Touchy Subject
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Personally I avoid drinking anytime I am carrying. Fortunately that's not too hard for me since I almost never drink. 
Keep in mind the law in Utah regarding carrying while drinking is the same law regarding driving and drinking. You'd be ok so long as you can pass the standard BAC tests.
Personally I consider that TOO risky and any drinking I DO do I keep at home or some other private residence where I can sleep there if need be.
Keep in mind the law in Utah regarding carrying while drinking is the same law regarding driving and drinking. You'd be ok so long as you can pass the standard BAC tests.
Personally I consider that TOO risky and any drinking I DO do I keep at home or some other private residence where I can sleep there if need be.
Great topic!! Ya know, I consider myself pretty liberal about a lot of things. But not with this topic
If you're involved in a shooting, L.E. Will most likely do a blood draw on you. and yes, they'll get a warrant to do it. It's well known, and well documented, that your Judgment is affected even by small amounts of alcohol. It's bad enough the scrutiny you'll take if you shoot someone. But if you have Alcohol in your system, you've just opened a Huge can of worms that will probably affect the criminal investigation, and will definitely affect the civil trial.
JMO, but my suggestion is if you plan on drinking Anything, Dont carry.
I agree with this comment, but remember, this has to do with simply being in possession of one. Having to use it whern you have alcohol in your system is very different.
If you're involved in a shooting, L.E. Will most likely do a blood draw on you. and yes, they'll get a warrant to do it. It's well known, and well documented, that your Judgment is affected even by small amounts of alcohol. It's bad enough the scrutiny you'll take if you shoot someone. But if you have Alcohol in your system, you've just opened a Huge can of worms that will probably affect the criminal investigation, and will definitely affect the civil trial.
JMO, but my suggestion is if you plan on drinking Anything, Dont carry.
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As stated above it IS legal (as per driving laws), but also not a great idea. If you are planning on drinking I would leave the gun behind or locked up in the car. If you just head out to dinner or something and grab a drink I wouldn't worry too much, but realize that if you had to use it you will be looking at a bumpier road than you would otherwise.
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With me, If I am carrying a firearm, I want to be at my best. I dont want ANYTHING to have any "control" over my decision making and skill. I just wont drink if I'm carrying...so in other words... I very very seldom drink since I'm usually armed.
Sorry to hijack, but this thinking can get people in trouble. 3.2% by weight is the same as about 4% by Volume. 1-2 beers in Utah is almsot the same as 1-2 beers in any other state. Utah requires alcohol to be Labeled by weight not volume. There's very little alcohol difference.rhinokrk said:
You need to decide if a beer or two is worth it. Although it IS legal to drink or go into a bar while carrying, doing so comes with substantial risk.
The previous posts are exactly on point regarding the legal fallout that will follow if you use deadly force and you've got alcohol on board.
If you choose to carry while drinking adult beverages, you have to be aware of and prepared to handle the consequences of interaction with LE. If you are stopped for a traffic offense or involved in an accident and the cop smells alcohol on your breath, he/she is no longer looking for a reason to let you go. You will be run through the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to determine if you're impaired. I can tell you from experience that way TOO OFTEN, LE will "see" signs of impairment to justify the arrest. That means that even if you have a legal B.A.C. (less than 0.08%), they can and often do still arrest a person for DUI. If you're carrying your weapon, you've just added another criminal charge to the booking sheet. BCI will be notified of the charges and your CCP will most likely be suspended pending the outcome of the criminal matter.
The out of pocket costs will be substantial to prove you were acting within the law and that doesn't factor in the personal stresses you'll have to deal with.
So again, is one or two drinks while carrying worth it? My two cents worth is leave the weapon home or locked up. If you don't like my two cents, you can always pay me the big bucks to defend your rights...
The previous posts are exactly on point regarding the legal fallout that will follow if you use deadly force and you've got alcohol on board.
