Well, I never have. I don't intend to start doing so, either, mostly because I just don't see it as likely that I'd need a second gun. I'm not going into combat every day; I'm not even going into "bad areas" every day (or pretty much ever). I also don't think it's likely that my GLOCK is going to fail me if needed, and I don't think I've trained myself to be handling a "gun disabled by incoming fire" situation in the first place (another reason for having a backup, according to articles I've read).
I consider myself well-enough-defended with one gun; that's a compromise, since I really do understand that if one gun is good, two is even better. But I am not willing to weigh myself down with a second gun. It's hard enough concealing one, for me.
From time to time I am forced to head into areas that I would rather not be in. When that happens, there is a possibility that I'll drop the P3AT in my pocket to go along with the Sig on my hip. When the possibility of a problem goes up, Murphey is more likely to be in the area. And, if you have a stoppage, the quickest way to get back into the fight is to have a second gun.
That said, I probably have a second gun on my person no more than 3-4 times a year. I make an effort to avoid bad places and an even bigger effort to avoid bad places at bad times.
I can understand someone not carrying one but I cannot understand somebody being against somebody carrying one. Remember, guns are machines, mechanical equipment like drills or saws, or car engines, they can fail at some point. Sometimes, like your car you cannot repair it, until you take it to a mechanic. I would hate have a "blown motor" in a gunfight/self defense situation. Just my .02.
Really depends where I'm going. I live just outside of a small city halfway between NYC and Philadelphia, a haven for drug gangs and their friends. There are a lot of shootings, home invasions, etc. in the city, but our little town has very little of this activity.
If I'm going to be in the city or going to Philly, or else if I'm carrying some cash, I will carry a back up, sometimes 2, usually a S&W Chief Special and an old Beretta 950 .25 auto.
FWIW, the only time I have had to pull a gun was in this town at about 1:30 in the afternoon, about 2 blocks from the police station.
He saw my old HiWay Patrolman and turned and ran away.
Mark
If I'm going to be in the city or going to Philly, or else if I'm carrying some cash, I will carry a back up, sometimes 2, usually a S&W Chief Special and an old Beretta 950 .25 auto.
Mark
Can I ask what you do for a living? Is this "carrying cash" job related where you're carrying large $$$ amounts and a target for robbery?
If not, I've said it once before and I'll say it again - carrying 3 guns at once ("I will carry a backup, sometimes 2") is overkill - no pun intended. If you're going into an area that is dangerous enough that you feel you truly need 3 guns on you, then you should only be going into that area for darn good reasons- your job, family, etc..
What type of scenario do you envision that you would have 2 gun malfunctions, lose 2 of your guns, or go through 2 guns' worth of ammo so that you'd need that third gun????:blink:
Ellerbir -- don't believe Ohio restricts us to just one carry piece.
As to the poll question --
The Navy teaches a standard response:
"I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of absence of any nuclear device on or about any ship or aircraft of the US Navy."
Or words to that effect.
I give a similar reply to any question about what or how many I carry.
I have, but not because I needed two. I needed to be very discrete, so pocket carried my P3AT. Later when I wasn't going to be in such close quarters to people who might object, I added my XD. Since I had no good place to store the P3AT, I left it in my pocket.
"As of December 1, 1995, certain residents of North Carolina may be eligible to obtain a permit which would allow them to carry a concealed handgun under certain conditions. No other weapons can be carried concealed pursuant to such permit."
The important word here is "a concealed handgun", not "handguns" or a backup gun and a primary gun, or anything else you can fit into the back of your pants. "No other weapons can be carried concealed" again clearly states no other weapons, meaning backup guns.
The law appears to be very clear in North Carolina - 1 concealed gun per permit holder.
"As of December 1, 1995, certain residents of North Carolina may be eligible to obtain a permit which would allow them to carry a concealed handgun under certain conditions. No other weapons can be carried concealed pursuant to such permit."
The important word here is "a concealed handgun", not "handguns" or a backup gun and a primary gun, or anything else you can fit into the back of your pants. "No other weapons can be carried concealed" again clearly states no other weapons, meaning backup guns.
The law appears to be very clear in North Carolina - 1 concealed gun per permit holder.
Not a point of disagreement, merely another possible interpretation...
