To Carry Or Not To Carry, That Is The Question

I’ve been a cop for almost 25 years, and it’s rare I don’t carry a pistol, plus a set of handcuffs. Besides my time on patrol, I’ve had to “take action” more than once while off duty. That is something a cop is expected to be ready for. But recently more people have wanted to be ready to “take action” for their own protection.

Recent court cases have shown how serious use of firearms is. For good review I recommend Legal Insurrection and their Law of Self Defense specialist, lawyer Andrew Branca. Mr. Branca has presented daily summaries of some recent notable shooting cases, such as the Rittenhouse case, the Chauvin trial, and Alex Baldwin. Currently he is reviewing the trial of former officer Kim Wright. Reading through his well researched reports, it gives you a great look at how the law is different in various states.

I’ve been asked by friends, family, even strangers (when I’m in uniform) about carrying a weapon for protection. The recent cases of civilians getting into justified shootings (e.g., Kyle Rittenhouse, George Zimmermann), and unjustified shootings (e.g., Ahmaud Arbery), shows the need to think of several issues.

Shooting is deadly force, not an intermediate weapon. There has always been a cliché of “shooting to wound,” such as shooting someone in the leg. If I sever the femoral artery (big one in the leg) or the brachial in the arm, there is an excellent chance that person will bleed out before the ambulance gets to them. Intentional or not, they’re dead. Not to mention your appendages move a lot more and quicker than your chest/abdomen, so hitting them is more difficult than “center mass.” Also, if you do hit the arm or leg, excellent chance the bullet will exit the body and may strike an innocent third person behind the target. You must concentrate on hitting your target where you are more likely to strike without endangering others.

That ties into another issue with bullets. On the range, most police use hard ball ammunition for practice (cheaper). However, on the streets, we use hollow point bullets. By design hollow points flatten as they enter the body, creating more force, inflicting more damage and hopefully able to disable the target quicker. But a critical point, they are less likely to exit the body, which means they are not a threat to people behind the target. Many police agencies will not let you carry hard core bullets on the street as they are a serious safety issue.

Laws on carrying a firearm have changed in the last few decades. In 1991, a man went into a Luby’s in Killeen TX and started shooting. In total, he murdered 23 people (I knew one of them, an Army officer stationed at nearby Ft. Hood). Later a survivor testified to a US Senate hearing on how she had to leave her pistol in her car (Texas law restricted concealed carry at the time) and it was the biggest mistake of her life. Both her parents died in that shooting. In the years since, Texas has led the nation on expanding the right to carry firearms to law abiding citizens. (The difference Leftists, is that Criminals will carry firearms despite it being illegal, that’s why they are called “criminals.” They don’t obey laws, like illegal use of weapons, murder, robbery, etc. Got it?).

Know the law in your state, not only of carrying weapons, but of what is justified use. Texas recently went to Constitutional Carry, allowing citizens without felony or certain misdemeanor convictions to carry a firearm, openly or concealed. While legal to carry without training, ignorance of the legal requirements of firearms could be very serious. For example, even with open carry allowed, businesses can still forbid people from carrying in their establishments. Also, other states recognize Texas License to Carry in their state but may not recognize Constitutional Carry.

Lack of a license can also be an issue with another critical need, insurance. If a criminal breaks into your home and you justifiably shoot him, this doesn’t end the legal issues. You will be investigated by the authorities (e.g., police, district attorney) to ensure your use of force was justified. You need a lawyer to represent you in this matter. US Law Shield, US Concealed Carry, and other services are available, but normally they require a state issued license. And depending on the state, after you shoot the POS threatening your family in your home, he may still have standing to sue you (Yes, it’s BS, but depending on the legal jurisdiction, they can). So be prepared.

After looking at these issues, what else? Well, you need a gun. And this is not a time to get delusions of carrying a Smith & Wesson Model 29 (Commonly known as Dirty Harry’s 44 Magnum, “The most powerful handgun in the world…”). Find a pistol that works for you. I have small hands, so I’m not carrying a Model 29 (Not to mention, it kicks like a mule, my wrists, elbows, and shoulders still remember shooting it). Normally off duty I carry a Sig Sauer 365, very concealable and carries a lot of bullets. Sometimes I use a Ruger LCR 357 (It’s my normal backup weapon on the streets). If you have little experience with firearms, get with someone who does (A lot of ranges allow you to test fire various pistols) and see what works. Don’t forget, a holster to securely carry your pistol. The point is to be concealed, make sure it doesn’t fall off. And don’t forget extra magazines for bullets.

Now you got your weapon (s), this critical issue. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Start with the basics, WITH YOU PISTOL UNLOADED, make sure it works with clothing you normally wear. With carrying a pistol, you may need to start wearing shirts one or two sizes larger than normal. Also, don’t forget extra ammunition. Now practice taking out your weapons, acquiring your target, aiming, and shooting. Once you are comfortable with that, then get to a range where you can practice with live rounds. Get proficient with bullets before you start carrying.

Also, something to ensure things don’t get out of hand. If you are carrying a firearm, either on your person or in your car, licensed or not, when you have an interaction with a cop, let him know you’re armed. A couple of years back I was on a scene, and I asked for a man’s driver’s license. I noticed the Texas License to Carry in his wallet. I asked him, “Sir, don’t move your hands. Are you armed?” He was. I explained to him to always let the cops know, as a surprise firearm “Gets us excited. If you bend over, and your shirt pulls up exposing the weapon we didn’t know about, one of my officers will scream, ‘GUN!’ and pull his weapon…” The man got the point.

In summary, “keeping and bearing” a firearm is your right, guaranteed by the US Constitution, but the details are somewhat limited by individual states. If you choose to carry a pistol, get one that works for you, get proficient and safe with its use. Follow the local/state laws and get a legal service in case of the worse. Also, nothing wrong with falling back and letting the bad guy have your property. He wants your car, fine, you can get a new car. He’s wanting your family…that’s another matter.

 

Michael A. Thiac is a retired Army intelligence officer, with over 23 years experience, including serving in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Middle East. He is also a retired police patrol sergeant, with over 22 years’ service, and over ten year’s experience in field training of newly assigned officers. He has been published at The American Thinker, PoliceOne.com, and on his personal blog, A Cop’s Watch.

Opinions expressed are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of current or former employers.

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