plinking and alcohol consumption

[Styx]

No, most of those prescriptions are pure BS anyway and even if it is legit, it is still an intoxicant and no one under the influence of any intoxicant should be allowed to drive a car or handle any kind of firearm....period !

The thing is, it's not necessarily a crime to be under the influence of prescription pills, and doing so is socially acceptable. After being awake for 18 hours +/- is the equivalent to being over the legal alcohol limit; however, it's socially acceptable to drive and shoot guns under those conditions. People like to hypocritically pick and choose based on what society has indoctrinated them into believing is acceptable or not even when the outcomes are the same.

I'm not referring to anyone on the forum, but some of the same gun owners who preach against MJ and guns are okay with a beer or a glass of wine and guns. Then there are those who are against alcohol and MJ, but they themselves have carried or fired guns while on prescription meds and/or while tires because of a lack of sleep or as a side effect of medication.

 

[CDW4ME]

If someone drank a couple beers then subsequently went to the indoor range where I shoot, how would I know they had been drinking unless they told me.
I didn't see them drinking and after they drank a couple beers they chewed a Mentos.
They walk in and I'm in my lane with double hearing protection shooting.
It is unlikely they say anything to me at all much less inform me that they had a couple beers before coming to the range.

That said, I'd rather be around someone shooting after they had a couple beers than someone who is a idiot but has not been drinking; idiots are of more concern than minor alcohol consumption. Oh no, it appears a sober idiot is occupying the stall beside me, perhaps I should pack up.

 

[.38 Special]

When we shoot with our circle of friends, since I trust them to competently and responsibly handle and carry firearms, I trust them to know their limits and be responsible (until they prove otherwise) with their alcohol consumption when firearms are present. We tend to keep a close eye on everyone if a cooler of beer on ice makes it on to the range area and have never had any issues with anyone getting drunk while we're shooting. But then, we've all known each for years, and treat each other like grown-ups.

This bears highlighting. It dovetails with my thoughts exactly. I completely understand why a public range would prohibit alcohol. They simply can't know how every single participant will react to it, and anyway, their liability already is huge. But if I am out shooting with someone I trust - and I don't shoot with anyone I do not - then I am content to let him make such decisions for himself.

 

[Mark_Mark]

And before driving home? That won't work either.

call Uber . problem solved!

 

[rust collector]

We like to promote best practices here, but we try not to tell others how to run their lives. Any mood-altering substance, whether legal or otherwise, interferes with the judgment required to use firearms, heavy equipment, kitchen knives and vehicles safely.

Please keep in mind that the internet is forever, and in some places possession of a firearm while under the influence violates the law. I am not sure what purpose is served by discussing individual preferences, but we can be reasonably certain that it will lead to disagreement, holier-than-thou analyses, and rancorous exchanges. I am not locking the thread at this point, but advising caution.

 

[Mark_Mark]

we are all grown adults here, and we know right from wrong, wrong from right. My biggest concern is - are the rules of gun safety being followed

 

[Styx]

And before driving home? That won't work either.

A 200lb man would have to drink around 4 beers to be over the legal limit. Most beers are like wine coolers, e.i, they are only 4%-4.5% alcohol. As long as they aren't reliving their college fraternity days, they should be just fine driving home after a couple of beers with their dinner.

 

[sisyphus]

nobody should go to a public or private range if they are any level of impaired, it's just bad manners
if it's your own land and the neighbors aren't close enough to be threatened by your shenanigans, then no one should have a say in how you conduct yourself

 

[CaliforniaOutlaw2024]

Many moons ago I went with a fellow school chum to an quarrie to target shoot. I didn't shoot but he did. End of the day, the rocks, sand, etc had holes and was pock marked but not the intended target. The "goodies" he had consumed prior saw to that. I will never ever ever ever step foot on range with someone loaded to the gills again. Call it bieng overly cautious or what you will.

 

[.38 Special]

I will never ever ever ever step foot on range with someone loaded to the gills again.

Sure. Nor would I get into a car being operated by him.

But if he's a trusted friend, I would happily shoot with him, or drive with him, or whatever else, if he has had a drink or two and is still perfectly in control of himself.

 

[lightman]

Drink After you shoot! Problem solved

I agree! I limit myself to 2 beers or 2 shots if I plan to be driving. After the guns are put away!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I agree! I limit myself to 2 beers or 2 shots if I plan to be driving. After the guns are put away!

I like shooting Bulleyes! Drinking an’t going to help!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

How many shootings occur in and around bars and other venues where alcohol is consumed ?

 

[Shawn Dodson]

All it takes is one slip-up to cause a tragedy.

Alcohol, drugs, and fatigue increase the chances of a slip-up happening.