I would normally take "no other weapons can be carried concealed.." to mean no shotguns, railguns, rifles, etc. especially since the permit specifies "handguns" not firearms or simply "guns". Yes, I understand that it is very difficult to conceal a rifle.
Usually, if the intent were to limit it to one handgun at a time, it would explicitly state, "no more than one handgun at any time." or some such...
If it is a real concern, I would consult the Attorney General...
There is no law in Florida prohibiting carry of multiple firearms, concealed or otherwise, provided the firearms carried and the mode of carry are legal.
I see many people here say they couldn't possibly fathom ever needing more than what they carry with their one gun on a day to day basis. And sometimes even those hold only 5 rounds.
I can't possibly fathom ever needing a gun at all in MY day to day happenings....
And yet here we all are, carrying a gun for just that one occasion when we might possibly need one.
And if that's the case, the BUG is only overkill if you don't need it! Right?
In my sleepy rural town of only 3,000 I usually only carry one high capacity gun.
(however, a lot of those 3,000 residents are into meth use, sales or manufacturing as well as burglery and other stuff. To my knowledge none of them, including my neighbors know I am part of the sheriff's tactical team either. But we do bust people who have scanners and a few of them have had maps that have LEO's personal residences marked on them, so it pays to be careful)
If I go elsewhere, I carry two with maybe a third in the car.
I figure the odds of me ever needing one gun is infintesimal, but knowing how Mr. Murphy is Never far away... The one and only time I need a gun, will probably be the time when I wished I had a second gun.
Since it has never been an issue of comfort or ability to conceal two guns for me, then I figure what's the problem? I suppose if it was a problem concealing two, I probably would rethink it.
I may not win the fight... But it won't ever be because I was short sighted and could never think of a reason why one gun could fail me.
It's kind of like the guy who thinks he will only be attacked by one person. Never heard of a gang of 4 pulling off an armed robbery or mugging before.
I don't mind people who only carry one gun and don't harrang anyone that does. One is better than none and I usually only carry one at home. But two is better than one! Especially when you consider it's a man made tool with several moving parts, springs and linkages.
I do know a lot of cops who only carry one... but, these days, I know 5 who have just recently started carrying a P3AT as a second gun, and in my area, that is a significant increase in LEO's feeling they need a BUG.
i guess it would depend where i was going. if i were going to the local mall, a BUG would be overkill. i'll be in the armpit of hell known as Philadelphia this week, so i'll wish i had 5 BUGs.
I carry for self defense not a firefight. I have said this before on these forums but carrying 2 guns + dozens of rounds of backup ammo seems like extreme overkill (but thats just MY opinion). If there is ever a situation where I use my backup ammo (5shots for my jframe or 16 for my xd) I have already failed horribly with my SA. I can understand LEOs wearing a bug or even wearing one if you frequently visit a really bad neighborhood, but most shooting incidents happen so quickly I can't imagine a need for 50+ rounds of back up ammo and 2 or 3 guns.
Well, to each his own. What happens if you get your one and only gun taken away from you? What happens if it malfunctions? Many times, going to the BUG is MUCH faster than trying to clear a malfunction and if you gun is taken away, you're completely SOL at that point... Remember some guns loaded are actually lighter than a fully loaded service sized pistol's magazine. Think KT P32 or P3AT.
It's not always about your SA. You could be caught away from home/shelter in the midst of something larger, like a Katrina situation or the LA/Rodney King riots.
One other point to be noted as far as a secondary gun: it makes it very easy to arm a 'partner' should they not be armed or have lost possession of thiers. My wife doesnt carry her pistol often on her person, but can handle a Glock platform well. So, if need be, I can hand her my g26, and I will make do with my K/T.
Dont qoute me on this, but I think the civilian that assisted in the police in stopping the Water Tower Sniper was armed with bug provided by an officer. As cc-ers, we're not cops, but the same principle applies.
Yes, I am a civillian, and yes I carry a BUG. In fact there are times that I will carry a Glock 19 or 26, S&W638, and or a NAA .32 Gaurdian. Is this overkill? Yes, it is, but I would rather have more than one over having none at all. I have always followed the "if you feel you need to carry a gun. then carry two."
No personal attacks or this thread will get shut down
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