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Dadtodabone wrote:

Keith B wrote:

Shoot_First wrote:

Keith B wrote:

Dadtodabone wrote: Sorry, yes, of course it would "matter" during the investigation. My query shouldn't have been diluted by the BAC questions. So:
Is being intoxicated in ones home illegal or a bar to self-defense?
Is having imbibed a legal intoxicant a bar to self-defense?

No

Keith, please help me understand why if I were "drunk as a coot owl" in my home and shot an intruder my judgment would not be in question. Dave

It would be. See the post above a couple above. However, it does not take away your right to legally defend yourself.

And that was the purpose of my question. After reading the entire thread, I could see folks being in unreasonable fear of using deadly force, in a situation that demanded it, simply because they had a beer.
That you may be vilified in our community, that you may face trial, that an over zealous prosecutor may hold you up to scorn, none of these should be a determinant when faced with your(or others around you) imminent death or great bodily harm.

Dadtodabone... You have summed up nicely what I was getting at. I am not going to ignore a justified shoot to protect myself, my family, or others just because I have had a beer. That said, I try to avoid known places and situations where that might be necessary to include leaving my home after drinking more than two beers and even that is not the norm.

Keith B wrote:

Dadtodabone wrote: Sorry, yes, of course it would "matter" during the investigation. My query shouldn't have been diluted by the BAC questions. So:
Is being intoxicated in ones home illegal or a bar to self-defense?
Is having imbibed a legal intoxicant a bar to self-defense?

No

Keith, please help me understand why if I were "drunk as a coot owl" in my home and shot an intruder my judgment would not be in question. Dave

Seems the responses fall into two categories:

1. Zero tolerance: No alcohol at all when carrying with CHL, under MPA, or even at home since such any amount of blood alcohol is going to raise questions about your judgment being potentially impaired if you use a firearm to defend yourself or your family.

2. Some alcohol: One or more alcoholic beverages when carrying with CHL, under MPA, or at home but far less than that required to be at 0.08 BAC or to be found impaired by a LEO's FST if and after you use a firearm to defend yourself or your family. Given that some LEOs are exposed to more frequent contact with BGs but can complete a full career without discharging their firearms except on a range, the likelihood that a CHL holder, a person without a CHL but having a firearm in their vehicle under MPA, or a person with a firearm for home defense is going to have to use their firearm to defend themselves or their family is highly unlikely. Possible, but unlikely.

Having seen the previous posts on the subject along with the current ones, I can understand the rationale for abstinence while carrying as a CHL holder. That said, let me put forth two scenarios for your consideration: (1) If you left your pistol at home or locked in your car trunk while having dinner at a restaurant with your family, had a beer during the meal, and just before you paid your check a BG entered the place and opened fire killing a number of patrons including your wife and wounding one of your two kids would you regret your decision to go unarmed? (2 if you sit at home at night and have a beer or two while in the family room watching TV with your wife with a pistol within easy reach, would you reach for it if your home were invaded by a BG?

I have carefully considered these and other scenarios where I have had one or two beers over time and I'm far from being legally impaired either to drive or to respond to a threat to me or my family and my decision has been and will continue to be to remain armed. I am prepared to suffer the consequences of my decisions because I believe the prospect of such scenarios, while possible, is very remote. It's a personal decision that each of us will have to make.

Dave