utbagpiper
Banned
As you may have seen in national media, the Utah legislature recently passed and our governor signed HB 155 that lowers the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving to 0.05%. This in comparison to the current law in Utah and all other US States of 0.08% BAC.
This change goes into effect on Dec 30, 2018, so over a full year away.
It is entirely possible that the law will be altered in some way before it takes effect.
However, in addition to affecting driving after consuming alcohol the new law also effects RKBA.
Under URS 76-10-528, a person may not legally "carry" a dangerous weapon (which certainly includes a firearm) if his BAC is high enough to cause a DUI if he were driving.
Utah does not prohibit possession of a firearm in a restaurant or bar. Nor do we prohibit imbibing while carrying a gun. But as noted above, it is illegal to carry a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with the legal limit for alcohol being the same as for DUI. If nothing changes before Dec 30, 2018, that legal limit will drop from the current 0.08% to 0.05%.
According to the NTSB, this is good news for road safety in Utah. But it also creates an increased need for lawful gun carriers to be extra diligent of how much they drink while armed.
Charles
This change goes into effect on Dec 30, 2018, so over a full year away.
It is entirely possible that the law will be altered in some way before it takes effect.
However, in addition to affecting driving after consuming alcohol the new law also effects RKBA.
Under URS 76-10-528, a person may not legally "carry" a dangerous weapon (which certainly includes a firearm) if his BAC is high enough to cause a DUI if he were driving.
Utah does not prohibit possession of a firearm in a restaurant or bar. Nor do we prohibit imbibing while carrying a gun. But as noted above, it is illegal to carry a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with the legal limit for alcohol being the same as for DUI. If nothing changes before Dec 30, 2018, that legal limit will drop from the current 0.08% to 0.05%.
According to the NTSB, this is good news for road safety in Utah. But it also creates an increased need for lawful gun carriers to be extra diligent of how much they drink while armed.
Charles