quotes him as saying.

Ribar’s girlfriend also threw him under the bus, telling cops that he had not actually been at the firing range that day, but left for the bar straight from his home.

She also gave up a vital piece of information: that he had settled on wearing the outfit almost six hours earlier.

“She asked Ribar if he really wanted to openly carry his firearm with the attire, to which he stated yes,” the affidavit states.

What Ribar’s costume was — and whether he intended to be a police officer or a mass shooter — is unclear.

The owner of the bar asked Ribar to leave the property, just before he was arrested.

He was later released after posting a $1,000 bond.