steveincowtown wrote:
IANAL, and you should research and confirm all facts yourself:
(d) A license holder commits an offense if, while intoxicated, the license holder carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed.
which means....
2) "Intoxicated" means:
(A) not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or
(B) having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
Notice that it can A OR B. This topic has been endlessly debated here. Typically the folks that don't drink at all anyhow will advise you not to drink at all. The folks that do drink will argue what "Intoxicated" means. The there are a few of us that like sit back a drink a beer to see how things pan out.
Everyone makes there own choices, and these are only the choices I believe are correct for me.
At home- do what I want, drink what I want, carry all the time. A Gun is just like any other tool. I am not going to drink 6 beers and play with my chainsaw, but I won't let having a few beers keep me from using my chainsaw to free my family from a dangerous situation.
If I am going out to dinner- have my limit, stay safe, drive safe, carry all the time.
If I am going out "drinking" - lock my gun up, don't drive, don't carry. Beyond the 51% signage issue, there is just no reason to be in public, intoxicated, with a gun. I have zero worries about how I will handle myself, but I don't want to get in a wrestling match, shoving, or even a excited discussion with someone who can't handle there liquor and risk them getting a hold of my gun.
I made all these decisions years ago, and they have worked out pretty well...so far.
I follow this same logic for the most part and it has served me well. If you plan on partying, leave the firearm at home. Choosing to have a beverage or two at dinner while carrying is up to you and your comfort level. I could be wrong but "intoxicated" can be interpreted by individuals (LEOs, etc) differently.