Drinking and Carrying - something you should consider before you do!

[IOC]

What if you do have to shoot someone while carrying and you have been drinking?
Two of the primary purposes in OC'ing are: protecting life; and, promoting OC, so we don't lose it to the anti-gun left (that is usually their first and easiest target and victim).
If you are under the influence when you are driving a car and someone runs into you, in all probability, you will take the fall criminally and civilly.
If you are under the influence and you are required to protect your life or someone else’s, the first consideration of the investigating officers and city or county prosecuting attorney will be; would you have shot the person if you were not under the influence. Whether or not alcohol did influence the shooting, you will still be defending yourself for being under the influence when discharging your weapon, either in criminal or civil court or both. Even one beer can be used against you.
I spent 40 years as a process server and private investigator serving people civil summons for traffic accidents that they were involved in; and they were being held responsible for the accident because they were under the influence. Right or wrong, your insurance company will not fight the lawsuit in court; it is easier to settle out of court and raise your premiums.
You WILL be sued and or prosecuted if you shoot someone while you are under the influence, whether you are right or wrong. It is better to not drink if you are carrying and have nothing impeding your decision to use your gun if it is necessary. And similarly, your homeowner's insurance will not defend you; they will pay out to the person suing you and raise your premiums.
Better to be safe than sorry!
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[Deserteagle]

Even if it is not against your state's law, consuming alcohol while possessing a firearm is a plain stupid idea.

Alcohol turns off your brain, starting with your higher level thinking abilities, and working its way down to your motor controls. There is not one good thing alcohol will accomplish for you when carrying or using a weapon.

A few people will argue that it is not a big deal because its just a tool on their belt and they dont plan on shooting it anyway. But they fail to comprehend that it is a big deal. When they are drunk and stumbling out of the bar are they going to realize that it would be irresponsible to use their weapon when a person tries to rob them? What is their plan going to be when a person tries to forcefully take their gun from their belt while their motor skills are impaired and their reaction times have been slowed down? Or what are they going to tell the judge when they shot the responding cop instead of the criminal because their reaction time was so slow that by the time they aimed at the bad guy, he had already moved and now a cop was standing there? Or how about while at a bar, a fellow gun friendly person wants to see their gun, and the 2 individuals having no high level cognitive abilities because of the alcohol decide to start playing with it... The list goes on and on.

Do not drink and carry a firearm.

 

[Axeanda45]

What I see here is 2 people who do not trust themselves to have a drink or two, so they are projecting their own fears onto everyone else....
If you dont think you should have any drink at all while armed, good for you, take your own advice and disarm whenever you think you may want to drink... Bravo for you and your (lack of in my eyes) self-control...

BUT.... Dont EVEN attempt (too late, you both already have) to try and tell me how I will behave or handle myself if I decide to have a drink or two while armed...... Frikking liberal thinking like this crap is one of the MAIN things wrong in this country...

Humans dont lose the right to defend themselves with whatever tool they chose to just because someone else cant trust himself in the same situation......

People have been drinking for a century (more like 1-1/2 centuries) while armed with firearms, and there hasnt been any epidemic of drunks shooting everyone... well, there have been a lot of drunk cops shooting people, but that is for another discussion....

 

[NavyLCDR]

Amen, Axeanda45, amen!

Here we go again... round and round this Mulberry bush.... again.

Link Removed

I don't mind beating a long dead horse, though... I need the exercise.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Remember guys, arguing two opposite ends of the spectrum doesn't usually work. Are we talking about a beer or two? Or are we talking about being so drunk we can't stand?

 

[NavyLCDR]

Don't mix alcohol with guns. It makes your drink taste like Hoppes.

 

[walt629]

What I see here is 2 people who do not trust themselves to have a drink or two, so they are projecting their own fears onto everyone else....
If you dont think you should have any drink at all while armed, good for you, take your own advice and disarm whenever you think you may want to drink... Bravo for you and your (lack of in my eyes) self-control...

BUT.... Dont EVEN attempt (too late, you both already have) to try and tell me how I will behave or handle myself if I decide to have a drink or two while armed...... Frikking liberal thinking like this crap is one of the MAIN things wrong in this country...

