I know some people who carry illegally. They carry in bars. They have a beer or two and carry. And I don’t approve. “I’d rather play it safe in case I need it,” is their rationale. Well, if they’d rather play it safe, then they should frequent establishments where they can safely and legally carry. To do otherwise is not worth the risk; It’s irresponsible, and here’s why.
Alcohol impairs judgment. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect our decision making, which, in turn, can be a deciding factor in whether or not we contribute to the escalation of an argument; whether we have another beer; whether we discuss if we’re carrying at the time; whether we drive while intoxicated. It can be a vicious cycle, and we don’t want a firearm in the mix. The brain’s frontal lobes are affected by alcohol and that part of the brain helps distinguish between good and bad actions, and their consequences. It’s easy to say, “That would never happen to me.” But it does happen. The good news? There’s a surefire solution: Don’t drink and carry.
Jovially referred to as beer goggles, alcohol causes distorted or blurry vision. Drinking alcohol slows the communication between the brain’s neurotransmitters. This means information cannot flow as easily between the brain and the body as when you are sober. Alcohol also decreases the effectiveness of the pupils, so that they do not dilate or constrict normally according to the level of light exposure. This affects your ability to differentiate colors and shapes. These changes in vision can occur between one and three drinks. Given this information, you can imagine how impaired vision could create a perilous situation indeed.
Alcohol slows the central nervous system, resulting in delayed reaction time. This can manifest in several ways. It can result in a delay of coming to conclusions, such as deciding to exit an escalating situation. It can result in delayed cognizance, such as forgetting where your gun is stowed or improperly securing it. If you should need your handgun in self-defense, a deferred reaction time could be deadly. If you ever have to defend yourself using a gun, you may also have to defend yourself in court. You may be 100% in the right, but your consumption of any amount of alcohol could plant the tiniest seed of doubt in the minds of jurors. And juries don’t look favorably upon defendants who have been drinking. Why take that risk?
Laws regarding alcohol and firearms vary from state to state and are too many to enumerate here. It is your duty to know them. Certainly there are laws that prohibit carrying weapons in places where alcohol is served, whether you imbibe or not.
You may think yourself immune to the above situations if you drink and carry. You’re not. The moment we abuse our Second Amendment right or take it for granted, we put ourselves and others in danger. Is it a risk you’re willing to take? Please leave your comments and experiences in the section below.
