If you’ve been shooting guns for any amount of time, you’re already familiar with the four rules of gun safety. Most people agree that those rules are incredibly important to prevent accidents and unnecessary injuries or damage from your gun.
There are a few things, though, that those four rules don’t address that would be wise to keep in mind for using a gun that have to do with being aware of yourself and your internal perceptions.
What do I mean? I mean “extra” gun safety rules five and fifteen from a list given by GunPros.com.
“Extra” rule five is “Don’t handle firearms when depressed or angry.” This one goes back to the HALT rule. HALT as in Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. You don’t want to make decisions of any consequence (such as using a firearm) when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired because those conditions tend to cloud judgment and not in a positive way (Hangry is a term in our modern world for a reason).
“Extra” rule fifteen on that list is “Don’t handle firearms under the influence.” For reasons similar to number five, you would be smart to avoid using a firearm while intoxicated. Why? Because intoxicated people have a tendency to act impulsively, to not think through the consequences of their decisions, and to simply make bad choices that they regret later. Just think how many teen pregnancies and car accidents are due to alcohol use.
With all of that in mind, I’m still an absolutist on the Second Amendment, meaning that I think that the government shouldn’t place restrictions on gun rights even if those restrictions might prevent adults from making terrible decisions that are regretted later.
Which is why I support a bill that one state’s legislature just passed (it’s on the way to their governor’s desk) even though I think people would be wise to consider not taking full advantage of it (hat tip to here for the lead). Luke McCoy writes,
The South Dakota Legislature has passed House Bill 1218, a measure that would allow individuals to carry concealed pistols in establishments where more than half of the income is derived from the sale of alcoholic beverages. This bill seeks to repeal the existing prohibition on concealed firearms in such venues, a restriction that has been in place since 2019.
The bill’s progression saw significant amendments, notably by Republican Senator Mykala Voita, who introduced the provision permitting concealed carry in bars. The Senate approved this amendment with a 30-4 vote, sending the bill back to the House. After some deliberation, including the formation of a conference committee to reconcile differences, the House concurred with the Senate’s version, passing it with a 56-14 vote.
Let me reiterate, I think that this law is the right thing to do in light of the Second Amendment.
Having said that, I also think that if you’re going to get even a little tipsy (much less blackout drunk), you should have a friend both be the driver and the person who is carrying a firearm instead of you.
Freedom does come with the responsibility to not act foolishly.
What do you think about this proposed law in South Dakota? Tell us below.
If a person has the where with all to get a permit they should be smart enough th handle themselves in a bar. If they can’t they shouldn’t carry! I live in Calif. Which is run by idiots and outright liars. Pity me!!!
I don’t see a problem with it.. If a person, such as myself, was raised around firearms, has taken and passed a firearms safety training course, and has been through the Concealed Carry training course.. Personally I don’t care about the Concealed Carry training as long as a person has passed a Firearms Safety Training course.. I have been through all 3. Owned my first when I was 12 years old and had passed the Firearms Safety Training course at 12.. I have been in bars and had a few beers while carrying. Never had a problem and no one knew that I had it.. My point is that if a person was raised around firearms they are probably not going to be a problem. And if you add in the Firearms Safety Training, and then add the Concealed Carry Training, then you have a person that’s not an idiot and not looking for ANY kind of trouble… Here where I live MOST bars don’t allow Concealed Carry. As the bar that I use to go to didn’t allow it.. The problem is, that when you carry it all day from day to day, a person will actually forget the they are carrying due to now it’s just like wearing your shoe’s. You just don’t think about it.
I am supportive of the change in the law. I am a firearms instructor for permit to carry in Minnesota — South Dakota’s neighbor next door. In our state it is an infraction to carry if your blood alcohol measures .04 or greater. I do classes at our American Legion post where I also have a drink now and then — never both at the same time. I tell my students if you see me drinking a soda, I am probably carrying and if you see me drinking a bourbon I am definitely not. Maybe I carry it to an extreme, but recently my son who also has a permit bought a new handgun and wanted to show it to me. He mentioned that as we started to have a drink together AT HOME. I said not until tomorrow because we’re drinking. On the other hand, if you are going to a part of town where you are a little nervous and for sure want to carry, just Don drink. If you can’t abstain, get help.
I am supportive of the change in the law. I am a firearms instructor for permit to carry in Minnesota — South Dakota’s neighbor next door. In our state it is an infraction to carry if your blood alcohol measures .04 or greater. I do classes at our American Legion post where I also have a drink now and then — never both at the same time. I tell my students if you see me drinking a soda, I am probably carrying and if you see me drinking a bourbon I am definitely not. Maybe I carry it to an extreme, but recently my son who also has a permit bought a new handgun and wanted to show it to me. He mentioned that as we started to have a drink together AT HOME. I said not until tomorrow because we’re drinking. On the other hand, if you are going to a part of town where you are a little nervous and for sure want to carry, just don’t drink. If you can’t abstain, get help.
MI has a restriction against carrying a concealed weapon in a bar or restaurant that gets more than half of it revenue from alcohol sales. Now how in the hell is anyone supposed to know that they get more than half of their revenue from alcohol? Stupid law. Passed by stupid people. Concealed carry permit holders are some of the most responsible people around. Good for SD. I hope my state might follow their lead some day
Ohio, where I live no longer prohibits concealed carry in establishments that sell alcohol, so long as the establishment does not prohibit possessing firearms. It is unlawful to possess firearms while consuming alcohol regardless of where the carrier is, even at home. Research indicates gun free zones have a greater probability of hosting violent events than areas where firearms are not prohibited. Therefore, I favor allowing lawful gun owners to carry where alcohol is served provided they are not impaired.
I do not think a person carrying a gun (any gun) should be under the influence (the legal influence of .08%). I have known people who were shot by a drunk with a gun (in this case a long gun). I have had friends and or workers pull a gun on me, while under the influence. No booze with gun, period!