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by Keith B
Thu Aug 20, 2015 8:32 am
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: An Alcoholic Drink While Carrying
Replies: 45
Views: 9947

Re: An Alcoholic Drink While Carrying

rentz wrote:
my instructor went over this exact issue and said that basically there isnt a "legal limit" for carrying its anything they judge to be impaired which COULD be just 1 drink. Not worth the risk to me.
This is correct, but it also goes for driving.

TPC 49.01 is the law on intoxicated for driving or carrying. The issue will be if a LEO is going to be more critical with a person carrying than with someone driving when it comes to saying the person was intoxicated. Without any evidence from a BAC, then an officer will have a much harder time proving the person was intoxicated to a judge or jury. It will come down to the officer's testimony in court and the perceived experience of the officer in making the determination of intoxication as seen by the judge and/or jury. Other things would have to be used to show there was impairment, like dashcam video, recorded audio of slurred speech, etc to solidify the case.

In the end, it may mean you would beat the rap, but you may not beat the ride when it comes to an officer that decides any smell of alcohol on your breath means you are impaired, whether you are driving, carrying, or both.
by Keith B
Wed Aug 19, 2015 3:47 pm
Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
Topic: An Alcoholic Drink While Carrying
Replies: 45
Views: 9947

Re: An Alcoholic Drink While Carrying

Daniel Watson wrote:During my CHL Instructor's Course the DPS Officer defined "intoxication - for THE purpose of carrying a handgun" is defined as, "The consumption of ANY substance that CAN cause impairment." That means any drug, alcohol, etc. I wanted further clarification on this so I did some research and spoke with lawyers from [Pre-paid legal service]. Subsequently, I found that there are three different statutes under Texas law the define "intoxication"; 1) TXPC 49.01 (the .08) law. 2) TXPC 46.06 ...intoxication means the substantial impairment of mental or physical capacity resulting from the introduction of any substance into the body... 3) TXPC 8.04 ...intoxication means a disturbance of mental or physical capacity resulting from the introduction of any substance into the body...

However, the State of Texas has ONLY prosecuted under the TXPC 49.01 statute (.08 law). But that doesn't mean that you cannot be arrested under the other statutes if the officer speaking to you discovers you've been drinking and HE determines that you are either "substantially impaired" (46.06) or "disturbed" (8.04). If THE OFFICER makes that determination then you will "take the ride." And remember, under those statutes the officer only has to verbally "prove" that in court and there's no requirement for an intoxilyzer test, blood test or anything else.

Therefore, I explain all this to my students and tell them to use their best judgment but remember, you may "beat the rap, but you can't beat The Ride!!" So use REALLY GOOD judgement.
TPC 49.01 is not only 0.08 BAC; it's not having normal use of mental or physical faculties OR 0.08 or more BAC. So, for carrying with a CHL while intoxicated, either standard can be used as defined by 49.01. TPC 46.06 would only apply if you sold a gun to someone intoxicated, and TPC 8.04 would only apply if you were trying to claim temporary insanity due to intoxication for a charge. Otherwise they would not be applicable as to the definition of intoxication.
TPC 49.01
......
(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.
- See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/ ... 47qii.dpuf

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