Quote:
Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot
Poor comparison since drinking while driving is illegal (open container).
I do see your point. Just disagree.
What do you think of folks who CC (provided you know) and have a drink? Do you look at them the same way?
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I don't think it's a poor comparison unless you assume that breaking the law automatically means someone is doing something dangerous. Whether or not someone is breaking the law, in my mind doesn't mean they're doing something dangerous -- just illegal. I don't look askance at them because they're doing something illegal (I happen to think most of the drinking and driving laws in this country are nonsensical and ineffective at protecting against the risk they purport to minimize), I look at them askance because they're doing something that tends to give rise to the reasonable inference that they may be the sort of person who can't wait to get to the bar/restaurant/wherever before grabbing a drink. I know my position probably isn't the most logical (after all, what does it matter whether I pound a shot before I walk out the door or do one in the car) but there is a definite visceral reaction when I see someone drinking and driving at the same time that isn't tied to the legality of the conduct.
And it's not illegal in all states, yet. A number of states have decided not to comply with TEA-21. Pre-1999 (and passage of TEA-21) it was actually pretty common to drink and drive at the same time.
I do look at people who CC and drink the same way I look at people who OC and drink. It's foolish -- likely moreso than drinking and driving from a legal standpoint.
If you have a beer or two, wreck out, and blow a .04 there is a good chance you'll avoid any serious penalty simply because you had a little alcohol in your blood. Yeah, you'll get run in, hassled, and maybe tried, but you can win and the consequence of losing is minimal.
If you shoot someone and you blow a .04 you're damn near guaranteed the railroad treatment, and the consequences are a heck of a lot more severe.
Sure, the chances of wrecking or getting pulled over are a lot higher than shooting someone, but I'll take a higher risk of a lower consequence any day of the week.
I'm not saying I'm above reproach, I'm just saying it's a shitty idea, regardless of whether it's one or five from a legal standpoint. And then there's the whole habitual drunkard thing. Why OC and drink -- it begs them to harass you about your CC permit.