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frankie_the_yankee wrote:

Mithras61 wrote: 4) It really isn't necessary. The current laws are adequate so long as they are enforced with no prejudice (that is, no one, cop or otherwise gets a pass on carrying while intoxicated).

If you re-read this thread, you'll find that someone pointed out, correctly I believe, that there is no law against cops carrying while intoxicated at the present time.

I didn't say it was okay for them to carry while intoxicated. I said it was okay for them to have a drink while they carry. Having a drink and being intoxicated are not the same thing in over 99% of the populace.

frankie_the_yankee wrote:

Photoman wrote:Many interesting posts and, like most issues regarding the Texas CHL, clear as mud!

I don't drink and drive. I don't drink and carry.

1) Do you drink at all?

2) Do you think it's wrong to have a drink while carrying?

3) If "yes" to #2 above, do you think it's wrong when cops do it?

4) If "yes" to #2 and #3 above, do you have any plans to try to do anything about it? Have you ever written a letter to the editor about it? Have you ever called your state rep or senator and asked them to introduce or support a bill that would penalize cops for having a drink while carrying?

If not, why not?

5) If "yes" to #2 and "no" to #3, why would you think that cops are more responsible after having a drink, or 10 drinks for that matter, than CHL'ers? Could this be something that is covered at the academy?

6) Cops in general seem to be pretty responsible people who care about the community. They also seem concerned that people handle guns safely and responsibly at all times. So do you think they would support a total ban (i.e. one that included cops) on drinking while carrying?

Just wondering.

An interesting series of questions. I know you didn't ask them of me, but I thought I'd chime in again with some thoughtsd...

1) Yes, I do drink. Rarely heavily anymore (I did plenty of that foolishness when I was in the Army, and have a pretty significant tolerance to this day). I gave up getting drunk back before my kids were born. I'm reminded of a "Roseanne" episode, where she & her hubby found an old dime bag & had a puff. It left them so paranoid that they could hardly function. She kept asking what they would do if the kids needed help, and she & hubby were too impaired by the weed to do something about it. I always thought it was the best episode of that show.

2) I do not think it's wrong to have a drink while carrying, unless a drink will leave you so impaired you are unable to function "normally." Keep in mind that alcohol begins to have an effect on your reaction times & judgement at BACs that are barely detectable, and that different people have different levels of tolerance for dealing with said impairment. I am personally most comfortable with having no alcohol in my system when carrying, so I don't drink when I'm outside the home and carrying. I don't judge others who choose to drink unless it leaves them impaired & unable to function within the range we call normal (and by the time I reach that conclusion, they are pretty impaired). When I'm home, I will have a couple and never worry about it.

3) It isn't wrong when cops do it unless they are impaired (just like me).

4) It really isn't necessary. The current laws are adequate so long as they are enforced with no prejudice (that is, no one, cop or otherwise gets a pass on carrying while intoxicated).

5) Doesn't apply.

6) I'd be surprised if cops support a total ban on alcohol consumption while carrying. I don't believe we need a ban, though, so long as everyone acts like responsible people. It isn't about being a cop or not, it's about being responsible and using good judgement before the drinking starts and then sticking to thoe rules afterwards (if there is an afterwards (that is, you have one or more drinks).

Well, I'm not a big alcohol fan. I mean, I don't mind if others indulge, and I do occasionally have a few, but not usually. When I do have something alcoholic to drink, I usually make it a point to not be carrying and to have my spouse drive home. It isn't that I'm a cheap drunk or anything, but I'd rather not take an unneccesary risk.

I view mixing alcohol and carrying/driving as being on about the same risk level as (for example) a fat old white guy like me going down to the fourth ward and making racist cracks to the folks living there - not the dumbest thing ever, but far too close.