If you choose to carry while drinking adult beverages, you have to be aware of and prepared to handle the consequences of interaction with LE. If you are stopped for a traffic offense or involved in an accident and the cop smells alcohol on your breath, he/she is no longer looking for a reason to let you go. You will be run through the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to determine if you're impaired. I can tell you from experience that way TOO OFTEN, LE will "see" signs of impairment to justify the arrest. That means that even if you have a legal B.A.C. (less than 0.08%), they can and often do still arrest a person for DUI. If you're carrying your weapon, you've just added another criminal charge to the booking sheet. BCI will be notified of the charges and your CCP will most likely be suspended pending the outcome of the criminal matter.
The out of pocket costs will be substantial to prove you were acting within the law and that doesn't factor in the personal stresses you'll have to deal with.
So again, is one or two drinks while carrying worth it? My two cents worth is leave the weapon home or locked up. If you don't like my two cents, you can always pay me the big bucks to defend your rights...
I'm of the Dirty Harry mentality, "a man has to know his limitations." I'm of the opposite mentality and have a European mindset when it comes to alcohol in moderation. If you know that you can pass a field sobriety test then you should be fine carrying and having one or two with a meal. I also only consume alcohol away from home or where I'm staying for the night with a medium to large meal. Keep in mind that I am in southern Nevada where alcohol is easier to get than water. The people who are absolute prohibitionists with respect to alcohol and firearms also don't get that you're more likely to get involved in a motor vehicle accident than getting involved in a self defense act. If you're arrested or cited for DUI in that instance, you'll lose your CCWs anyway.
In Utah, there's the opposite mentality with respect to alcohol, just about any alcohol related offense is a "stoning offense"; it can and often will get you in front of a judge. It doesn't matter if it's a self defense act or a traffic violation and the responding LEO suspects you've had too many or a simple open container law violation. You also can be in trouble for being under the influence of prescription or over the counter medication.
That said, I have been known when I am up in the Wasatch to have one or two with a meal at a microbrewery or pub while legally carrying. I know my limitations and I accept that risk for me. Since I have a CDL as well as a deck of CCWs, I only drive or carry if I know I'm safe to do so.
I'm not going to split apples and oranges on alcohol, but much of what you have up there that isn't purchased from a State liquor store, bar or pub is closer to Near Beer or what Monty Python would call "making love in a canoe." I have also have been told that many Utah establishments with liquor licenses will automatically cut you off after two or three. Servers in Utah also are encouraged by the State as a provision of their liquor server certification to cut people off.
In Utah, there's the opposite mentality with respect to alcohol, just about any alcohol related offense is a "stoning offense"; it can and often will get you in front of a judge. It doesn't matter if it's a self defense act or a traffic violation and the responding LEO suspects you've had too many or a simple open container law violation. You also can be in trouble for being under the influence of prescription or over the counter medication.
That said, I have been known when I am up in the Wasatch to have one or two with a meal at a microbrewery or pub while legally carrying. I know my limitations and I accept that risk for me. Since I have a CDL as well as a deck of CCWs, I only drive or carry if I know I'm safe to do so.
I'm not going to split apples and oranges on alcohol, but much of what you have up there that isn't purchased from a State liquor store, bar or pub is closer to Near Beer or what Monty Python would call "making love in a canoe." I have also have been told that many Utah establishments with liquor licenses will automatically cut you off after two or three. Servers in Utah also are encouraged by the State as a provision of their liquor server certification to cut people off.
as a kid i was taught about the acronyum S.T.O.P. which is
Stop
Think
Observe
Plan
I personally do not think that you could do those steps in a split second situation where a threat has presented it self with any alcohol in your system if you drink think and dont risk anyone elses life no matter how much you have had
Stop
Think
Observe
Plan
I personally do not think that you could do those steps in a split second situation where a threat has presented it self with any alcohol in your system if you drink think and dont risk anyone elses life no matter how much you have had
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