Humans dont lose the right to defend themselves with whatever tool they chose to just because someone else cant trust himself in the same situation......

People have been drinking for a century (more like 1-1/2 centuries) while armed with firearms, and there hasnt been any epidemic of drunks shooting everyone... well, there have been a lot of drunk cops shooting people, but that is for another discussion....

Whoa There Axe. I think the reasoning to not carry and drink is the same sound reasoning the goes with not drinking and driving. If you think it's fine to have the 2 beers and drive, so be it but if you're ass-ended by some teenybopper on a cell phone and the police respond, you're the one going to jail if the police run a BA test on you because they have suspicion.

Same hold true if, God forbid, you're in a defensive shooting incident and you're have a detectable BA above the legal limit. Your righteous shoot now goes down in the manslaughter column. That may be okay in your book but some think it is better to err on the side of safety in scenarios like that.

No one could EVER tell you what you want to do, You're the only one making that decision. And as far as self control, knowing that you have possibly put yourself into a compromised condition and making a conscious decision to NOT carry under that circumstance shows more self control that getting drunk and diddy-boping around with a firearm while you're not completely in control.

But... to each their own.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Whoa There Axe. I think the reasoning to not carry and drink is the same sound reasoning the goes with not drinking and driving.

Ummm...no. You are comparing apples to oranges. If we were going to compare apples to apples it would be, "I think the reasoning to not carry and drink is the same sound reasoning that goes with not drinking and having car keys in your pocket."

 

[Axeanda45]

Think for yourself there walt, I do not need nor want your (or anyone elses) thoughts on how I chose to live MY own life.......

(although I in no way condone getting DRUNK at all, ever, as God considers that a sin, and I adhere to HIS laws, not man's)


Those who want to control every damn thing everyone else does with their life have none of their own.... Some on here really need to take stock of what they actually are condoning, as their true colors are showing more and more... and it aint pretty...

Stay the heck out of my (our) personal decisions UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS THEY ACTUALLY AFFECT YOU! not when they MIGHT do so... Or man up and come to my house yourself (dont try to send your cops to do it for you) and try to make me (us) stop what YOU disapprove of...

 

[Mojo57]

Absolutely frightening mentality. I think those with rational minds will know who i speak of.

 

[Wyldekard]

Follow your state laws or the choice to legally carry a weapon or not will no longer be yours to make. It is as simple as that. No more. No less. No need for anyone to get their underwear in a knot.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Let's do something about drunk driving.... let's make it illegal to possess car keys in a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol. Or, at the very least, let's crucify those people who drink with car keys in their pockets.

 

[JeshKidney]

Why argue its not up to someone to tell you what to do so personally this forum is pointless

 

[santa]

Wasnt there a thread on this subject not too long ago?

 

[walt629]

Ummm...no. You are comparing apples to oranges. If we were going to compare apples to apples it would be, "I think the reasoning to not carry and drink is the same sound reasoning that goes with not drinking and having car keys in your pocket."

I didn't think it was apples and oranges, a stretch maybe, but... let me think about this one.

 

[walt629]

Think for yourself there walt, I do not need nor want your (or anyone elses) thoughts on how I chose to live MY own life.......

(although I in no way condone getting DRUNK at all, ever, as God considers that a sin, and I adhere to HIS laws, not man's)


Those who want to control every damn thing everyone else does with their life have none of their own.... Some on here really need to take stock of what they actually are condoning, as their true colors are showing more and more... and it aint pretty...

Stay the heck out of my (our) personal decisions UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS THEY ACTUALLY AFFECT YOU! not when they MIGHT do so... Or man up and come to my house yourself (dont try to send your cops to do it for you) and try to make me (us) stop what YOU disapprove of...

I do think for myself Axe. I thought because you were responding to the OP that you wanted to engage in conversation on the subject. I was offering a different point of view, just like you did. I didn't see anywhere in my post that said you had to lead your life in any particular way. I did use the word "you" as an indication of person but that's about it.

As far as the rest of your response above, I don't know where all that 'man up' Macho crap came from but the threats are unnecessary and quite frankly, pretty childish. This is a blog for people to get together and share ideas. You choose to read the OP. You don't agree? Fine. But if you don't want people questioning what you believe, don't respond to the post or post your beliefs.

