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Instructor newsletters.... almost forgot about those. That was the good old days!

Keith B wrote:So, while I agree about the absence of alcohol helping, just remember; you could have just one beer and it, combined with other substances in your body, would make you legally intoxicated.

I agree and you could be intoxicated with no alcohol in your body.

The primary definition of intoxicated in 49.01 is clear. It's "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." Notice that there's no loophole for OTC or prescription drugs. There's also no loophole for normal food and drink if that impairs someone's mental or physical faculties, for example if they're caffeine sensitive, diabetic or have severe food allergies.

The other Jim is right that not drinking alcohol removes the breath test from the equation, but so does staying under the limit.

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.

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?

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?

Both of you, Team Work!
I dont know, walk home? Wait awhile before coming back (sober up), have the wife drop you off and pick you up.

03Lightningrocks wrote: 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.

According to the first part of that, then, anyone who takes high-blood pressure medication, cholesterol medication, Nasal sprays, or aspirin for a headache should never use firearms. Then the second line contradicts the first, by seeming to limit it to impaired functions.

And I don't believe in the MADD attitude that ANY alcohol in the system is an impairment. A persons "mental or physical bodily functions" naturally have a cycle. The effects of the ingestion of small amounts of alcohol cannot be differentiated from that normal cycle.

Also, why only limit it to ingested substances. Perhaps we should also restrict carrying when tired, angry, cold, hot, hungry, horny, dirty, wet -- I can go on... The point is that EVERYTHING has some small effect on the body. As long as your "functions" remain with their normal "cycle", it shouldn't be a consideration. IMO

Oldgringo wrote: 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?

The same person who (a) drives home after he has a drink during happy hour after work, (b) drives home after he has a beer while watching the Super Bowl at a friend's house, (c) drives home after he takes communion, (d) drives to work the next morning after he has a glass of wine with dinner at home.

Big Tuna wrote:

Oldgringo wrote: 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?

The same person who (a) drives home after he has a drink during happy hour after work, (b) drives home after he has a beer while watching the Super Bowl at a friend's house, (c) drives home after he takes communion, (d) drives to work the next morning after he has a glass of wine with dinner at home.

Good luck, be careful and don't forget to turn on your lights between dusk and daybreak.

Are they going to make Driving While Talkingonacellphoneanddriftingintothenextlanealmostkillingme an equivalent offense? If they do, will we have to choose between carrying a phone and carrying a handgun?

Bart wrote:Are they going to make Driving While Talkingonacellphoneanddriftingintothenextlanealmostkillingme an equivalent offense? If they do, will we have to choose between carrying a phone and carrying a handgun?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-6090342-7.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cell phones as dangerous as drunk driving

I could see them making commercial vehicles and talking illegal.
Of course I got cut off the other day by the Fire Chief, he was on he phone, I honked at him and gave him a "Wave" of sorts

Bart wrote:Are they going to make Driving While Talkingonacellphoneanddriftingintothenextlanealmostkillingme an equivalent offense?

Frankly, my dear, I wish they would. There are way too many peope who have the financial capability to buy cars, booze and cellphones but not the sense or maturity to use them in a timely and responsible manner - same goes for guns. Get a rope!

Oldgringo wrote:

Bart wrote:Are they going to make Driving While Talkingonacellphoneanddriftingintothenextlanealmostkillingme an equivalent offense?

Frankly, my dear, I wish they would. There are way too many peope who have the financial capability to buy cars, booze and cellphones but not the sense or maturity to use them in a timely and responsible manner - same goes for guns. Get a rope!

The Facist part of me, would make you justify getting a Truck, Suv or Sports car.
I honestly think each of those needs a separate license to drive.
You see people stick their 16-17 year olds in Pick ups and Mustangs whent hey learned to drive on Moms Saab.
It aint right.

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 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.

03Lightningrocks wrote: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.

I'd like a law forbidding talking with one's wife while driving. I'm sure I could produce a study that proved it was more dangerous than being drunk or on a cell phone....