Firearms and Alcohol

[Treo]

I don’t drink at all so this is an academic question for me but I’m curious how those of us who do drink handle the question of firearms and alcohol. Do you drink when you carry? If you (like me) are always armed do you put the gun away when the bottle comes out? If you’re just having a beer W/ football on Monday night do you put the guns away? Do you have a limit? Tell me what you do.

Thanks in advance to all those who choose to participate in this thread

[TheWraith]

1. It is illegal to carry or use a firearm while intoxicated.

Guns, like cars, do not mix with alcohol in the slightest.

[Treo]

2. That's the second time you've stated that

Can you please provide documentation?

[TheWraith]

3. It'll vary by state.

For instance, in Wisconsin it's Statute 941.20. In Idaho it's statute 18-3302. The exact rules also can be different: in Missouri, carrying a gun while intoxicated is a misdemeanor if it's unloaded, and a felony if it's loaded. Here in New York it's not technically something you can be thrown in jail for, but they can and will revoke your pistol permit, effectively taking away your handgun. Nevada actively denies carry permits if the applicant is a habitual alcohol user.

[Treo]

4. I looked up Colorado's

And it was a little vague as to what constituted "intoxicated" but I would think a beer wouldn't be a violation.
So my question is would you have a drink while carrying? what about sitting on your couch at home? Would you put the gun up before you popped the top ? backyard BBQ? Would you have a drink at a bar (technically legal in CO) while carrying?
TYPO

[TheWraith]

11. CO's definition of "intoxicated" is when your reactions are affected.

It could be one beer or ten depending on your tolerances. However in practice most states will apply the same standard as for drunk driving.

In any event, intoxicants and guns don't mix, just as intoxicants and cars don't mix. While there's probably a one or two drink threshold for skirting the law, in my opinion it's better to avoid the issue entirely.

[Euromutt]

5. And in Washington, the limit is the same for guns as it is for cars

Namely, being in possession of a firearm while outside your dwelling or fixed place of business while "under the influence" (BAC of over 0.08%) will result in the weapon being confiscated, and you might be looking at a unlawful carrying charge as well.

But it's perfectly legal to have one two beers or glasses of wine with dinner while carrying (provided you are not in an establishment declared off-limits to persons under 21 by the state Liquor Control Board).

[paulsby]

7. why do people make ridiculous statements like this?

this is a republic. the laws vary state to state.

it MAY be illegal in your jurisdiction, but i am amazed how often people make blanket statements about criminal laws that vary so much state to state

there are places where it is not illegal and places where it is illegal

[TheWraith]

12. Where in the US is it legal to carry a gun while intoxicated?

I'm not aware of any state where that's allowed.

[inkool]

13. Pennyslvania.

There is no law against carrying a firearm while intoxicated. However hunting while intoxicated is against the law.

[Treo]

14. Would that include bow hunting?

thank god there's no law against fishing while intoxicated

[PavePusher]

16. Pretty hard to cause...

lethal injury with a fish hook while soused. Although I'm sure some genius somewhere has managed it.

[Treo]

18. I was thinking how boring most folks would find fishing W/out the booze NT

[TheWraith]

20. AFAIK, drunk while carrying in PA is grounds for license revocation.

Same as here in NY. I'm not a PA resident, but I'm told by others who are that according to PA case law being drunk while carrying meets the definitions of unacceptable behavior in the "character and reputation" clause of PA firearms law, which is grounds for having the person's carry license revoked.

[paulsby]

24. to get super technical

that really doesn't meet the definition of "illegal" and certainly not "it's a crime" as the Op stated.

[inkool]

26. Yes you can have your LTCF revoked by being stupid, but

you will not be arrested and go to jail for it.

On a side note I am not very fond of the character and reputation clause as it has been abused in the past. I feel that all reasons for a denial or revoking of the LTCF should be spelled out in the law.

[billh58]

19. I totally agree,

but I would take that premise just a little further. What difference should the "letter of the law" make, in order to determine the need for common-sense, and personal responsibility? I am always amazed when people view "the law" as some sort of a rule book which can help them to determine the moral and socially-acceptable limits, and possible consequences, of their actions.

