When do you NOT carry a firearm?

[RBid]

"Interesting to hear people say they don't carry when they know they will be drinking. I am in the process of obtaining my CWP now and I always imagined that knowing I am carrying would be a blessing for me when alcohol is around because I will force myself to drink moderately.

I guess a lot of people have no interest in moderation sometimes (understandably so) so they leave the piece at home."

I was a bartender for about 6 and a half years. I never met anyone who didn't "know how much they could handle".

I now work at an LGS. One day, a guy came in and was talking to a coworker and I. He said, "Last year, some of my buddies and I were hanging out, having a couple beers, shooting some cans-" and my buddy and I simultaneously said, "Who got shot?" He looked surprised, and asked how we knew.

Alcohol and firearms do not mix. I know that many people will disagree, but the simple fact is that zero is the best amount to consume while you have ready access to a firearm.

 

[Warp]

Interesting to hear people say they don't carry when they know they will be drinking. I am in the process of obtaining my CWP now and I always imagined that knowing I am carrying would be a blessing for me when alcohol is around because I will force myself to drink moderately.

I guess a lot of people have no interest in moderation sometimes (understandably so) so they leave the piece at home.

'

In public I either don't drink or don't carry.

And it has nothing to do with moderation. Don't put words into people's mouths, or make judgments based on assumptions.

I don't think the risk/reward justifies consuming alcohol, in public, while armed. If the worse should happen and I am forced to use lethal force to defend myself or another person, you better darn well believe I want a 0.000 BAC.

 

[Rawss]

in bars, post office etc

 

[hariph creek]

Everywhere LEGAL, except swimming. When I can find one, I'm picking up a KelTec P32. That'll be my swimming gun.
Also, I don't get drunk or go in bars. But, if I'm going to have a drink (even one)? I don't carry or drive. Needless to say, I don't drink in public.

 

[Potatohead]

dentist. guns and laughing gas dont mix

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

...I was a bartender for about 6 and a half years. I never met anyone who didn't "know how much they could handle"...

I don't understand... Have you never met anyone who just had 1 drink and then said "ok, I'm going to head home"?

'

In public I either don't drink or don't carry.

And it has nothing to do with moderation. Don't put words into people's mouths, or make judgments based on assumptions.

I don't think the risk/reward justifies consuming alcohol, in public, while armed. If the worse should happen and I am forced to use lethal force to defend myself or another person, you better darn well believe I want a 0.000 BAC.

I agree with the stance that it would be best to be 100% sober, in any situation where you were forced to defend yourself. It would also be best to be well rested, well fed, and not be slowed down by having a cold or allergies.

I will still carry when I plan to go out for dinner and have a single beer. After having 1 beer in an hour, I will still drive home. That isn't the absolute best time to need to swerve to avoid a potential car accident, but I have also stayed awake for 16 hours (sober) and driven home too. I will still carry a pocket knife when having a drink as well.

 

[Warp]

I agree with the stance that it would be best to be 100% sober, in any situation where you were forced to defend yourself. It would also be best to be well rested, well fed, and not be slowed down by having a cold or allergies.

I will still carry when I plan to go out for dinner and have a single beer. After having 1 beer in an hour, I will still drive home. That isn't the absolute best time to need to swerve to avoid a potential car accident, but I have also stayed awake for 16 hours (sober) and driven home too. I will still carry a pocket knife when having a drink as well.

(for purposes of my post, alcohol is considered a drug)

If not consuming a drug could make me well rested at all times, and at any time, I would do so.

If not consuming a drug could make me well fed at all times, and at any time, I would do so.

If not consuming a drug could keep me from ever getting a cold or having allergies, I would do so.

Since not consuming a drug keeps me from ever being under the influence of that drug, I choose not to consume said drug while armed in public.

I don't see how there is any relevance to hunger or allergies. Perhaps, if you believe this so strongly, you should petition to make driving while hungry, or when you have a cold, illegal. I think that would be a pretty important thing, if being hungry is such a limiting factor in our abilities.

 

[RBid]

Shooter,

Sure. I've met some people who had 1 drink and went home. I've also met people who had "just 1" more, "just 1" more after that, and so on. My take away is that the best way to avoid trouble is to make sure that you don't have "just 1" in the first place.

When I carry a firearm, it's not just the consequences to me that matter. I am responsible for making decisions that effect the well being of others. Having a drink isn't important enough to me to justify "just 1".

Ultimately, I recognize that you are an adult, and that you don't have to take any advice from me.

 

[Warp]

In the past I have had one drink. I won't tell anybody else not to do it. One drink, with dinner at a restaurant, while carrying, and while driving home (or wherever) after...that seems totally reasonable to me.

It just isn't for me, currently, and hasn't been for awhile. Risk/Reward just isn't there, IMO.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[shooter60]

This might have already been brought up I did not go through all post, I heard that if students on a school function stop at a restaurant that the restaurant or the place the students go in is considered a part of the school and you cannot carry a gun in that building just trying to see if anybody else has heard about this

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

(for purposes of my post, alcohol is considered a drug)

If not consuming a drug could make me well rested at all times, and at any time, I would do so.

If not consuming a drug could make me well fed at all times, and at any time, I would do so.

If not consuming a drug could keep me from ever getting a cold or having allergies, I would do so.

Since not consuming a drug keeps me from ever being under the influence of that drug, I choose not to consume said drug while armed in public.

