A Very VALID B.U.G. Reminder

[QKShooter]

Remember that one huge (not often mentioned) advantage of carrying a B.U.G. (Back Up Gun) AKA ~ An additional or second/extra firearm is not even so much that YOU PERSONALLY will need it.
You might just find yourself in a Defensive Scenario where you will be in close proximity with a friend, companion, spouse or even a total stranger who is unarmed but, knows how to shoot!
Your chances of staying alive (AKA Remaining Not Dead ) are much greater if you can increase your Qualified Defensive Shooting Return Firepower to TWO DEFENSIVE SHOOTERS as VS just one. You'll be able to DO that by arming that person with your B.U.G.!
Just something that I have not heard mentioned on this particular forum to date.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Euclidean]

I don't think he's saying arm a stranger, but if it's someone you can trust not to shoot you or themselves it may be a valid point.

For instance, say you live in a shall issue state and you can get a permit and your equally well trained spouse cannot.

Admittedly it would require a far fetched scenario for this idea to honestly be of any use, but it would be another advantage of having a BUG.

The two gun ideology is something we've used before as a family when I was growing up. We had to make some family trips through bad places under bad circumstances. My father always brought along a Rossi .357 Magnum revolver and kept it with his P85. That revolver was for me, just in case. And once it actually came in handy.

We were going through Arkansas at 3 AM and just had to stop. I was about 17 at the time making my siblings 12 and 11. I got out, went to the restroom, and had climbed back into the car.

My mother returned and asked me to please get the gun and follow her. I thought that was a most curious request. Well I did until I got there.

See the women's room was on the opposite side of the rest stop and there was a little deal there with some vending machines in it. Standing around were about a half dozen guys just staring at us. I understood now. I stood along the wall with my hand in my jacket on the grip of the Rossi.

Nothing happened, but what really mystified me was there were no other vehicles at this rest stop at all. The six guys at the rest stop never moved, they were still there waiting when we left, and it was obvious they were keeping an eye on the women's restroom. This whole time my father and his primary weapon were indisposed.

My mother was frightened enough of these people to go so far as to ask her teenage son to conceal a firearm and escort her and her daughter. Just think about that for a while.

[jdsumner]

My wife shoots very well. Although, out together, she rarely has one on her person. Me carrying a second gun is a valid way to arm her.

Dan

[P95Carry]

I agree with regard to one's choice of shooter to whom to ''donate''!.

Stranger? Very unlikely but, friend, family, who is to our knowledge capable then I think yes - a BUG could be a valuable back-up - in other hands.

Overall I think it very unlikely - much as anything cos situations would for most part be fast going down - so maybe little or no time to pass BUG over.

Most likely use for a BUG is by us personally - either because primary has run dry, malfunctioned, gotten dropped/damaged etc - and we have to resort to another gun.

I am I admit, despite my dedication to constant carry, not availed of a BUG most of the time - at least not on my person. If I am then it is probably R9 in ankle or pocket. Beyond that I could maybe qualify one or two other guns in and around house and office as BUG if within reach - and that would be a matter of luck most times.

Oh near forgot - NAA mini is in fact with me almost all time - I tend to forget the lil' fella is ridin' along in vest pocket!

On a totally flippant note - excuse this LOL ............ Just imagining a situation where I pass NAA mini to wife or friend - and they get busy with that as distractive move - just a shot or two (from cover please) whilst I gain that extra valuable second or so enabling my larger cal shots to really count.!

[QKShooter]

I would consider arming an off duty police officer or a mall security guard that was not personally known to me. I can probably safely assume that there would be some rudimentary firearms knowledge present there. It's also possible to assume that most military & retired military already know how to handle a firearm and they could be safely armed with my Back Up Firearm.
My own Brother does not carry daily but, he does "bang off" a respectable paper target & I would absolutely trust him with my spare firearm.
It's also decently safe to assume that an individual that I might be pinned down with could possibly be a qualified shooter or sport hunter and could be safely armed (by me) to help render possible assistance. Just a thought.

