It appears that as our movement gains momentum and support there are more serious inquiries into what behavior is acceptable while bearing arms. I'd like to start a little debate as to whether drinking and guns mix or not. I'll start by voicing my own opinion and experiences.
Personally, I have never had any trouble with my own behavior and the behavior of some close friends when it comes to guns and alcohol. I have, however, had some poor experiences as well. My little brother, when asked to drop his noise level, threatened me, in a seemingly joking manner, by pulling his pistol from his drawer and loading a round into the chamber. I put a quick stop to this by making him believe how serious I was about sending him to jail if he ever did anything like that again. That was the last time anything of that sort happened between the two of us.
My older brother is far more disciplined when it comes to firearms. I've seen him drink before but he always makes sure to limit his drinking while carrying. Of course he carries all the time so I never see him drink to excess.
I, on the other hand, drink for fun on a fairly regular basis. I also carry at all times. The worst type of situation I've been in is when a friend asks me to see my pistol while we're drinking. My response to this is always no. I'm a firm believer that firearms will not harm anyone when left alone. When I'm sober I have no problem safely unloading a weapon so it can be handled without risk of discharge but I will not allow it to leave my holster in public or while intoxicated.
I know the laws surrounding this behavior and that is why I can say, with confidence, that open carry and drinking is not illegal. I'm just not sure what is and should be acceptable behavior in public. I've open carried to bars, drank at home while carrying, gone to parties carrying, and the like. I'm just not sure why it is of great concern when people drink and carry.
Personally, I have never had any trouble with my own behavior and the behavior of some close friends when it comes to guns and alcohol. I have, however, had some poor experiences as well. My little brother, when asked to drop his noise level, threatened me, in a seemingly joking manner, by pulling his pistol from his drawer and loading a round into the chamber. I put a quick stop to this by making him believe how serious I was about sending him to jail if he ever did anything like that again. That was the last time anything of that sort happened between the two of us.
My older brother is far more disciplined when it comes to firearms. I've seen him drink before but he always makes sure to limit his drinking while carrying. Of course he carries all the time so I never see him drink to excess.
I, on the other hand, drink for fun on a fairly regular basis. I also carry at all times. The worst type of situation I've been in is when a friend asks me to see my pistol while we're drinking. My response to this is always no. I'm a firm believer that firearms will not harm anyone when left alone. When I'm sober I have no problem safely unloading a weapon so it can be handled without risk of discharge but I will not allow it to leave my holster in public or while intoxicated.
I know the laws surrounding this behavior and that is why I can say, with confidence, that open carry and drinking is not illegal. I'm just not sure what is and should be acceptable behavior in public. I've open carried to bars, drank at home while carrying, gone to parties carrying, and the like. I'm just not sure why it is of great concern when people drink and carry.