TexasCHLforum.com

chabouk wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:

chabouk wrote:This is the same NRA page that admonishes you to always keep your guns unloaded. Do you carry your ammo loose in your pocket, or keep it in the factory box?

Wrong again!

3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

Once the gun is being USED as a concealed carry weapon... it is OK to have it loaded...since it is now considered...IN USE.

From a different thread:

03Lightningrocks wrote:and if you will read the rule again, you may see how your question has no relationship to this rule. I believe your referencing access, while the rule is referencing handling or shooting...such as having one on your waist or in your hands. My guns are not in use when sitting in a drawer.

So, you unload and secure your guns every time you take them off? You don't have any loaded home defense guns that aren't "being USED as a concealed carry weapon"?

If so, then I congratulate you for consistency.

I started to throw this out there, decided it was too snarky, but then I decided there's enough truth to it that I have to say it anyway: Alcohol is a powerful drug. It distorts people's judgment, impairs their ability to think clearly, and promotes hostile behavior and aggression. And sometimes people actually drink it.

Your arguments are just flat out getting sillier with each successive post. Now you want to go into a debate about at what point a firearm is considered in use vs can be used. I am done with this as it is getting a bit absurd now. As I already said, i have no delusion of you suddenly realizing it is wrong to drink and drive or drink while handling firearms. My only real goal was for you to think about it before ordering that second or third beer while out in public and carrying a deadly weapon on your side.

What you do in your own home affects nobody but you. What you do out in public affects the rest of us.

tacticool wrote:I would be willing to bet that most of the folks who have caused a driving accident or accidentally blasted a hunting partner said these same words. "I know how to drive a car." "I grew up around guns."

I really don't believe I will change anyone's mind about drinking while carrying firearms on this one thread. What I am hoping is that some of you folks at least give it some thought the next time your sitting there with that beer or drink in your hands while that deadly weapon is hanging off your belt and that CHL is in your wallet.

Anyone ever heard of this Country Western song? I would be willing to bet that most of the folks who have caused a drunk driving accident or accidentally blasted a hunting partner while under the influence said these same words. "I can handle a couple beers"..."I only had just one".

I really don't believe I will change anyone's mind about drinking while carrying firearms on this one thread. What I am hoping is that some of you folks at least give it some thought the next time your sitting there with that beer or drink in your hands while that deadly weapon is hanging off your belt and that CHL license is in your wallet.

Furthermore, I will also say that I am somewhat disappointed that in a forum where the implied mission is furthering responsible concealed carry, a topic of drinking while carrying firearms leaves many of the more respected members here silent.


listen "Just One" by Lisa Schaffer (Lisa Schaffer)

1st Verse

Crowd gathered 'round a school bus
3rd Street at Elm
The neighbor man said, 'Officer,
I caught it all on film
I watched my little grandson
Come so close to death
By that man standin' right there
With liquor on his breath'

2nd Verse

Another little boy wasn't so lucky
He was lyin' there in the street
His little lifeless body
Beneath the yellow sheet
While the young man was on the sidewalk
Goin' through a sobriety check
The crowd was turnin' into a lynch mob
When he raised up his hands and said,

Chorus

'I only had just one
I swear that's the truth
That kid came outta nowhere
There was nothin' I could do
I couldn't swerve, I couldn't stop
Now here I am askin' God
What have I done?
I only had just one'

3rd Verse

A young momma burst through the crowd
Pulled back that yellow sheet
Collapsed and started shakin' uncontrollably
Searched until she found that young man
With her shattered eyes
Then tore a hole into his soul
As she screamed and cried,

Tag Chorus

'I only had just one
And you took him away
I hope this is somethin'
You relive every day
You could'a swerved and you could'a stopped
But you didn't, now look, my God
What have you done?
I only had just one
I only had just one'

chabouk wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:I found this and just had to post it up here. http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of particular interest to this thread would be this one. It is about half way down the page.

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

This is the same NRA page that admonishes you to always keep your guns unloaded. Do you carry your ammo loose in your pocket, or keep it in the factory box?

Wrong again!

3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

Once the gun is being USED as a concealed carry weapon... it is OK to have it loaded...since it is now considered...IN USE.

I never cease to be amazed at how far folks will reach to justify doing stupid things. Personally, I would love a law forbidding talking on the cell phone while driving. My guess is, the same folks who think they can drink and operate a firearm would be the same folks running the rest of us off the road as they prove how good they are at text messaging with their toes.

Oldgringo wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:

I realize there are all levels of experience on this forum. My belief is that the lower the level of experience with firearms, the more likely one is to underestimate the dangers of drinking while carrying a firearm.

I have to think there is more to it than that. Last Thursday, my newest best friend (a professional guy almost the same age as me) and I were enjoying ourselves shooting our .22's at a little private and impromptu range here in the sticks. He suggested that when the weather gets nicer we could bring a cooler and have a snort or two AFTER we get through shooting.

Who's going to drive home?

Good question. Maybe hang out for an hour or so after you have the snort?

marksiwel wrote:Both of you, Team Work!

...Ok Mark...that was funny.

I found this and just had to post it up here. http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of particular interest to this thread would be this one. It is about half way down the page.

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.


Now this is not on the NRA gun safety rules for religious reasons folks. This rule also does not say...don't get intoxicated. It says never use. When carrying concealed one is suppose to be prepared to use the weapon, which of coarse includes handling the gun.

I have to say something here. I have been around guns all my life. My father and my fathers fathers were hunters and shooters. I have hunted with many folks and have known all levels of experienced shooters. It was drummed into me from the days as far back as my memory will take me that firearms and alcohol don't mix. In forty plus years of hunting, every group I have ever hunted with had some sort of rules concerning alcohol and firearms not being assessable at the same time. ALL of the folks I have been shooting with, that have been shooting for many years, don't and would never drink while carrying a firearm. Admit it or not, even one drink DOES affect your ability to reason and react, regardless of how minuscule it may be. You have introduced a limiting factor in your abilities that does not HAVE to be there. This has nothing to do with religious beliefs. It is 100% just good ole fashion common sense. Just like the rule about looking both ways before crossing the road.

I realize there are all levels of experience on this forum. My belief is that the lower the level of experience with firearms, the more likely one is to underestimate the dangers of drinking while carrying a firearm.

gwashorn wrote:I already exercise, lift weights and play tennis for 8 hours a week AND I have a bad heart with 100% blocked main artery. Can't go anywhere but up from that!

But seriously, I always worry, I am out with friends and last minute decision we go for a dinner with friends and at most I only have one glass of wine with a meal. I am not drinker per se and I worry because I am carring. Now granted I would leave my weapon in my car but that does not relieve me of the carry part of the law. It only lessens my chance of being outed. So I don't even have the glass. That is where I have issues.

Gary

You know what they say...the only thing worse than an ex smoker is an ex fat man... I am both. I am actually still working on the fat man part.

I am a bit paranoid about drinking while carrying. My worst nightmare would be having to use the weapon and then trying to explain that I was not intoxicated when my stray bullet hit an innocent by stander. For me it is really no big deal passing up on a over priced drink while eating out. I can make all the drinks I want at home for a third of the price.

gwashorn wrote:Oh great, now I can't carry while dieting on the Atkins diet. Geez, I ain't ever gona lose weight now!

Haven't they determined that the Atkins diet is bad for your heart? Try the exercise and eat less food diet...LOL...works every time.

Regardless of the law, it is really not a great idea to be drinking while carrying a firearm any more than it is a good idea to be hunting while drinking.