Unacceptable behavior - on several grounds.

[BC38]

"BUT, I don't drink. At all. Anywhere. Ever. Haven't for 36 years. Alcohol and effective self defense don't go together IMO."
Well, like has been said many times opinions are like arm pits, every has
them!
I have a few drinks every night and does not make me a bad person!
And I CC a gun all the time at my age with a disabled wife......

I never said anything about being bad because you have a drink, or even several drinks.
I never said you shouldn't carry either, even if you're drinking.
I did say that drinking and EFFECTIVE self defense don't go together IN MY OPINION.
Even a couple of drinks slow your reaction time and affect your coordination and judgement. This is proven fact. That is why the BAC level for intoxication is as low as it is. Even one to two drinks have a measurable effect on these things.
That is the basis for my OPINION, which is that you cannot be as effective at SD when drinking.
As for why I don't drink, it isn't a morality thing. It is because I'm a recovering alcoholic. But that's me - I couldn't care less how much others drink.
All that to say, if my statement offended you, I apologize, but I still stand by my opinion - for all the reasons explained above.

 

[Univibe]

I don't touch a drop when I'm going to be driving, or carrying.

If anything happens, i want to be able to say " no drinks whatsoever." Much better than to have to answer questions about how many, and when, etc.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I don't touch a drop when I'm going to be driving, or carrying.

If anything happens, i want to be able to say " no drinks whatsoever." Much better than to have to answer questions about how many, and when, etc.

Amen...amen...AMEN to the above!

If you are going out for a beer, leave your gun at home...

I swear, some gun owners are our own worst enemies...

 

[S-W4EVER]

I live in a relatively small town. I served it and the surrounding area (as a LEO) for close to thirty years in two LE agencies, every minute of it on the streets. Some people still recognize me in public, even though I've been retired almost four years.

No way would I ever drink in public as it would reflect unfavorably on me and my career. In addition, I've always hated hypocrisy and I've always strived to avoid it (sometimes successfully).

As far as firearms, I've never seen a problem. Murders are pretty rare in these parts, but so are Vehicular Homicides these days. Thank God (and some fine LEO's that serve Him).

 

[dockmurgw]

I swear, some gun owners are our own worst enemies...

CONGRATULATIONS! You just won the understatement of the year award.

 

[Drm50]

I have a gun or two and hardly ever carry. I live in "Mayberry" and been here 45yrs. Minor theft once in awhile is it. Anything can happen, might get hit with a piece of space junk. If I'm going into area there might be trouble I carry. Two locals shot and killed. One shot by hunters from city, accident and another when he finished off a ground hog with butt stroke. Gun went off and took him under the chin. I think it depends on where you live if it's necessary to carry 24/7. Personally I'm more afraid of getting killed in auto accident by some punk kid.

 

[old tanker]

... a noticeable number of the pistols were not ready for use - many had the mags out, no round in the chamber, etc...

I have no argument with drinking while armed. It would be beyond stupid, with or without a law. I rarely drink, but if a celebratory eveing is planned my pistol stays home.

I do wonder, if the gun not being ready for use was, in the glove box or console would be a factor. Perhaps I am giving too much benefit of the doubt, How do you distinguish if a guy on his way home clears his pistol and puts it away in his car before having a couple beers. Or am I asking a dumb question?

 

[gwpercle]

My Rule of Thumb Guide is :
Don't :
1.) Drink and Drive
2.) Drink and Carry a gun
3.) Drink , Drive and Carry a gun ... way too many things can and will go wrong here .

Use Common Sense in all aspects of Everyday Life ... if you can
Gary

 

[Xfuzz]

I drink and I pack.....
Nary a thought of changing.
When assigned to Vice workin the Ti*** Clubs...we drank.
Now long retired.

If we are out and about and hit a Mexican Restaurant for grub I will likely
have a couple cold ones with dinner. Same at BBQ Joint.

No way in hell will I shed my piece.

 

[crstrode]

BUT, I don't drink. At all. Anywhere. Ever. Haven't for 36 years. Alcohol and effective self defense don't go together IMO.

Actually, alcohol and an effective anything don't go together.