My personal steadfast rule is - don't touch any gun after a sip of beer.

But if I've had a sip of beer, and, let's say, I watch a shooting video that inspires me to try something out, then I have red and blue guns, as well as a SIRT pistol (all fit in my holsters), and I use those to "try something out".

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

There's drinking while you shoot and there's shooting while you drink. The latter can be very dangerous. Responsible adults having a beer with buddies while they plink or set on a dove field no harm no foul. Chugging a bunch of alcohol then deciding let's get out the guns is a problem.

 

[HighRoadRover]

Alcohol and guns - what could go wrong?

 

[The Night Rider]

The thing is, it's not necessarily a crime to be under the influence of prescription pills, and doing so is socially acceptable. After being awake for 18 hours +/- is the equivalent to being over the legal alcohol limit; however, it's socially acceptable to drive and shoot guns under those conditions. People like to hypocritically pick and choose based on what society has indoctrinated them into believing is acceptable or not even when the outcomes are the same.

I'm not referring to anyone on the forum, but some of the same gun owners who preach against MJ and guns are okay with a beer or a glass of wine and guns. Then there are those who are against alcohol and MJ, but they themselves have carried or fired guns while on prescription meds and/or while tires because of a lack of sleep or as a side effect of medication.

That's because a beer or a glass of wine is not equivalent to smoking a joint of today's weed

 

[The Night Rider]

True Story, I went to Rehab on December 14th 1982. I was 16 years old. I turned 17 on Dec 22 1982. That's why I originally said I quit drinking when I was 17. December 14 this year I will have been sober 42 years

I never took a legal drink. I never drank in a bar and I never consumed alcohol without the specific intent to get drunk. Same with weed (among other drugs).

The reason I'm saying this is I just can't imagine why anyone would want to consume alcohol in public.

 

[Frulk]

I have not confirmed this myself but trust the source. Very good friend, MD and board cert. psychiatrist practicing for 35+ years told me in med school or shortly afterwards he reviewed a research study. Study was on the effects of alcohol on concentration and complex tasks. Test subjects did BETTER than when stone cold sober on the tested areas up until around .02-.021 from what I remember.

He stated this was because subjects were slightly more relaxed and could focus better. AFTER .02 or so scores dropped. Keep in mind .08 is the legal limit in most states with .05 in one or two being the limit.

Not advocating anything as it relates to the subject at hand. Just find that interesting.

 

[jmorris]

I can understand a can or two (no more) of "aiming fluid" before shooting leagues

Jerry Miculek told me they called it "shooting wet".

 

[AK Hunter]

At our club range we have rules saying that no one is to shoot under the influence & alcohol is not allowed on the property.
But I do compete with shotguns at other ranges where drinking alcohol is welcomed. The only reason is the shooter never has control of the live ammo, the rounds are loaded into the guns by a official of the shoot. They also have a rule if you are too drunk to shoot safely they will refund your money & call you a cab.

 

[Frulk]

I find this thread very interesting and I am surprised by some of the responses as to what’s tolerated at some organized shooting ranges/clubs.

 

[Mark_Mark]

At our club range we have rules saying that no one is to shoot under the influence & alcohol is not allowed on the property.
But I do compete with shotguns at other ranges where drinking alcohol is welcomed. The only reason is the shooter never has control of the live ammo, the rounds are loaded into the guns by a official of the shoot. They also have a rule if you are too drunk to shoot safely they will refund your money & call you a cab.

WOW! so the official has the ammo, and pop it the camber for you, cuz your drinking… only until your too drunk to hold your self up

this is so 1930’s!

Not going to lie, I would shoot there once! Have the Cab READY!

 

[Jim Watson]

Some old time bullseye shooters concluded that a drink, or a Miltown, settled them down and improve their slow fire score but mellowed them out to where they could not concentrate on rapid fire.

The only reason is the shooter never has control of the live ammo, the rounds are loaded into the guns by a official of the shoot.

What kind of shotgunning is that?
I have only shot Trap, Skeet, 5 Stand, and Turkey Shoots and always loaded my own gun.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Hanging on the wall of my brother-in-law's father's wall in his home is a partially shattered Ruger M77, stainless steel. Its been awhile since I have looked at it, but I believe it was a .270 Win.

Story goes that two buddies of his went out target shooting while heavily buzzed. The other buddy had a .303 British Enfield, and loose rounds for both guns were on the shooting table.
Well, as it goes, the buddy with the Ruger picked up one of the .303 British rounds, loaded it, and with a bang, the wrist and stock of the Ruger shattered! The action was intact, though smaller bits flew off. Barrel is still intact, so it squeezed that round through it, though I would imagine there is micro cracks in the grooves if it was ever to be checked. It definitely sobered up both men!