[Euclidean]

Another thing I've always thought of: Say you're in a street encounter and you actually have an attacker surrender. It would be to your advantage if someone else could cover him while you keep your eyes out for further threats until some help arrives instead of diverting your attention between your aggressor and your surroundings.

Admittedly though from anecdotal evidence it seems like aggressors don't surrender. They tend to panic and flee if they aren't mortally wounded.

[Bumper]

I can think of alot of scenarios where a second weapon would be useful in order to arm another person. Both my brothers have permits but don't always carry. Several of my friends have their permits and don't carry. My wife and kids don't have their permits but know all too well how to shoot. And, as Euc said, it would be very useful for holding someone while you turned your attention elsewhere.

I would probably not carry a BUG specifically for another person, but certainly would not hesitate to hand one over to someone that could support my efforts if it was in the best interest of the situation.....

[Bud White]

It is a Thought my old ladys can shoot quite well but doesnt want to go though all the stuff to get her permit her in tennessee was lot easyer she said when we go on long trips i pack on on my hip and one where she can get at it on me

[rfurtkamp]

Once I'm in fear of my life, I can hand a firearm to another without worrying about it if they're in the same boat I am.

My only question at best is going to be "Can you use this?"

If it's an affirmative, then I may well hedge my bets and hope for the best since I'm already having a Murphy day.

[QKShooter]

As another POSSIBLE reason to carry a Back Up Gun.
I'm not saying that the first thing everybody should do is hand their BUG to somebody else.
One thing that I do know is that nothing ever happens exactly the way we envision it might. ALL plans & everything else can go out the window when the SHTF.

Anybody COULD be the most highly trained individual possible & still catch a first stay bullet in the chest. Stranger things have happened.
Suppose you are mortally wounded in first few seconds of a stand off firefight inside a bank.
It's possible that you may not be able to move to return fire because blood is spurting from your ribcage & you have "sucking chest wound" -
You're still alive (possibly barely) but, still want the chance to save your hide with your retained primary firearm if a BG dashes over & wants to give you a finishing shot to your skull.
Maybe...(just maybe) somebody else could take out the threat if there was a second weapon available. Just one possible scenario.
MAYBE...I'm that other person in the bank and I'm not packing that day. I sure could take out that threat for you & even keep you alive till the EMTs get there. Just something to think about.

[michael t]

With my luck I hand firearm off to stranger. It will be BG's buddy

[rocky]

I carry a B.U.G. as a last resort hideaway. Better to have a hidden gun in case. Good point though, I have several friends who don't carry , but would be able to shoot.

[A1C Lickey]

While I don't carry a BUG yet, (Yet is the key word there- I live on base, getting one weapon out of the armory every other day is rough enough; and I'm trying to pick up a few rifles at the moment.) I can see giving a weapon to several of my buddies. Obviously they're mostly military, and can shoot, unfortunately they just haven't started carrying yet or are too young. On a related note my girlfriend is only nineteen (hey- I'm twenty-four, it isn't that bad...honest), she can't carry legally, but later this week we're going to the range and I'm going to teach her how to shoot. If the SHTF I could see myself arming my girlfriend or some of my buddies without thinking about it. I know from experience I'm more worried about getting out alive and not failing my mission then what's going to happen legally afterwards.

A1C Lickey

[joe/OH]

I think the legal concerns are often over hyped in true self defense cases. If you are honestly fearing for your life or the lives of the people you care about, then you probably won't give a darn of the legal consequences of your actions to defend yourself. If you find yourself contemplating legal consequences of your actions while bullets whiz over your head, you may be spending too much time on internet forums. :D

[QKShooter]

We need to try & retreat if possible before using deadly force so before I hand my BUG over...I'm "outta there" FIRST...if at all possible. Just for the forum record.