Do Gunpowder and Alcohol Mix? Opinion Survey

[OutAtTheEdge]

Hi everybody. I had a face-to-face discussion with a friend recently that prompted this post. One thing most of us were taught at some point in learning about guns, is that alcohol and firearms don't get along well. Essentially, if you're going to have a drink, don't touch the guns.

My question for everyone here, then, is this; to what extent do you adhere to this safety rule? My friend and I found that we both "bend the rules" slightly, within what we feel to be reasonable boundaries. Personally, If I'm going to "have a few", the EDC gun gets stowed, and I generally won't shoot or handle any loaded guns. I say generally, because when weather permits, my bride and I like to have a craft beer or several while sitting on the second story deck of our rural home, and there is an anti-rabbit .22 usually within easy access. I consider unloaded arms fair-to-fondle while imbibing, but usually don't.

What say you all? I'm not looking for any arguments or judgements here. I'm simply looking to benefit from the wisdom of the elders.

 

[cgt4570]

I might have a single beer at the loading bench, but it typically gets warm before I finish it. I'm concentrating, so I forget it's there.
My neighbor has a couple automatic skeet throwers. We might have a beer, but not more than 2 when popping pigeons in his back yard.
I won't drink as much around guns as I would feel safe and legal driving a car.

 

[murphydog]

I spend all of my shooting time at ranges or training venues, so I have never seen anyone drinking alcohol at those. In other situations I suppose it depends on individual judgement and responsibility. It's easy for me because I don't consume adult beverages at all.

 

[Photog]

I never mix the two. My opinion, is that if you can''t reload, handle firearms, or go shooting without having an alcholic beverage, then there may be a more concerning problem.

 

[03hemi]

I prefer tequila shots and driving fast.

 

[sophie]

I have lived by the rule that alcohol and firearms don’t mix, and I never have.
Just my 2 cents

 

[Bro. Dave]

The way I am with food reinforces the reality that alcohol would not be good for me.

Since one of the first things which alcohol effects is judgement, I don't believe firearms and alcoholic drinks should ever mingle.

 

[Golddollar]

Don't mix alcohol and gunpowder. It doesn't shoot and tastes terrible.

I eliminated the issue because on medical advice I laid off alcohol two years ago.

 

[bananaman]

I never mix the 2 in any way. Not shooting or hand loading. Too many things could go wrong. When I had motorcycles, NEVER mixed them with alcohol. Just MY rules. Bob

 

[44wheelman]

A single drink before a match to take the edge off, a light beer towards the end of a session busting clay birds (private property), a light beer on the reloading bench…hhhmmm, I suppose….but, it’s a slippery slope.

Can’t say I’ve never done the above, but never more than 1. It’s right up there with ridding my motorcycle after drinking. Don’t.

 

[H Richard]

Don't push it, never worth the possible risk. When the gun is put away after the shooting session I'll have one. Usually at the grill & bar with the guys from the gun club.

 

[Rule3]

Why is this even a question???

 

[old bear]

My rule is easy, Ya drink NO guns, ya want'a fuss with guns NO drink!!

 

[Grayfox]

Never and I don't let those around me do it either.
Some years back I attended a 3 day shooting event. Shoot during the day, party at night. The host had one absolute rule. If you take so much as a sip of alcohol, you don't touch a gun at all until the next day. We were all fine with that. I don't think anybody ever had to enforce it either.

 

[375hh1973]

I really like shooting and I really like beer.

I have never mixed the 2, just didnt seem like a good idea.

Beer comes out after the guns go away.

Nothing better than a cold beer after a day of chasing grouse and woodcock.

 

[jeffrefrig]

To go a small step forward, but not quite as dangerous as alcohol & guns, alcohol, credit card, and a gun-related hobby, and of course an internet source definitely don't mix! I've had things delivered, look at them, and then have to go into the Way-Back machine to my last evening on the computer to remember WTHeck did I buy this for? Then just, instead of returning it and all the hassle associated with that, chalk it up to "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time!"
Besides ordering a gun from XYZ's that I've been hoping to find, more than once, well, heck, I've been looking for that, the most stupid thing I bought was a bayonet & sheath. WTBlazes am I to do with this?? At least I keep it near one of the cellar doors, as my black jack is hanging near the front door. THIS is another reason I don't do Bourbon & whiskey or anything that strong! No beer in me or on my breath from the night before if I'm gonna be at the range I go to. The PA Game Officers are good people and I'm not going to sacrifice anything to drinking. Or anything else that can alter my brain functions. (Or lose my gun.)

 

[Donn]

Don't have a dog in this fight. Don't drink.

 

[ladder13]

Years ago I was invited to a hunt camp in the Catskills with a new group of guys. I quickly found out they were drinking all day.
I never went back.

Those who claim they can handle their booze is, to paraphrase someone famous, “a bunch of malarkey”.

If you can’t stop drinking for one day, you have much bigger issues.

 

[dockmurgw]

Been twenty plus years since I even smelled a beer...so not an issue for me. But this reminds me of an article that I recently read regarding a permitless carry bill working its way towards passage in NC. Part of the new law...if passed...is 0 alcohol in the system while carrying. Go to a restaurant, have a drink with dinner, better leave the gun home. Thats what I read anyway, don't know all the details.

 

[Leonard]

Charlie Askins wrote about him and a few other competitive shooters drinking and shooting, progressively drinking and testing their accuracy. I believe its in his book Unrepentant Sinner.