If anyone needs to refer to the "law" in order to decide whether to carry a firearm (or drive an automobile, or fly an airplane, or practice medicine, or...) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, I suspect that they may have other problems.

[Euromutt]

6. It depends on the situation

If I'm just going to a restaurant for dinner, I'll carry even if I'm going to have a drink or two (beer or wine) with my meal, because I never drink more than two units before dinner's over and I go home.

If there's going to be social drinking (party, hanging out with friends, etc.), I assume it's not going to stop at two drinks so I don't carry, or if I'm at a house of my gun-owning friends, I clear and stick my carry piece in their safe before we open any bottles. Ditto if I'm drinking at home.

[Tim01]

8. If I am going to drink, I put the gun away first. nt

[jeepnstein]

9. I quit drinking...

years ago. When I did, my rule, and all my friends' rule, was simple. If you touch one drop of alcohol guns are simply out of the question. Since I always store my firearms under lock and key unless it is in use, this wasn't really much of a problem.

Sure, I know somebody can bring up the scenario of being attacked while drinking. Too bad, so sad. If I'm in a position where my threat level is that high I have no business drinking anyway. Drinking allows one to lower their guard. It messes with judgment. Accidental shootings happen much more often while drunk than sober. Somebody always will come along and say "I can handle it" but I'm not buying it.

In my world, if I'm not using a firearm it is kept under lock and key. In other words, if it's not on my hip it's locked up. Not sitting on a shelf, or under the mattress, or in the freezer, not even on the night stand, under lock and key.

[slackmaster]

10. I never mix the two. No exceptions.

I do take some cold beer along when I take people out to open ranges. However, the beer stays in the cooler until every weapon has been field-cleaned and secured.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

22. Are you guys kidding? My cooler has a built in holster!

Just kidding - :)

[JonQ]

15. I would say err on the side of caution

if you're drinking, don't have a gun, if you have a gun don't drink.

[PavePusher]

17. I pretty much follow...

jeepnstein & slackmaster on this. My home defense weapons do not get locked up, but then I don't drink to actual intoxication these days. Four paced drinks over 90 minutes+ will not get me intoxicated, but do cause a mild hangover the next day. I'm well past the age of needing/wanting to get that blotto, and don't care for the after-effects. And in my circumstances, if I need to actually shoot someone in self-defense in my home, I think the evidence will be pretty clear regardless of if I was drunk or sober.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

21. I carry usually daily.

Occasionally on the way home form work I'll have a few drinks at the pub with the guys. 2-3 beers, nothing much really. In OH the guns cannot go into the bars, so I just put it in the glovebox and it stays there until I get home. I do not unload or lock it up when I' in the car... never know when you might need it. If I'm carrying and in a private setting (at a party or something) and feel like a drink, I limit it to 2 beers or so... no different than if I were planning to drive. I generally treat public carry of a firearm and drinking like drinking and planning to drive.

I'm not big on getting 'drunk' and maybe once or twice a year I'll get obliterated. If I plan on any real drinkin', I'll put the steel away long before then.

Now shooting/fishing... shooting clays with shotguns on private property? No body really cares then... which is probably terrible but that's how it's been. 4-5 guys, a few cases of beer and a few hundred clays to share. Great times.

[Tim01]

25. Texas?

It sounds like Texas. I spent my teens there.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

32. Ohio... we can't carry anywhere booze is served. :( n/t

[Hangingon]

23. You can loose your Texas CHL for DUI or public drunkeness.

It is unlawful to carry in an establishment that derives 51% of its revenue from the sale of alcohol. As for hunting and range sessions, don't bring out the bottle until the guns are cleaned and put away.

[AtheistCrusader]

27. There are two places I drink.

On the gambling floors in Vegas, and on any chartered fishing vessel I am not piloting. Two places I do not carry.

