Texas may start allowing alcohol sales at some gun shows

[eieio 1,594]

Yes, but you can only buy one if you blow a .02+ on the breathalyser.

Good! It just sucks in MN because I can never buy a gun. When my BAC gets below .10...I get a little twitchy.

[eieio 1,594]

So, how does a person get shot with an unloaded weapon?

A gift from God?

Miracles do happen?

Jesus loaded it?

Bush did it?

[UncleBeer 244]

Yes I read the article. Did you read the one a couple of weeks ago about the person who got shot at a gun show. Apparently there was a strict policy of no loaded weapons.

People get shot, even (possibly 'especially') in supposed "gun free zones". This is not a gun issue; it's a mental health issue. If you're saying that the introduction of alcohol at these gun shows will foment gun violence, then you're actually arguing for a general prohibition of alcohol everywhere. Is that your intent?

[Dakine10 5,452]

People get shot, even (possibly 'especially') in supposed "gun free zones". This is not a gun issue; it's a mental health issue. If you're saying that the introduction of alcohol at these gun shows will foment gun violence, then you're actually arguing for a general prohibition of alcohol everywhere. Is that your intent?

The vendor in question did not have a mental health issue. He was careless and irresponsible.

I'm not arguing for prohibition, I'm saying it's a poor idea. It will be called into question as soon as someone gets hurt and there is alcohol involved.

[UncleBeer 244]

The vendor in question did not have a mental health issue. He was careless and irresponsible.

I'm not arguing for prohibition, I'm saying it's a poor idea. It will be called into question as soon as someone gets hurt and there is alcohol involved.

So ... if you're not objecting generally to the alcohol component of this story, then you're objecting to guns in general. They're legal. Deal with it.

(...until such time as the preznit figures out a way to 'executive action' away the 2nd amendment; I'm sure he's mulling that while playing his 185th round of golf...)

[Dakine10 5,452]

So ... if you're not objecting generally to the alcohol component of this story, then you're objecting to guns in general. They're legal. Deal with it.

(...until such time as the preznit figures out a way to 'executive action' away the 2nd amendment; I'm sure he's mulling that while playing his 185th round of golf...)

I think your being purposely obtuse here now. I didn't advocate prohibition and I do think mixing alcohol and guns is a bad idea even in principle, and certainly in practice.

I don't have any objection against gun owners getting drunk. I do object to drunks possessing guns.

[UncleBeer 244]

I think your being purposely obtuse here now. I didn't advocate prohibition and I do think mixing alcohol and guns is a bad idea even in principle, and certainly in practice.

No, I'm just trying to figure out what your objections are. Alcohol and working weapons absolutely won't be mixed at these venues. So. again ... what's the problem?

I don't have any objection against gun owners getting drunk. I do object to drunks possessing guns.

Neither of which is the case in this instance.

[Dakine10 5,452]

No, I'm just trying to figure out what your objections are. Alcohol and working weapons absolutely won't be mixed at these venues. So. again ... what's the problem?

Neither of which is the case in this instance.

Enlighten me then. Are gun shows sort of like the zoo? Do you go there to pet the guns and take pictures with your kids?

I've only been to one and near as I can tell most people were there to get guns. But that was just one and I was just tagging along so maybe my experience is not typical. IMO the risk of dying of boredom far exceeds that of any gun or alcohol related risks. But I suppose I digress here.

So let me ask. Is there really a market for gun shows where you can't get a gun? If not what's the point, because we already have established venues where people can go to drink.

[Karee 4,190]

the risk of dying of boredom far exceeds that of any gun or alcohol related risks.

Agreed.

[UncleBeer 244]

Enlighten me then. Are gun shows sort of like the zoo? Do you go there to pet the guns and take pictures with your kids?

I haven't a clue what you're talking about.

I've only been to one and near as I can tell most people were there to get guns.

I've never been to a gun show, but it's my understanding that there's a waiting period, where a purchaser's background is checked before he may take possession of his purchase (surely you don't object to that?). The term of the waiting period varies from state to state. So yeah: they go to buy guns, but not to take possession of guns.

[Dakine10 5,452]

I've never been to a gun show, but it's my understanding that there's a waiting period, where a purchaser's background is checked before he may take possession of his purchase (surely you don't object to that?). The term of the waiting period varies from state to state. So yeah: they go to buy guns, but not to take possession of guns.

