Ok I caught up on this one @G.Washington. First let me welcome all the new brothers to the family.
I carry from the time I wake up til the time I lay back down to sleep, so I do not drink any alcohol nor beer unless it is a night cap.
I did enough drinking and carrying while in the service mainly because my squad leader in Korea didn’t trust anyone on recons that did not drink or smoke. But since them days are over and I am blessed to be of age now, I just value life more than a drink. So I am like others on here, just don’t do it.
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It’s all good brother life happens glad you out there living it @Lu-Can!
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Yep >> that’s partly how I got the nick name ( partly ) BLACK VELVET.
BLACKY ON THE ROCKS <<
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You have to make the choice of carrying concealed or drinking, but you cant do both cause your asking for trouble .I have argued with friends who do this and they always come up with the same stupid answer ," ide rather be judged by twelve then carried by six" , then i tell them then prepare to be someones butt buddy and lose your rights to fire arms . This also makes the gun community look bad .
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Thanks for the question and all the answers… #3 son is planning on picking me up & taking me to Tennessee to meet up with #2 son who I haven’t seen in over two years. I normally don’t go anywhere without carrying and I don’t normally drink but from everything I’ve read here I see now I’ll have to make an exception. I know that some beers will be consumed & #3 is in what is now known as a health care profession, but in my day a “dime bag” wasn’t considered medicinal… he’s “legal” at least here in Michigan but I’ll be damned if I want to spend serious time bunking with buba…. nor do I want to lose my tag.
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Welcome to the family brother @DANIEL289 , glad you could join us.
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Common sense must be used here when dealing with alcohol and guns. As a former police officer I can tell you that one beer consumed while carrying a weapon is one to many. You get into a shooting situation, your mental and emotional faculties are going to be somewhat compromised depending on the amount of alcohol you have consumed and you need to remind yourself that your going to have to explain your actions in a court of law…why you made that decision. Carrying a concealed weapon or operating a motor vehicle go hand in hand when consuming alcohol as well…if you’re thinking it could be a problem, then don’t. Give up one or the other…the beer or the gun… don’t put yourself in that position or you may very well pay dearly…P.S the fact that you had to ask the question tells me you know the answer…now exercise what your know is right, because you do !!!
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Safe travels @Thomas109 and let me welcome you both down to my little part of the world. Been here in Tennessee now for about 7 years or so.
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First, I think it is a miracle that you obtained a carry permit in the People’s Republic of Maryland. Second, I suggest you pass on the beer and stick to water when you know you will be driving.
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@Jeff159 , unless you are a LEO. 
You need to inform some of my LEO buddies back in Chicago about drinking and carrying.
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I’m a retired LEO from Norfolk, Virginia…
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After my parents past away. My autistic daughter asked me to stop drinking. Which ever you choose. Make sure it’s for your family.
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P.S. your LEO buddies don’t need me to tell them about guns and booze…it goes with the job…LEO both retired and active know the horror stories associated with it…it’s one or the other, no gray areas… seriously !!!
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Welcome to the family brother @Timothy210 , glad you joined us.
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I understand the logic of your response. But the original posters question was about how to legally handle his situation by safely storing his gun while having a drink (apparently not legal in his State). I don’t carry and drink. It is against the law in most States. Even if it was not against the law I wouldn’t do it. If I’m going out to listen to some music and have a drink or two my gun stays home. But I live in a pretty safe place where that risk is unlikely to get me killed. In most States it is only against the law to carry while consuming and/or being under the influence. Why should people be forced to be defenseless longer than those legal (though constitutionally questionable) conditions if they choose not to be?
Two beers is a big drinking day for me. 0 to 1 is my typical day. So I am a lightweight but my reflexes and judgement are far more impaired while driving home after a long day of work than from having a drink with a meal.
I understand that all our actions will be judged. But why should, for example, a woman who goes out for a meal and a drink with some friends be forced to be at the mercy of predators on her trip to and from her outing if she is not going to be legally impaired? If people can’t exorcise their constitutional rights after 1 drink they sure shouldn’t be allowed to drive after one. Guess we should reinstate prohibition to make sure no one is harmed from people drinking alcohol? Worked great the first time we tried it! This seems like more anti gun bias and another excuse to deny folks their rights to self defense simply because they might get drunk and make a bad choice. Seems like the same logic to me as all the anti gunners who say none of us should be allowed to carry because we might get angry and shoot someone. There are laws against shooting people and against a being drunk in public. Unfortunately like most laws they don’t stop the bad people from doing bad things.
Unlike some here, I am not against some limits to our 2A rights. No privately owned Nukes works for me. Not carrying when legally impaired would also be an infringement I might consider accepting. But having to disarm before, during and after (how long after?) a drink is one of the more slippery slopes I can think of. It opens the door for banning carry to anyone who might be judged by others to be “impaired” from whatever actions or thoughts they might have.