I don't see how there is any relevance to hunger or allergies. Perhaps, if you believe this so strongly, you should petition to make driving while hungry, or when you have a cold, illegal. I think that would be a pretty important thing, if being hungry is such a limiting factor in our abilities.

I definitely agree, that alcohol is a drug. I would certainly never argue that you should take upon yourself my method of "operating" I believe that hunger can make you feel weak and can cause slight judgment and mood changes; I believe having allergies can hamper your senses as well (hearing and balance, for example), similar to what a low level of alcohol can do (1 beer with dinner, for example).

Maybe we are splitting hairs here... I am mainly saying that I am probably more impaired after having been up for 16 hours and sober (and some of the other conditions I have listed), than if I am well rested and have had 1 beer with a good meal I don't put my gun away in public just because I have been up for a good, long 16 hour day either. I am not advising that you do any of this, just rationalizing my point. I don't think it is an extreme stance to take.

 

[oneounceload]

Current news article says that texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving - so should those who carry and not drink, also not carry a phone?

It is called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, and that means different things to different folks and some folks have differing views in drinking, carrying, driving, etc. You determine what is best for you and go from there without worrying, or impinging, on others' behaviors

 

[Hit_Factor]

This might have already been brought up I did not go through all post, I heard that if students on a school function stop at a restaurant that the restaurant or the place the students go in is considered a part of the school and you cannot carry a gun in that building just trying to see if anybody else has heard about this

Never heard this before and I don't see how the restaurant could become a school simply by the group of people dining at the time.

I wouldn't change my behavior one bit for this scenario.

A lot of things would have to go horribly wrong in that restaurant before anyone would know I was armed.

 

[Warp]

Current news article says that texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving - so should those who carry and not drink, also not carry a phone?

I hope you are trolling and not being serious.

Surely you aren't saying that carrying a phone = texting while driving.

Because if that's what you are saying, people who carry shouldn't carry because murder is illegal.

 

[Blackbeard]

I never carry.

 

[KODB]

The only time I don't carry is when legally prohibited.

My workplace is firearms friendly and in fact the owner (that would be me) actually encourages all/any of the employees to be responsibly armed (proper arms, spare mags, appropriate holsters)!

Regards,
Bob

 

[rodensouth]

I'm carrying if I have my pants or shorts on. I only have a drink if at home, and don't disarm for that.

Do those of you expecting your invited guests to ask if they may carry also inform your guests before they arrive that you have weapons in your home? It is a two way street in my opinion. I rarely visit anyone that
wouldn't know I'm carrying, but if I did I wouldn't know them or their friends or habits well enough to trust them to protect my wife. If you are so concerned ask me. You should be assuming everyone is armed anyway, or you aren't really thinking it through in my opinion. Do you feel they should inform of any edged weapons they may have on their person, because if not you don't understand the danger they pose in close confines.

I DO actually respect the homeowner, I just thought they must respect me to some degree if I'm invited into their home.

 

[gamestalker]

In the last 40 some years it has been a normal daily routine for me to reach under my pillow and remove my self defense weapon, followed by placing it in the holster on my person. So it is safe to say, I carry 100% of the time, unless legally restricted. I wear it into my bank, every where I shop, and I avoid doing business with those who don't permit me to carry. And here in my city /state almost all business and general establishments are gun friendly, including a number of bars and clubs, providing you aren't consuming alcohol. But I don't shop in the big malls, cause they don't allow me to wear. So other than than restricted situations, I will always find a way to have my weapon with, or, on me. Further more, I would not reside in a state that deprives me of my freedoms, or requires me to have a carry permit for either CC, or OC.

GS

 

[Elbert P . Suggins]

I am 65 years old and have never carried when I am in the saddle. For the young kids that means, well you know!!

 

[lilguy]

When I'm in my home state.

 

[MShort]

I don't carry when I am going to an alcoholic beverage dealer ( fancy way of saying bar eh?). Also I don't carry around the normal restricted places....as far as carrying while around the home, I don't unless I am doing yard work outside. If I am inside why bother? I have easy access to it should the need rise I believe.

I don't carry at work, it is prohibited by our institution sop.

Other than that I carry almost anywhere,

Still embarrassed at my last failed attempt to keep all my ammo in one place though (posted another thread about it) Although at one point I kind of thought that I don't want to carry again lest that would happen again. but I quickly see that I may have overreacted about it and now let it fall off my shoulders. It won't happen again though I am sure of that

As far as someone saying they don't carry into places restricted if they see a sign, afaik that is the law here (MO). If it is posted no weapons on a 8x11 sign then you cant carry. I adhere to that as well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'm not allowed at work. I also don't carry where prohibited by law.

I carry pretty much everywhere else.

 

[rugerman]

In the shower.

 

[garyr]

When I drive to Massachusetts. Even though I have a clean record, good job, valid permit in my home state (NH), took their mandatory safety class, paid a non-refundable $100 fee and waited 6 months, I wasn't deemed worthy of an unrestricted license. I received one restricted to "sporting purposes only". Other than that, I carry.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

When I drive to Massachusetts. Even though I have a clean record, good job, valid permit in my home state (NH), took their mandatory safety class, paid a non-refundable $100 fee and waited 6 months, I wasn't deemed worthy of an unrestricted license. I received one restricted to "sporting purposes only". Other than that, I carry.

Gary, I feel your frustration. I grew up in NH and lived for some time in Mass. I always felt that I needed to watch my back, just as soon as I crossed the border into Mass.