Otherwise I do not drink. Side note, laws forbidding me from carrying in a bar are annoying, because it means I have to leave the gun home, or in the car. Which is bullshit, since I'm always the designated driver.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Treo]

29. Yup I'm a horrible FREEPER spy

did you forget this part ?

By and large though they’re not all that much different than we are except they expect the militias to try to overthrow the government and we expect it to be the UN. The problem is the far-left really wacko fringe they’re the ones that are literally calling for a war Left V. Right

I never lied once here on DU I get in trouble on the far right sites because I'm too far left and on the far left sites because I'm to far right. Meanwhile I pretty much stay here in the gungeon and hang out W/ pro gun people that are just like me. I have stated on this board that I supported Bush until the middle of his second term I have further stated that I don't trust Obama, McCain or PALIN ( except she'll leave my guns alone) or anyone else that would actually want to be the President. and I have repeatedly classified my self as a centrist Libertarian. I also obey the rules here. so what exactly are you accusing me of?

ETA
While we're at it since 11/17/08 I have 116 posts on TOL in the last month I've racked up 450+ here (mostly arguing W/ grabbers such as yourself) so where am I a member and where am I a troll again?

[Go2Peace]

30. But you aren't being comepletely open either

All anyone need do is go to google and enter

treo site:thetreeofliberty.com

And they will see that your views are almost completely at odds with this site. Why are you here?

By the way, I see that you are from Colorado Springs and appear to be Evangelical (maybe Baptist, since you did not like the pentacostal VP candidate?), not trying to get personal, but I belonged to several Evangelical cults (they are cults IMO) for 20 years, until I realized they don't know Jesus, but a an imitation based on wordly views (I am still a Christian in faith). We could actually have some interesting discussions and probably have a lot in common. But I have to wonder why you are here, as much of your ideology from your posts seems to imply you see this site as an "opposition" frequented site?

[Treo]

31. I am being open My views are changing

Something else I wrote on THR.us about the DU ( I even called it DUng when I started the thread)

Treo
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-30-07
Location: Co. Springs
Posts: 3,616 We Are Doing Ourselves A Huge Disservice

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By alienating a potential ally. After being on DU for less than a week (And Iverglass already hates me) and I’ve found several people over there who are just as vocal about the second amendment as we are. For the same reasons. And they make some of the same arguments we do almost verbatim.

These are the people that are telling the Democrat control house to BTFO our gun rights if you want to keep your job. We need to find common ground

If anyplace is my home it's THR and a lot of people from here know me from there so It's not like I'm some hidden spook

The core of both “wings” isn’t all that much different in their beliefs we just call our bogeymen different names (FREEPER V. Socialist). I see people here (who I assume are accepted members of DU) defending Randy Weaver and saying WACO was wrong. People at the Tree of Liberty (who quite honestly are a little religiously dogmatic and yes I’ve said that THERE for my taste) are just as curious about the video of the protester being shoved in the car at G20 as people here are. And it’s funny as hell to listen to you guys damn the MSM as too right while the people at THR call them Leftist flunkies.

But I have to wonder why you are here,

Because I like to talk about guns and I have found common ground with some people here.And, as I said, people I know and respect from other places post here too. We aren’t that different from one another and both sides need to turn off Hannity, Beck, Maddow, Limbaugh and Oblerman and find that out. I don't know if you've noticed but the whackos on both sides are stockpiling guns and calling for a war.

you are from Colorado Springs and appear to be Evangelical (maybe Baptist, since you did not like the Pentecostal VP candidate?

I don’t like the Pentecostal VP candidate because she’s a flake (She has the honor of being the last Republican I will ever vote for BTW) I voted strictly on her pro RKBA stance. If the politicians leave me my guns I can defend the rest of my liberties just fine thanks. I am what you would call a “cultist” I’m a Charismatic full Gospel Christian and I don’t argue religion.

I’ve never broke a rule here and you guys have changed my mind on a few things isn’t that the purpose of this site?

Abraham Lincoln once said "The easiest way to destroy your enemy is to make him your friend" the ball is in your court

Grammatical