Using your gun off-duty

[Kettlechips]

Do you carry your gun while off-duty? If so, have you ever used it while off duty?

[Libobg]

In this day and age I carry my off-duty weapon (Glock Model 27) most of the time. (And always with my ID, badge and a set of handcuffs.)

Had to use it only once. Young man tried to rob me at knife point. He learned the hard way not to bring a knife to a gunfight:D

[scootsmo]

I work in a big city so I usually carry my off duty most of the time. I carry a 9mm sig p239 off duty. Its quite a bit smaller than my on duty weapon and is better able to be concealed. I have yet to use it off duty and hopefully that is the case in the future.

[Norm357]

Originally posted by scootsmo
I work in a big city so I usually carry my off duty most of the time. I carry a 9mm sig p239 off duty. Its quite a bit smaller than my on duty weapon and is better able to be concealed. I have yet to use it off duty and hopefully that is the case in the future.

Scootsmo how do you like that 239? I am thinkin of getting one.
Norm

[scootsmo]

I love it but yet I am a little biased about sigs. It is really easy to handle and is able to be concealed easily also. I have never had anyproblems with it while using it at the range and would recommend it to anyone.

[Fin]

I almost always have my HK USP .40 on me at all times. I've never had to use it. I plan on getting a backup sidearm in the next few months, a Glock 27 .40, so I will carry it more off-duty than the HK.

[zander_zye]

Despite living in a fairly high crime area, I rarely carried an off duty weapon after my first year of employment. If for instance you have just one beer and get into an unrelated altercation, and have to use your weapon, then kiss your career goodbye.

I didn't find it necessary - lets face it, 99.995% of us (off duty and non-LE) will not experience violent crime even in a relatively high crime area (Oakland). Your chance are even less in area such as the South Bay.

[scootsmo]

Obviously there are times when I wouldn't have my gun off duty and drinking would be one of them. Carrying it is a personal thing. The way I look at it is that although there is a slim chance that we will ever use it, there is still a chance and I would much rather be safe than sorry.

[Norm357]

OK now im going to chime in with my .02 cents. I am not LE but I always carry a firearm outside of the house. When I am not (armed) I have a Smith airweight .38 in my back pocket.
I have been in a situation where I have been forced to use my weapon and I hope it never happens again, But it is better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.
Stay safe everybody,
Norm

[zadlow]

I'm going to have to give a reply to Norm here. If you're a civilian, the chances of you ever using a gun in self defense are much less than the chance of that gun killing a family member. I'm not disagreeing with Norm that I'd want to remain armed. I'm just saying if anyone thinks they just need if for self defense, they should think twice. And if you do decide to go armed, LOCK THOSE GUNS UP WHEN YOU'RE NOT USING THEM, PARTICULARLY IF THERE ARE KIDS. Lot's of studies show parents think their kids are "too smart" to play with a gun, but lots of studies show that this is exactly what most kids do. Also make sure to identify your targets folks. Don't just shoot the suspected burglar in the dark. And if you find yourself getting angry get away from the situation and away from the gun before you do anything stupid.

Stay safe folks.

[Jynkxxie]

Originally posted by Norm357
But it is better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.
Norm

Right On!

[Jynkxxie]

Zadlow, I agree with keeping guns locked up when not in use, but what if I am asleep and someone breaks into my home and threatens my life? What am I supposed to say, hang on let me get my gun out of the safe? I guess if you live in a larger home than mine you would have more time, but not in my house. It is like you walk in, you turn around, you have seen the whole thing. Also why hide the guns from you children? (I am not saying not to keep them in a safe) but why not teach them gun safety? They may still be curious, but less likely to abuse them.

[Norm357]

Originally posted by zadlow
I'm going to have to give a reply to Norm here. If you're a civilian, the chances of you ever using a gun in self defense are much less than the chance of that gun killing a family member. I'm not disagreeing with Norm that I'd want to remain armed. I'm just saying if anyone thinks they just need if for self defense, they should think twice. And if you do decide to go armed, LOCK THOSE GUNS UP WHEN YOU'RE NOT USING THEM, PARTICULARLY IF THERE ARE KIDS. Lot's of studies show parents think their kids are "too smart" to play with a gun, but lots of studies show that this is exactly what most kids do. Also make sure to identify your targets folks. Don't just shoot the suspected burglar in the dark. And if you find yourself getting angry get away from the situation and away from the gun before you do anything stupid.

Stay safe folks.

If you read my post zadlow you will have seen that I have already used my weapon in self defense. Have you? No disrespect intended but I think that the choice to carry a weapon is a serious one and not one to be taken lightly. I put much thought into this decision and am very serious about it. As for my daughter getting into my guns(plural egads) just ask her what would happen if I found her in my gun safe! lol Like I said this is just my .02 cents.
Stay safe everybody,
Norm

[zadlow]

Talia, I was just trying to stress that believing your kids are "too smart" is an error you don't want to make. Certainly I recommend teaching them gun safety as well as keeping them locked. Here I was mainly talking to people who don't do this, and think that the smart kid will know better on their own. Personally at night if I had kids and wanted to remain armed I would put one gun unlocked but keep it in a place where if the kids came anywhere near it I would wake up, like in my bedroom, in a drawer, with the bedroom door closed and probably locked.

But mainly I was just stressing gun safety and that other things should be considered before thinking a civilian needs a gun for self defense.

[zadlow]

Originally posted by Norm357
No disrespect intended but I think that the choice to carry a weapon is a serious one and not one to be taken lightly.

This is what I was trying to stress Norm. Not accusing you of doing the same, my post wasn't directed at you, just saying some people rush into it without thinking and like you said, it should definitely not be taken lightly.

I knew when I posted it I'd have to be careful with my words to say exactly what I meant to say. Wonder how long I'll be on the defensive:D .
That's Ok, I like it there:D .