Anyone quit drinking since getting CHL?

[jeeperbryan]

Anyone else cut back on drinking since getting their CHL? I'm not sure if it's due to the CHL, maturing, or getting married but I've noticed that I do alot less drinking. It used to be an every weekend ordeal and it was hard to go to sporting events, festivals, parties, etc without having a few (responsibly of course). Now it seems I am going to all these events and leaving completely sober. Obviously, we can't drink and carry. But even when I'm not carrying, like at professional sporting events, I find myself avoiding alcohol.

As an example, I went to Oktoberfest last night in Addison. It's been awhile since I've been there and had forgotten how many drunkards there are. I was carrying so didn't drink. But standing in line waiting for food with a bunch of loud, violent drunks I realized how glad I was to be sober last night. It really made me think about all the years of partying and drinking and how many bad situations I could have gotten into. Maybe it's just me maturing. I don't know. I finally see why people say alcohol makes you vulnerable.

[Hos]

Congrats man. heh

Seriously though, I agree with you. With great freedoms comes great responsibility. I don't want to add fire to any bogus statistic about chl carriers as being reckless, not to mention the criminal penalty. I have a similar situation although added to what you said are my kids are getting older, I don't do "the next day" after drinking very well any more (ugh), and I started to have a problem with it, so yeah, Life is good now. God Bless.

[couzin]

Probably not a good place (public forum) to talk about your drinking habits - could be used against ya in a court setting...

[Nachos Libres]

I've never been a real drinker, probably because I don't care to waste money on it. The only time I usually drink is socially at a person's house, which usually happens every 6 months or so. I don't like beer either (which is what most people who drink drink, at least in my experience) so the times I get to enjoy some whiskey or tequila are few and far between.

Can someone educate me what the law is about drinking while concealing? I don't do it but I don't remember going over that in class (maybe we did and I forgot). I'd hate to be in a situation where I take a sip of an alcoholic drink while concealing and end up committing a crime.

[my s is slow]

i went to oktober fest friday night and allso carried,having glass of beer crossed my mind but decided not to. I didnt want alcohol in my system if something bad was to happen.

[nitrogen]

Drinking in public, yes. I never did it much, maybe once every 2-3 months. Now it's maybe twice a year, if that.
On those rare occasions, its only one drink, with dinner, and we almost always linger for an hour or so after we finish.

I tend to drink at home a bit more though. Problem is, I tend to make up for the times I don't drink when I go out, so that will probably be cut down and back too.

[nitrogen]

I've never been a real drinker, probably because I don't care to waste money on it. The only time I usually drink is socially at a person's house, which usually happens every 6 months or so. I don't like beer either (which is what most people who drink drink, at least in my experience) so the times I get to enjoy some whiskey or tequila are few and far between.

Can someone educate me what the law is about drinking while concealing? I don't do it but I don't remember going over that in class (maybe we did and I forgot). I'd hate to be in a situation where I take a sip of an alcoholic drink while concealing and end up committing a crime.

Law basically says you cannot carry while intoxicated.
In reality, in Texas, Intoxicated is whatever an officer says it is, so most people feel it's best to not drink and carry. That's where the (wrong) assumption from some comes from that "you cannot have a drop of alcohol if you're carrying."

[Ace_Inthe_O]

yeah I agree I would rather carry than drink.

[jeeperbryan]

Probably not a good place (public forum) to talk about your drinking habits - could be used against ya in a court setting...

huh? how could my post be used in court? for what? i didn't say i was an alcoholic or have ever made bad decisions under the influence. so i'm not sure what "drinking habits" you're referring to

[jeeperbryan]

I've never been a real drinker, probably because I don't care to waste money on it. The only time I usually drink is socially at a person's house, which usually happens every 6 months or so. I don't like beer either (which is what most people who drink drink, at least in my experience) so the times I get to enjoy some whiskey or tequila are few and far between.

Can someone educate me what the law is about drinking while concealing? I don't do it but I don't remember going over that in class (maybe we did and I forgot). I'd hate to be in a situation where I take a sip of an alcoholic drink while concealing and end up committing a crime.

Law basically says you cannot carry while intoxicated.
In reality, in Texas, Intoxicated is whatever an officer says it is, so most people feel it's best to not drink and carry. That's where the (wrong) assumption from some comes from that "you cannot have a drop of alcohol if you're carrying."

Wait, my CHL instructor mentioned this 2 or 3 times. That while carrying you couldn't have any alcohol in your system. I think he said there was a zero tolerance policy when carrying. I don't like the idea of mixing drinking of carrying so I completely support a zero tolerance. But just curious because my instructor was adament about the no alcohol thing.

[anygunanywhere]

Oh no. Not again. Another drinking while carrying thread.

Nitrogen is correct.

Anygunanywhere

[nitrogen]

I've never been a real drinker, probably because I don't care to waste money on it. The only time I usually drink is socially at a person's house, which usually happens every 6 months or so. I don't like beer either (which is what most people who drink drink, at least in my experience) so the times I get to enjoy some whiskey or tequila are few and far between.

Can someone educate me what the law is about drinking while concealing? I don't do it but I don't remember going over that in class (maybe we did and I forgot). I'd hate to be in a situation where I take a sip of an alcoholic drink while concealing and end up committing a crime.

Law basically says you cannot carry while intoxicated.
In reality, in Texas, Intoxicated is whatever an officer says it is, so most people feel it's best to not drink and carry. That's where the (wrong) assumption from some comes from that "you cannot have a drop of alcohol if you're carrying."

Wait, my CHL instructor mentioned this 2 or 3 times. That while carrying you couldn't have any alcohol in your system. I think he said there was a zero tolerance policy when carrying. I don't like the idea of mixing drinking of carrying so I completely support a zero tolerance. But just curious because my instructor was adament about the no alcohol thing.

He was wrong. See above.

The law, specifically:

PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE
HOLDER.

(d) A license holder commits an offense if, while intoxicated, the
license holder carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H,
Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is
concealed.

GC §411.171. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(6) "Intoxicated" has the meaning assigned by Section 49.01,
Penal Code

§ 49.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(2) "Intoxicated" means:
(A) not having the normal use of mental or
physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a
controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of
two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the
body; or
(B) having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or
more.

[gmckinl]

JNTSA





Jeeze Not This Stuff Again. Search back one/two pages. This horse has been beat to death.

[gmckinl]

Obviously, we can't drink and carry.

Wrong! I want to make this point IMHO crystal clear; that's between you and the specific LEO you may interact with. Your stated position IMHO (and many others) is hooey. Opinions here range from "don't sniff a cork" to "pound down a couple and be cool".

Do what you think it right. So will each of us. I know what I think the limit is for me, and I will not report it here. Read the law yourself, interpret it yourself, realize that your instructor may have read it differently. Do what you feel comfortable with - none or not none... it's up to you because it's REALLY not, rather it's up to the LEO you deal with.

Your mileage may vary. Not responsible, park and lock it. IANAL.

Have a good day. Party on. Etc...

[Lumberjack98]

I still drink, but never when carrying.

I find it interesting that folks seem to correlate getting a CHL with being more responsible and cutting out drinking.

My level of responsibility did not change with having a CHL, just the choices I made in certain situations. For instance, carrying at dinner = no alcohol during dinner. No carry at dinner = alcohol at dinner (not always).