I'm not sure about Texas. The waiting period here to buy at a gun show is approx 15 minutes - the length of time it takes for them to run the background check. The wait in line is longer to get in. So you buy the gun and walk around for a little bit and then you can take possession of weapon.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Agreed.

To that extent, I do see the appeal of having a beer or 2 at a gun show. Just like I sometimes could use one on the drive home from work. Still doesn't make it a good idea.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Dakine10

[UncleBeer 244]

I'm not sure about Texas. The waiting period here to buy at a gun show is approx 15 minutes - the length of time it takes for them to run the background check. The wait in line is longer to get in. So you buy the gun and walk around for a little bit and then you can take possession of weapon.

I learned there is no waiting period in Texas to buy a gun, but the paperwork, background check, required training and other requirements are pretty rigorous:

The concealed handgun law sets out the eligibility criteria that must be met. For example, an applicant must be eligible to purchase a handgun under the State and Federal laws (including an age restriction of 21), however an exception is granted to active members of the military who are age 18 and over. Additionally, a number of factors may make a person ineligible (temporarily or permanently) to obtain a license, including:

• felony convictions (permanent) and Class A or B misdemeanors (5 years, permanent in cases of domestic violence), including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication;
• pending criminal charges (indefinite until resolved);
• chemical or alcohol dependency (defined as 2 convictions for substance-related offenses in a 10-year period; 10-year ban from the date of the first conviction);
• certain types of psychological diagnoses (indefinite until the condition is testified by a medical professional as being in remission);
• protective or restraining orders (indefinite until rescinded); or
• defaults on taxes, student loans, child support and/or other governmental fees (indefinite until resolved).^[4]

This last category, though having little to do with a person's ability to own a firearm, is in keeping with Texas policy for any licensing; those who are delinquent or in default on State-regulated debts are generally barred from obtaining or renewing any State-issued license (including driver licenses), as an incentive to settle those debts.

"Information regarding any psychiatric, drug, alcohol, or criminal history" is required only from new users.^[5] Renewals are required every five years, but are granted without further inquiry into or update of this information.

An eligible person wishing to obtain a CHL must take a State-set instruction course taught by a licensed instructor for a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 6 hours, covering topics such as applicable laws, conflict resolution, criminal/civil liability, and handgun safety, and pass a practical qualification at a firing range with a weapon of the type they wish to use (revolver or semi-automatic) and of a caliber greater than .32". Such courses vary in cost, but are typically around $100–$125 for new applicants (usually not including the cost of ammunition and other shooting supplies; the practical qualification requires firing 50 rounds of ammunition). They may then apply, providing a picture, fingerprints, other documentation, and a $140 application fee ($70 for renewals, and active and discharged military are eligible for discounts) to the DPS, which processes the application, runs a federal background check, and if all is well, issues the permit. Permits are valid for five years, and allow resident holders to carry in 29 other states (nonresidents may carry in all but four of those),^[6] due to reciprocity agreements.^[7] Discounted CHL fees vary from $0 for active duty military (through one year after discharge), to $25 for military veterans.^[8]The combination of the application fee and the instruction/qualification make the cost of initially obtaining a CHL for a civilian roughly $250, which is among the highest such costs among "shall-issue" states.

Note the restrictions on those with drug/alcohol problems.

Interesting side-note: this article claims that Texas leads the nation in gun background checks, and posits that one of the causes in the growth of firearms sales is every time the left threatens to ban guns; folks rush to the store to beat the clampdown. Thanks, O'bama.

Again, since working weapons and alcohol won't be in the same place at the same time, I don't get what your objection is, besides "Eww: guns".

Edited August 10, 2014 by UncleBeer

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You should go to Vermont. EVERYONE has a gun.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Show me one instance where a gun, properly handled, kills the person handling it (excepting suicides, where the intent of the proper handling is the death of the handler).

I bet you can't. The reason being that it is always the mishandling of the weapon, either by an idiot, in the case of the linked thread, or a careless owner. The human element is the lethal part of the equation, not the firearm.

Alcohol, on the other hand, kills a lot of people, even when properly handled.

Yes, firearms totally fail their one and only purpose. They're not lethal at all. Everything else is, just not the firearm. Poor little thing.