I watched a video on youtube by Paul Harrell about carrying BUGs, the pros and cons and so forth. But at 9:30 he says two things about BUGS that I think one might want to think about before carrying one:

1) The extra scrutiny from LE and the Justice System for carrying a BUG

2) It may actually be illegal, or a gray area in your state, to carry a BUG.

Anyway if you don't want to watch it from the beginning, start at about 9:30 into the video to get to the meat of his two points above.

I trust the Sigforum on this one, lots of good wisdom is on tap for this subject I believe, both from those who do and don't carry BUGs, and also from our lawyerly bretheren:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXtzu0bJmb8

So what say you ?

If you are legal to carry concealed, I don't see why you can't carry 3 if desired?

It may, in fact, be illegal in some areas. As far as "extra scrutiny" goes, KY allows just about any weapon to be carry concealed with the permit, specifically including switchblades, numchuks, daggers and clubs. I doubt if a second, third, fourth or fifth gun would cause a stir. Of course, there's not a lot of violent crime here, in part due to the liberal concealed carry laws.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
I watched a video on youtube by Paul Harrell about carrying BUGs, the pros and cons and so forth. But at 9:30 he says two things about BUGS that I think one might want to think about before carrying one:

1) The extra scrutiny from LE and the Justice System for carrying a BUG

2) It may actually be illegal, or a gray area in your state, to carry a BUG.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXtzu0bJmb8

So what say you ?

2) should be easy, look it up for your state. If the usual sources don't have the scoop a chat with a friendly cop or knowledgealbe lawyer should get you on the road to legal.

1) No body wants to get scrutened much less extra scrutened. But if you think you need it, then as Ayoob would say (maybe, I'm not him) anticipate the attack and prepare your defense. Get your mind and mouth in synch before the question gets asked. If the prospect of getting exta screwed,excuse me, scrutened is too much then reconsider if you need it, if you need it see above.

My personal choice is to always have one on me and always have another locked in the truck (220) or immediately accessible at home (870), but I don't carry a back-up on me.

there are many more reasons to carry than there are not to carry ,
what you do will most likely cause way more trouble than what you have on you .

They tried to make that the law in IL when they finally got forced to allow Concealed Carry. No BUG, not even spare mags or speed loaders for your primary. The law got so ridiculous and expensive that I gave up on it, so I don't know how it ended up, but yes, it's possible that a BUG would not be allowed.

I haven't seen the video yet, but I would agree that those are a couple of concerns to consider if carrying a BUG. I don't normally carry a BUG, but have in the past. As far as addressing those concerns...

1. How often is it recommended for LEOs to carry a back-up gun?

On the non-LE side, one can refer to Massad Ayoob's advice regarding the subject. One question he suggests posing is to ask how many people would go on a cross-country drive without a spare tire? If you can articulate a valid reason for carrying a BUG, that can go a long way towards mitigating any issues.

Similarly, depending on jurisdiction, authorities may not look positively on non-LE carrying guns for self-protection, with or without a BUG, even if legal. Another item to consider.

2. As always, know your state and local laws, as well as the laws of anywhere you may travel. FYI, NM is the only state I'm aware of that prohibits carrying a BUG.

Just my opinion.

My state is pretty sane when it comes to gun laws. I don't think his two points pertain to my state. But I am going to look into it

his assertion that 40 out of 50 don't allow it seems wrong to me. He could have cited one case or state law that does not allow for 2 guns.

Is this guy legit?

40 states? I call BS.

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:
Is this guy legit?

40 states? I call BS.

Based on what ? Is a BUG legal in your state ?

henryarn and wishfull, I had never heard those points by Mass, I'm gonna look that up. Good points when I think about it.

Also to be fair, this Paul Harrell was involved in a SD justifiable homicide protecting his wife from a guy running her down with a pickup, so there's that. He did what he had to do and delt with it, and feels, probably justifiably so, that the DA and police tried to make him out as the BG, even the while knowing he was justified, according to him. I tend to believe him. Lots of areas of the country don't "believe" in SD justifiable homicide. Why ever the hell not I may never understand.

we've had folks in this state try to maintain you can't carry a backup because it's a "Concealed handgun permit", not a "handguns" permit. Doh.

quote:

Originally posted by zoom6zoom:
we've had folks in this state try to maintain you can't carry a backup because it's a "Concealed handgun permit", not a "handguns" permit. Doh.

That's kind of like saying it's illegal to open carry, even if open carry is legal in your state, because someone standing on the left side of you can't see the holstered pistol on your right hip.

Not legal in NM.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:

2) It may actually be illegal, or a gray area in your state, to carry a BUG.

So what say you ?

Well, I say that I'm not concerned even in the slightest on that point. Not in my state anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Not legal in NM.

Do you actually have a source to the law that prohibits a BUG? I'm curious how it's actually written.

I did carry a BUG daily as an LEO. I no longer carry one. Why? Because as an LEO I had a greater risk than an ordinary citizen. And the chances of losing my primary (or it becoming disabled) was greater too.
Now my risk level is greatly reduced so I don't feel the need for a BUG.
I know of no law that prohibits them.

Snipped from the Tennessee statute.

snip:
carry permit shall entitle the permit holder to carry any handgun or handguns the permit holder legally owns or possesses
Snip:

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Not legal in NM.

Do you actually have a source to the law that prohibits a BUG? I'm curious how it's actually written.

From the third page of the New Mexico page on handgunlaw.us (Thanks Gary!):

10.8.2.16 Terms and Conditions of License:
A. Carrying only handguns listed on license. No person shall carry a concealed handgun of a different category or higher caliber than is indicated on the license issued to that person by the department. A licensee shall only carry one (1) concealed handgun at any given time.

When Michigan went from a Concealed Pistols License to a Concealed Pistol License, we had some jurisdictions trying to say that you could only carry a single pistol. We got an AG letter stating it was singular OR multiple firearms.

Still pisses me off that I can carry my AK pistol and as many mags as I can hold up, openly or concealed but I can't carry a double edged knife, a dagger or a sap.