Common Sense rules in Carrying

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Ok, I'm looking for input from people here. I will not change my mind about howI am handling things but am wondering how many people would agree with me.

I am currently taking narcotic pain medication and muscle relaxers, and the doctor has told me that I should not be driving while taking them.

So I decide that if I should not be driving then I should not be carrying my sidearm either, and have put it back in its case.

This makes perfect sense to me, but a few people think that I should be carrying anyway, and a couple of them even stated that if it were them that they would be driving anyway.

So I am looking to solicit other opinions on this matter, just because I am curious as to how many people agree with me, and how many don't. I thought about making this a poll, but wasn't sure how to word it.:?


Edited to fix a few typos

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Those drugs should NOT alter your mind....alcohol will.

IF....it doesn't affect your motor skills (driving...nono...against the law), then you must judge it solely.

I would carry as I know how a pain pill or relaxer affects me.

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MatieA wrote:

Ok, I'm looking for input from people here. I will not change my mind about howI am handling things but am wondering how many people would agree with me.

I am currently taking narcotic pain medication and muscle relaxers, and the doctor has told me that I should not be driving while taking them.

So I decide that if I should not be driving then I should not be carrying my sidearm either, and have put it back in its case.

This makes perfect sense to me, but a few people think that I should be carrying anyway, and a couple of them even stated that if it were them that they would be driving anyway.

So I am looking to solicit other opinions on this matter, just because I am curious as to how many people agree with me, and how many don't. I thought about making this a poll, but wasn't sure how to word it.:?


Edited to fix a few typos

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I never mock prudent thinking. Only YOU know how particular medications affect you.

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I'd carry.

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Drugs raise the question of making rational judgements with completely functioning discernment abilities . Hallucinating and impared reactions can manifest with narcotics .

Do not carry .

No ...... peroid .

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Anything that would affect motor skills and mental judgement (to me) would impare carryingand/oruse of a firearm. I'd put it away 'til you're 'fixed'.

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Dubble post

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If you can get used to the effects of the drugs you will most likely feel comfortable carrying again while using them. If you are taking these for pain, then your ability to defend yourself with your hands or even running away from an attack is probably seriously effected.

You could always try and not take so much, just enough to take the edge off the pain. If it was me I would probably carry depending on where I was going, and who was with me. If you can't drive while using these drugs , who ever is driving for you could carry if they are willing and able, that is better than nothing.

If YOU don't feel comfortable with the gun, then you have to make that decision.

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Pagan wrote:

If you can get used to the effects of the drugs you will most likely feel comfortable carrying again while using them. If you are taking these for pain, then your ability to defend yourself with your hands or even running away from an attack is probably seriously effected.

You could always try and not take so much, just enough to take the edge off the pain. If it was me I would probably carry depending on where I was going, and who was with me. If you can't drive while using these drugs , who ever is driving for you could carry if they are willing and able, that is better than nothing.

If YOU don't feel comfortable with the gun, then you have to make that decision.

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I'm home again, and just read all these posts; thanks for all the input.

Pagan,

Another part of my problem is that the reason I am taking these is for 2 herniated disks in my neck which is sending a shooting pain into my right arm. Guess which is my strong arm? Also 2 percocet barely takes the edge off so I couldn't take less; I wish I could though. I will carry again as soon as I get my neck fixed. I'm hoping the physical therapy will take care of it so I can cancel the surgery

Like I said thanks for all the input. I can't wait to feel that I am safe to carry again.

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MatieA wrote:

I'm home again, and just read all these posts; thanks for all the input.

Pagan,

Another part of my problem is that the reason I am taking these is for 2 herniated disks in my neck which is sending a shooting pain into my right arm. Guess which is my strong arm? Also 2 percocet barely takes the edge off so I couldn't take less; I wish I could though. I will carry again as soon as I get my neck fixed. I'm hoping the physical therapy will take care of it so I can cancel the surgery

Like I said thanks for all the input. I can't wait to feel that I am safe to carry again.

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I think you made the right choice. Hell, I unload and lock all my guns up when I take Nyquil or any sleeping meds. If you aren't fit to drive, you aren't fit to carry or shoot.

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MatieA wrote:

So I decide that if I should not be driving then I should not be carrying my sidearm either, and have put it back in its case.

This makes perfect sense to me..

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It makes sense to me too. The gun isn't some magic amulet without which you will perish or something.

Doesn't make any sense to carry a gun if your cognitive processes and judgment are impaired significantly.

Hope you get back to 100% quickly.

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HankT wrote:

The gun isn't some magic amulet without which you will perish or something.

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Don't lie to me! Are you trying to get me killed?

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AWDstylez wrote:

Don't lie to me! Are you trying to get me killed?

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Here, just wear this.



Keep it with you at all times.

Remember, NEVER let it go...