Yes alcohol and guns are not a good mix. I hate drunks and I hate yahoo’s with guns. There is nothing worse than drunk yahoo’s with guns except drunk yahoos in cars. People should not operate vehicles or firearms while impaired. But this has to be one of the most anti gun rights conversations I have ever taken part in. You all are giving great ammunition to those who wish to infringe upon our rights using whatever reasons they can come up with. Where is @Dave17 in this discussion? I find it hard to believe I am the only one here who sees the dangerous implications of some of these laws and how they are being enforced.
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I believe the only way to get “caught” is for you to have used your firearm (creating an incident), and an officer has a need to test you. Otherwise, a law enforcement officer must have PC (Probable Cause) to stop you and investigate further. You already may be fully knowledgable of Maryland Laws and it sounds to me like their Carry is highly restrictive. Learn the Maryland Officers Code of Criminal Procedure regarding arrest, so you are knowledgable about what they CAN and CANNOT legally do. Find a knowledgable officer and have this conversation.
I always carry. My first priority is to NEVER use my firearm unless I’m FORCED to protect lives. Without hesitation, I will always choose to be judged in court, than be buried or have to live with the regret I could have saved lives. IF I were to have a drink, I know I will not be intoxicated enough, that when the time comes for the breathalyzer or blood draw, I’d come out clean or near clear. I’d say, the officer would have to be a complete D to make a sole case out of targeting you “having had a drink” and having a firearm accessible.
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One thing I notice about this topic is that it is usually raised in the context of carrying while out of one’s home, and consuming alcohol in a restaurant or other establishment. I realize there are laws specifically dealing with such activity, but otherwise is there really any difference between that and drinking in one’s own home, with firearms in the home? I realize that quite a few of you responded saying that you don’t drink at all - I certainly respect that and I guess this response doesn’t apply to those of you who take that approach.
But it seems to me that for those who do drink, at-home situations should be considered as well. Since there really aren’t any laws regulating whether or how much one can consume at home with firearms there, it almost seems to me that the arguments should be completely polarized - i.e., either one should give up drinking entirely if you keep or carry firearms, OR, if you aren’t opposed to a limited amount of consumption at home (along the lines of the original post’s suggestoin), why should that be different while out at a restaurant while carrying? I can’t imagine anyone who has a firearm in their home allowing their family to be murdered by a home invader just because they had a couple of drinks a few hours earlier in the evening and may still have a BAC slightly above zero.
As I mentioned before, I think you expose yourself to a highly unfavorable portrayal if you have consumed even the slightest alcohol and are later involved in a self-defense incident, even if entirely justifiable. We clearly don’t live in a society where facts matter as much as the way they can be manipulated by the media, attorneys, etc. I would still give the advice of abstinence being the best option if ever asked for my advice. However, I think people make up their own minds and I wouldn’t condemn anyone’s choice to consume a very limited amount of alcohol while carrying. There are certainly potential consequences you have to be ready for though.
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Yes thanks for pointing out the issue. 100% SHAMROCK!
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Growing up we intuitively used the rule that no-one drank any alcohol until after the hunt was over and all firearms empty and stowed inside each person’s vehicle.
When my Father-in-law was on his death bed last year, several family members were surprised I quit carrying during that time period. I just felt like my head was not together enough to take on that responsibility.
Each person makes their own decisions and have to live with whatever consequences those decisions lead to.
With that said, in the state of Florida, it is legal to have a drink and carry. Furthermore, a person is protected from having a drink held against them in a self-defense case. I am not telling you my position on any of this because it is nobodies business, just presenting some facts.
" 2020 Florida Statutes
Title XLVICRIMES
Chapter 790WEAPONS AND FIREARMS
SECTION 151Using firearm while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances; penalties.
790.151 Using firearm while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances; penalties.—
(1) As used in ss. 790.151-790.157, to “use a firearm” means to discharge a firearm or to have a firearm readily accessible for immediate discharge.
(2) For the purposes of this section, “readily accessible for immediate discharge” means loaded and in a person’s hand.
(3) It is unlawful and punishable as provided in subsection (4) for any person who is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired, to use a firearm in this state.
(4) Any person who violates subsection (3) commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(5) This section does not apply to persons exercising lawful self-defense or defense of one’s property.
History.—s. 1, ch. 91-84; s. 1210, ch. 97-102."
The fine is $500 if you follow the links.
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Hi, and welcome.
Another possibility is that you’re out somewhere having just one drink, and some anti-gun lunatic notices your firearm slightly exposed and loses their mind and calls the police. In many states, ANY consumption is prohibited while carrying. It could be beyond the police officer’s discretion whether or not to make a case out of it.
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