Drinking after shooting?

[big matt]

Hi, can you have a beer or 2 after finishing shooting on your property if the guns and ammo are put away correctly....as in your car and ammo locked up? I'm shooting on another of my properties and then want to have a beer before going home....cheers

[bigrich]

don't see why not . so long as your not over the legal limit to drive . although , if by chance your over the limit and get caught , that could have serious implications for your firearms liscence .

[big matt]

Exactly, my thoughts were about having perhaps a small amount still in your system but under the limit and then handling your guns from your car to the safe when you get home....

[mchughcb]

Absolutely not. You could trip on a tent peg and place yourself and the property owner in great risk. Therefore wait until you exit the property. Park the car on the road reserve and then get smashed. Remember rethink your third drink.

[big matt]

It's my own property and I don't intend to get smashed anywhere...let alone the side of the road...

[Lsfan]

Not a bad question. So if I go to a range then pack everything in the car and go to the pub and have a few beers, drive home and put the gear away, is there a problem with this if I'm under the legal limit?

[big matt]

That's my point....you're handling firearms whilst a small amount of alcohol is in your system...therefore being against the law? Yes? If moving them from your car to your safe...

[Lsfan]

So if the police pull you over and measure 0.04bal and notice firearms in the back, are you breaking the law? Or will they ask how are you going to get them out of the car?
I don't know the answer.

[mchughcb]

It's my own property and I don't intend to get smashed anywhere...let alone the side of the road...

Well then drink away.

[big matt]

That's not really a great answer...or helpful. If I drink on my own property and the Police turn up and see me handling guns and decide to breathalyse me I don't they'll agree with me having a gun licence...

[Fionn]

Hi, can you have a beer or 2 after finishing shooting on your property if the guns and ammo are put away correctly....as in your car and ammo locked up? I'm shooting on another of my properties and then want to have a beer before going home....cheers

Yes you can.

The offence is handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol.

[Gamerancher]

So long as they are secured and you don't get them out again, no problem.
The grey area is when you get home and want to put them away. It's not clear if you have to be zero or under 0.05.

[bigrich]

That's not really a great answer...or helpful. If I drink on my own property and the Police turn up and see me handling guns and decide to breathalyse me I don't they'll agree with me having a gun licence...

Personally I don’t drink then drive home with firearms in the car. Some Country coppers could be understanding , some might not. After the recent shooting in QLD, I’d say some coppers might be nervous around shooters. Probably best to play it safe and wait till you get home before having a beer . The world isn’t what it was 30 years ago with attitudes to firearms from the police and non shooting public
JMHO

[Fionn]

The grey area is when you get home and want to put them away. It's not clear if you have to be zero or under 0.05.

It's not a quantified measurement, the requirement is not be under the influence.

Which is a question of fact.

[Fionn]

That's not really a great answer...or helpful. If I drink on my own property and the Police turn up and see me handling guns and decide to breathalyse me I don't they'll agree with me having a gun licence...

Personally I don’t drink then drive home with firearms in the car. Some Country coppers could be understanding , some might not. After the recent shooting in QLD, I’d say some coppers might be nervous around shooters. Probably best to play it safe and wait till you get home before having a beer . The world isn’t what it was 30 years ago with attitudes to firearms from the police and non shooting public
JMHO

The issue isn't so much about having alcohol in your system and driving while under the limit, it's more that if you are over the limit you're committing an offence while in possession of firearms. Again not necessarily against the law, but it may make a case that your not a fit and proper person to hold a firearms licence.

[Oldbloke]

I searched both the NSW Act and Regulations using:
Drugs
Alcohol &
Influence

Nothing popped up. Even looked on the NSW Police web site, didn't find anything there either. Pretty poor really.

In Vic it's a bit clearer:

Screenshot_20221221-092517_Open Office Viewer.jpg (109.91 KiB) Viewed 8513 times

IMO just use good judgement, don't handle firearms if you have 2 or 3 & keep them locked up. Or email the local firearms division, and get the reply in writing.

[Fionn]

It's under section 64 of firearms act.

[Oldbloke]

It's under section 64 of firearms act.

Found it. I had somehow only downloaded some amendments of the Act. Did seem a small act. Lol

Almost identical wording to Vic.

[on_one_wheel]

There's no limit in SA
just need ensure you don't become so intoxicated that you can't safely handle your firearm

[Pendous]

Firearms Act 1996 No 46
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-1996-046#sec.64

64   Restrictions where alcohol or other drugs concerned(cf 1989 Act s 16)

(1) A person must not handle or use a firearm while the person is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 5 years.

(2) A person must not supply or give possession of a firearm to another person—

(a)  if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, or

(b)  if the other person’s appearance or behaviour is such that the person intending to supply or give possession of the firearm believes or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person is incapable of exercising responsible control over the firearm.

Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 5 years.

[Oldbloke]

I think the Acts should be clearer. For example 0.05 limit.
Because some prick cop (that got a knock back last night) can decide at 0.03 your intoxicated and then your left with a 20k lawyers bill fighting it. Just my Opinion. Most cops are fine.

[on_one_wheel]

I thinks limits are ridiculous, perhaps some people can't be trusted at .05 % personally I'll take a full 750ml bottle of spirits before I become seriously intoxicated while others sniff a beer bottle top and go silly.

[Oldbloke]

I thinks limits are ridiculous, perhaps some people can't be trusted at .05 % personally I'll take a full 750ml bottle of spirits before I become seriously intoxicated while others sniff a beer bottle top and go silly.

That may be true. But leaving it as a purely subjective decision of an individual is stupid, or a perhaps a set up to get you at any level.

[str8shutr]

What's 2 tonnes on 4 wheels travelling at 60+ km/h if it piles into a person?

I'd call it a weapon.

So, by pub test, if .05 BAC is ok for a vehicle, I would have thought it reasonable to apply the same logic to the handling of any other hazardous device.

That said, if you're cracking a beer at the range near me, I'd probably call it a day and head home.

Plus, the law often lacks logic, so it sounds like check the regs first.

[on_one_wheel]

I thinks limits are ridiculous, perhaps some people can't be trusted at .05 % personally I'll take a full 750ml bottle of spirits before I become seriously intoxicated while others sniff a beer bottle top and go silly.

That may be true. But leaving it as a purely subjective decision of an individual is stupid, or a perhaps a set up to get you at any level.

I like the freedom of making my own decisions, I'm confident in making the right ones and im happy to pay the price if I make a poor one.

[bigpete]

Booze and guns don't mix.....simple as that.

[on_one_wheel]

Booze and guns don't mix.....simple as that.

Bloody wowser
It's not like you have one or two beverages and becoming incapable of safety handling a firearm.

[bigpete]

Not a wowser
Sensible.
Seen blokes wank on about drinking and shooting and how it doesn't affect them....talked to people who went out with them who verify that they shot at s**t that wasn't even there and made questionable decisions,like firing at animals amongst stock or on sky lines.
Nope. Will never allow anyone who thinks the 2 mix set foot on any of my blocks or come out with me.

[on_one_wheel]

How pissed were those idiots?
There's an obvious difference between going out munted and having a few beverages.
If a couple of drinks makes you that bad, you shouldn't be drinking at all.

[bigpete]

I wouldn't know as I don't go out shooting with people who drink and shoot. But I know the blokes,and they're the sort who reckon 1 or 2 is fine,then end up reckoning a bottle of Bundy makes em shoot better....