I have no more control over you and your life as you do over me. I'm sorry if you feel that somehow I or anyone else here can influence you by what we post. That won't happen unless you agree and condone what is posted. So no one is "in your personal decisions" unless you allow it.

Have a good one.

 

[Deserteagle]

I love watching people try to play down the effects of alcohol. All them darn scientist people must be stupid if they try to tell me that alcohol impairs my judgment! My brain is different from the rest of the human race! Alcohol doesn't do anything to my brain! And I'm so manly that I have a huge tolerance since I'm also an alcoholic! I can drink all day without any significant effects!

Shut up science, dont try to tell me that alcohol lowers inhibitions, decreases higher levels of cognition, impairs judgment and decision making skills, and impairs motor skills and so on!

If I wanna get drunk and carry my gun around then that's what I'm gonna do! This is Amurica!

 

[Axeanda45]

Walt, YOU singled me out by quoting my post..... So why in the he!! are you now trying to say you werent talking to/about me?

Macho bull5hit? I see, according to you (and those like you) defending myself (or saying I will, or calling you on it) is not acceptable... Well, same as before walt, my answer is SCREW YOU and those like you who INSIST on controlling others when YOU cant even control yourself....

By your very post claiming that people should NOT ever drink if they are armed, You are actually saying they cannot be trusted to think for themselves, and that YOU think they should act ONLY IN THE WAY YOU WOULD in that situation... How can you not see how Hypocritical you are? Wake up and STOP trying to force YOUR morality onto everyone else!

I suppose now you are going to try and say I am doing the exact same thing..., nope, I am saying leave others alone to make their own decisions, BIG difference.

 

[Axeanda45]

I love watching people try to play down the effects of alcohol. All them darn scientist people must be stupid if they try to tell me that alcohol impairs my judgment! My brain is different from the rest of the human race! Alcohol doesn't do anything to my brain! And I'm so manly that I have a huge tolerance since I'm also an alcoholic! I can drink all day without any significant effects!

Shut up science, dont try to tell me that alcohol lowers inhibitions, decreases higher levels of cognition, impairs judgment and decision making skills, and impairs motor skills and so on!

If I wanna get drunk and carry my gun around then that's what I'm gonna do! This is Amurica!

Please desert, show us all here who are so blind... WHERE IN THE HELL DID ANYONE IN THIS THREAD SAY ANYTHING REMOTELY LIKE WHAT ARE ALLUDING TO?

Or is it that you are SOOOOOOOO afraid of someone else actually living free and harming NO-ONE at all that you now have to make things up to defend/support your fears?

 

[NavyLCDR]

I didn't think it was apples and oranges, a stretch maybe, but... let me think about this one.

Well, here's the deal, Walt. How many people have a big problem with people drinking with car keys in their pockets? Very few. None that I personally know of. And every day you pass by those same people on the road who drink with car keys in their pockets. Are they a danger to you?

So, why are we so upset about possessing another object while drinking? More people are killed by cars every year than killed by guns. And yet we say, "Don't EVER drink ANY amount of alcohol and carry a gun!" but, by golly, we would never say anything about, "Don't EVER drink ANY amount of alcohol with car keys in your pocket!"

Why is it so hard for some people to fathom that I am not going to be overcome with an irresistible urge to play with my gun when that same gun sits in the exact same place the 99% of the time I am completely sober. It's perfectly accepted that I am not going to drive after drinking, otherwise there would be outrage about my possessing car keys.

And heck, 95% of people on this forum even carry concealed. It's even more far fetched to claim that carrying a hidden gun is irresponsible or stupid or whatever term you want to use.

How about if we show concern about what is really the problem: the irresponsible use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The anti-gun crowd wants the attention to be focused on the inanimate object...do we really benefit from buying into their false arguments? The gun in my holster on my belt is no more dangerous than the car keys in my pocket are. Both are inanimate objects. The danger comes in how they are used. The gun is not going to jump out of the holster and shoot people on it's own. And I'm not going to develop an irresistible urge to fondle it because I have two beers with dinner.