Public Safety and Security Committee
Judiciary Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING CARRYING A FIREARM WHILE INTOXICATED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
SUMMARY: This act lowers, from . 10% to . 08%, the blood alcohol content (BAC) level that triggers a presumptive violation of the law's prohibition on carrying a loaded firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The . 08% level is the same threshold as for state and federal driving under the influence (DUI) laws.
The act also makes three changes pertaining to hunting while impaired by alcohol or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. First, it eliminates the offense of hunting while impaired by alcohol, which, under prior law, was hunting with a BAC of more than . 07% but under . 10%.
Second, it lowers, from . 10% to . 08%, the BAC level that triggers a presumptive violation of the law's prohibition on hunting while under the influence. In doing so, it increases from . 07% to . 08% the BAC level that triggers a presumptive violation by someone previously convicted of hunting under the influence or while impaired.
Third, the act sets a new and lower BAC threshold of . 02% for anyone under age 21, conforming this provision to the BAC level that triggers a presumptive violation of the state's DUI law for drivers under age 21 (CGS § 14-227g).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2016
BACKGROUND
Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence
By law, carrying a loaded firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a class B misdemeanor, and hunting while under the influence is a class A misdemeanor (see Table on Penalties). The energy and environmental protection commissioner may indefinitely suspend the hunting license of a person convicted of hunting while under the influence (CGS § 53a-217e (h)).
OLR Tracking: VR; SD; PF; cmg