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After taking them for a bit, if you find that you're not significantly impared, go with a buddy to the local shooting range and get some practice, perhaps? If you find you're still able to shoot accurately and with reasonable speed, carrying could still be a good option...if not, then not. Your shooting buddy could be a good check too, as they can watch you and see if you seem impared where you might not notice.

I've known people on pretty intense pain killers/muscle relaxers before, and it seems that when the medication isn't excessive it merely deals with the pain without impairing them at all (despite that those meds would have put the average not-in-pain person into nap-time). Everybody is different though, and if you find that your meds are strong enough that you don't feel comfortable carrying, don't.

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MatieA wrote:

Another part of my problem is that the reason I am taking these is for 2 herniated disks in my neck which is sending a shooting pain into my right arm. Guess which is my strong arm? Also 2 percocet barely takes the edge off so I couldn't take less; I wish I could though. I will carry again as soon as I get my neck fixed. I'm hoping the physical therapy will take care of it so I can cancel the surgery

Like I said thanks for all the input. I can't wait to feel that I am safe to carry again.

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Only you can decide if you are well enough to carry, drive, etc. A percocet is enough to lay me out.

As far as the pain goes, I'd suggest talking to another doctor. If you are going through PT for herniated disks then you may be wasting your time. You may be better off wit ha pain specialist who may give you cortisone shots if you haven't considered that already. I went through that myself and it took the pain away quickly. I haven't had it in about 10 years since.

A GOOD chiropractor may be able to help you as well. But finding one that's not a quack, wanting to cure your barrel fouling problem by popping every joint in your body three times a week. I have a good one that knocks out my sciatica every time and I only have to go to him about three times a year. Good luck.

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Think beyond the tactical, too. Think through the ramifications.

You on medication is not going to stop a bad guy from appearing anywhere you might be.

You having to draw and use a firearm when you've taken such medication gives an opposing lawyer all kinds of options against you.

So, if SHTF and you have to draw, will you be as sharp as you'd otherwise be? Able to consider all the factors at play? As accurate?

An additional factor is whether you're alone or with someone else who's carrying.

Personally, I'd err on the side of caution and not carry, but then I'd most likely be with spousal unit, who would be carrying.

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The physical therapy is a traction unit that stretches the neck and relieves the pressure on the nerves that are being pinched. It does work but I don't know that it will work enough to let the disks slide back in where they belong, BUT I am hoping/praying that it will, as I don't relish the idea of someone cutting my throat open to fix me neck. The PT therapist is also I chiropracter so I get 2 in 1. And I asked about injections and I opted out after hearing the "what could go wrong" speech.

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Tess wrote:

Think beyond the tactical, too. Think through the ramifications.

You on medication is not going to stop a bad guy from appearing anywhere you might be.

You having to draw and use a firearm when you've taken such medication gives an opposing lawyer all kinds of options against you.

So, if SHTF and you have to draw, will you be as sharp as you'd otherwise be? Able to consider all the factors at play? As accurate?

An additional factor is whether you're alone or with someone else who's carrying.

Personally, I'd err on the side of caution and not carry, but then I'd most likely be with spousal unit, who would be carrying.

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I actually had considered this, and discussed it with the wife.

I do not feel that I'm 100% all the time while medicated.

My wife has no problem with open carry and supports me doing it, but she's not ready to do it yet, and I leave it at that. When she get s there she'll do it, she did get her CCP, just doesn't feel comfortable carrying all the time yet.

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MatieA wrote:

The PT therapist is also I chiropracter so I get 2 in 1. And I asked about injections and I opted out after hearing the "what could go wrong" speech.

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Traction did seem to help one of the guys at work who had a similar problem.

Who gave you the "what could go wrong" speech? If it was the therapist then I'd suggest an opinion from someone who is not in competition with alternate treatment or who would otherwise have a financial interest in you not going to someone else.

In my case, I had an injection but I got no relief out of it. The doctor had told me that it may take two or it may not work at all. The second one did the trick. I had absolutely no side effects or discomfort from it whatsoever. Even the injection itself was pretty painless. I'd go back and do it all over again if I had to.

Doctors of one specialty do not necessarily respect those of others, especially when it comes to crossing the boundaries of traditional medicine with those such as massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc. Try going to a hospital after a car accident for something like whiplash and see if they recommend something other than muscle relaxers and physical therapy. Been there, done that, wasted the money and time. Traditional medicine is fine and it works. Just consider all of your options, especially when it comes to pain.

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Just my two cents, but assuming as you said, your doctor instructed you not to drive a deadly weapon, you also should not be carrying a deadly weapon. I applaud you for your foresight. Remember, just as you are responsible for your actions in a vehicle under your control, you are also responsible for the weapon under your control. If your medication can inhibit your judgement,reflexes and through, it could also inhibit your ability to adequaltely maintain control of your weapon, and may even get you hurt in the process.