PS: Been a friend of Bill for over 28 years

 

[sigp220.45]

I drink and I pack.....
Nary a thought of changing.
When assigned to Vice workin the Ti*** Clubs...we drank.
Now long retired.

If we are out and about and hit a Mexican Restaurant for grub I will likely
have a couple cold ones with dinner. Same at BBQ Joint.

No way in hell will I shed my piece.

Same here. My buddy and I shoot then have lunch and a drink. He's armed, I'm armed.

Its legal here, and therefore nobody's business.

I don't get drunk in public, which is illegal.

Ain't freedom grand?

 

[Doug M.]

A few thoughts in response to questions:
I did provide the statutory cite. If you don't know how to find your state's laws, especially about gun stuff, learn. It's important for your well-being.

I was not talking about people that had a drink or two. Although we have known for 35 or so years that 95% of the human race shows measurable impairment at .05% BAC, what we have here is people who were well over the presumptive level of .08% and in more than a few cases, twice as much. Huge difference. We are not likely to see the one or two drink crew. I did the controlled drinking for a group of trainees back in the early 80s - I had to drink more than I normally would to get to a high BAC, and I was nowhere near the level of these arrestees.

My public records work can be corrosive. Many of the people for whom I provide records just need info and education, and I am glad to do that for them. Others are just vexatious at best. I have views, but in respect for the delicate sensibilities of the mods, I'll refrain. As for cost, we recover a tiny percentage of what it costs - maybe at best $15 or so per year, when our costs are well into 6 figures.

My conclusion is that these folks were not handling the firearms in a sound manner (mag out, nothing in the chamber etc.) because they were drinking. They were unprepared.

 

[ladder13]

 

[.357magger]

I took my last drink in December of 1982 (Warm Heiniken if anyone's curious). I really don't have a dog in this fight but I don't think mere possession of a firearm should be a crime.

In Colorado it isn't illegal to carry in a bar and it's not specifically illegal to consume alcohol while armed , it's illegal to be under the influence but there's not a BAC that's the limit.

I'm not aware that it's really caused any significant issues. I'm pretty sure the law would have been changed if it had.

If I was still a drinker I'm positive that someone I've never met preaching at me and shaming me on the Internet for doing something they disapprove of wouldn't change my behavior.

You do you.

Best response so far imo.

Thanks for posting it.

 

[6518John]

I can only imagine the wrath that Curly Bill would suffer here—he was drunk as a monkey and high as a kite from smoking opium. Also howling at the moon and violating every gun safety rule before any of them were ever written! (I guess but for Thou Shalt Not Kill. Which was the original!).

And to think folks these days think they are Bad Boys!

Tombstone (1993) - Curly Bill Brocius Murders Fred White (HD) - YouTube

 

[bigggbbruce]

Not a drinker.. don't smoke so bars are a no no..

But once in a while I ride my bicycle over to my friends for a BBQ.. and I have a Mikes Hard Lemonade or 2.. usually an LCP in my back pocket..

I know.. reprehensible..

 

[Onomea]

Oregon does not have laws addressing someone with a permit carrying a concealed weapon where alcohol is served, or carrying during/after the consumption of alcohol.

I assume we're supposed to use our judgment.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

When out in the backcountry where I have my land and chalet,I like to ease my mind with the help of three hobbies.Cut wood(chainsaw),shoot guns and have a few beers.
Number 1 and 2 can switch places but no 3 always stays no 3 after 1 and 2 are stashed away.

 

[.357magger]

I assume we're supposed to use our judgment.

Can't have that now can we?

You might...do something.

 

[BC38]

I can only imagine the wrath that Curly Bill would suffer here—he was drunk as a monkey and high as a kite from smoking opium. Also howling at the moon and violating every gun safety rule before any of them were ever written! (I guess but for Thou Shalt Not Kill. Which was the original!).

And to think folks these days think they are Bad Boys!

Tombstone (1993) - Curly Bill Brocius Murders Fred White (HD) - YouTube

LOL, if he did reap some wrath it would be well deserved.
Not exactly the best poster boy for an example of drinking and drugs being a good mix with firearms. Seems to me that the poor judgement he exercised with guns when in an altered state eventually caught up with him too.

Karma is a female pooch.