So I'm writing an essay about backup guns..anybody want to comment?

[Gundam]

I'm currently writing an essay for my college english class. I will be making the argument that all agencies should allow the carrrying of backup guns, or as some like to call them...BUGs. Since I'm not a police officer (yet anyways), I have no personal experience with BUGs and their usefulness or potential problems (physically and politically.) Would anyone like to toss their two cents in?

Another quick question, in this essay I have to state my audience. Basically it is a person that the letter is directed to. Who would be the person that can make the possibilty of allowing BUGs to all agencies? :confused:

[gabe a.]

I was unaware that any agency would forbid their officers to carry a BUG. Seems like a strange policy, why would they disallow something that is nothing more than a secondary safety precaution? What are some departments that do not allow them?

[txinvestigator1]

some agencies are afraid the officers will use them as "throw downs".

[warlock]

I've heard about officers also getting made fun of if they carry a backup.

I mean if its your life on the line...why should other people care how careful you want to be?

:cool:

[Ghost 1]

I have heard of agencies using the BS "throw down" excuse too,but luckily never worked for one.

As long as the agency has a annual qualification with the BUG's and records all the weapons information (make,model,caliber,serial number),then there is no problem and no justification for the throw down excuse.

[rdp]

Our agency records our back up information and we have to redo the paperwork every 6 mos. when we requalify with the weapon......kind of hard to use a weapon you are qualified with as a throw down.

As for your audience, it would be the policy maker of an agency....pick the sheriff or chief of police.

[marine19860222]

I've heard about officers also getting made fun of if they carry a backup.

I mean if its your life on the line...why should other people care how careful you want to be?

:cool:

id look like rambo, if it was possible lol.

[txinvestigator1]

I have heard of agencies using the BS "throw down" excuse too,but luckily never worked for one.

As long as the agency has a annual qualification with the BUG's and records all the weapons information (make,model,caliber,serial number),then there is no problem and no justification for the throw down excuse.

Agreed. Just stating the excuse some agencies use.

Your fastest reload is a second gun. ;)

[Gundam]

I am aware that no one person can set a nationwide policy. But let's say at a statewide level, who would theoretically be the person to contact to get the ball running?

And what exactly is a "throw down" weapon?

[txinvestigator1]

I am aware that no one person can set a nationwide policy. But let's say at a statewide level, who would theoretically be the person to contact to get the ball running?

And what exactly is a "throw down" weapon?

There is No one at any level other than the top person at each agency who makes the decision. I suppose a law could be passed prohibiting LE agencies from prohibiting officers from carrying BUG's, so the person would be a legislator who agrees to introduce a bill.

A throw down is a term used to describe a weapon, generally untraceable, that would be placed in the hand of, or on the person of someone a LEO killed if that person turned out to be unarmed. The throw down would be placed before other officers or investigators arrived.

[gdowkpc]

I have heard of agencies using the BS "throw down" excuse too,but luckily never worked for one.

As long as the agency has a annual qualification with the BUG's and records all the weapons information (make,model,caliber,serial number),then there is no problem and no justification for the throw down excuse.

This is what my agency does. You are required to qual with it before you can carry it.

[dragonspider]

"Backup Gun"?? How about a "Back the %#@^ Up Gun"... get a grenade launcher or something...that'll stop 'em in their tracks. j/k of course!

[ngcsubutterbar]

my two cents, common sense that is, carry a weapon in which you can use the same magazine in both weapons.

[corporal716]

Like ngcsubutterbar said, it should have inter changeable magazines and be the same caliber as your duty weapon. Most agancies that allow them will have a qualification requirement. The agencie I worked for had a list of approved duty and backup weapons. When they issued everyone the Glock the only backup we could have had to be another Glock.
Back when most officers carrried revolvers the .357 was the weapon of choice. A lot of guys carried a .38 stub nose as a backup. One reason was because you could use the .38 round in the .357. Instead of carrying speed loaders full of .357 rounds they would fill them with .38's. That way they would not get confused in a fire fight. Interchangeable is always the best rout to go!

[HiTechCj]

Greetings:

I am fairly certain that policies relating to carrying back-up weapons are made on an agency to agency basis. I did 24 years, of which 21 was in street job (officer, sergeant and Lieutenant Watch Commander) - I always carried a back-up weapon into the field.

1. It used to be that a back-up was the quickest way to reload. However, with the advent of semi-automatic weapons I am fairly certain that reloading with a magazine is quicker. If you are still carrying a "wheel" gun then a back-up would provide quicker access to additional ammunition.
2. A back-up gun is carried in case you experience a non-correctable malfunction with your primary weapon. However, it is not a replacement for solid training in clearing common malfunctions with a semi-automatic. But, in case of a catastrophic malfunciton, the back-up weapon would be Indispensable.
3. According to the FBI, "Sixty officers were killed in 2001 with firearms. Of these 60 officers, 45 were slain with handguns, 11 with rifles, and 4 with shotguns. Seven officers were killed with vehicles, 1 officer was murdered with personal weapons (hands, fists, feet) and 1 was killed with a blunt object. Thirtynine officers were wearing body armor at the time of their deaths, and 3 were slain with their own weapons." This is one of the paradoxes of back-up weapons. If you lose your primary weapon (say in a foot pursuit or some thug taking it from you), your back-up is there to protect you. On the other hand, you must be able to control the weapon so that it is not used against you. Unfortunately, I don't know of any statistics relative to officers either being killed or saved by their back-ups.
4. A back-up weapon should be concealed, readily accessible and comfortable. I have seen them carried in a shoulder holster under the uniform, in the front waistband, in a rear or front pocket and in an ankle holster. Each is a trade off between concealment, accessiblity and comfort. The only one I never tried was a shoulder holster. I settled on the waistband (soft holster sewn into the front of the uniform pants). The pockets were uncomfortable and the ankle holster really sucked.

I hope this helps with your essay.

Raymond
www.hitechcj.com