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I had an interesting discussion with a friend the other day about custom 1911s and their use. Seems my friend thought I was completely nuts for carrying a fullhouse Burns Custom 1911 as my CCW piece. His argument was that if I ever had to use it -- even if I was legally justified in doing so -- I would have to give it up in the ensuing Police investigation. Further, it was likely this evidence would be held for years, if not permanently. Worse still, was the fact it was such a highly customized pistol and that fact would be used against me in court.
Well, I had read these arguments several times before in the gun rags and parroted in self-defense books. I have also considered these arguments at length and decided that even if this were so, I would still rather carry the gun I feel is the most reliable and capable in my hands. I have more than one decent gun, and while it would pain me to give up a favorite gun, I think the benefits of having that gun in a life threatening encouter far outweights the possible hardship of losing it -- no matter the length of time that would be for.
I have also reasoned my legal argument for the custom guns use would be the modification were to ensure safe, reliable and accurate employment of the weapon. Thereby ensuring my personal safety and that of any innocent bystanders. To me, the use of deadly force is either justified or not and the choice of using the best possible weapon for that task is a valid one.
How many of you feel the same way as I do? How many of you carry an alternate gun -- precisely because you fear having to give it up in just this sort of situation? For those LE professionals and criminal attorneys onboard; Does this perception jive with your real world experiences? In your judgement, is the custom gun really a negative in court?
DD
Well, I had read these arguments several times before in the gun rags and parroted in self-defense books. I have also considered these arguments at length and decided that even if this were so, I would still rather carry the gun I feel is the most reliable and capable in my hands. I have more than one decent gun, and while it would pain me to give up a favorite gun, I think the benefits of having that gun in a life threatening encouter far outweights the possible hardship of losing it -- no matter the length of time that would be for.
I have also reasoned my legal argument for the custom guns use would be the modification were to ensure safe, reliable and accurate employment of the weapon. Thereby ensuring my personal safety and that of any innocent bystanders. To me, the use of deadly force is either justified or not and the choice of using the best possible weapon for that task is a valid one.
How many of you feel the same way as I do? How many of you carry an alternate gun -- precisely because you fear having to give it up in just this sort of situation? For those LE professionals and criminal attorneys onboard; Does this perception jive with your real world experiences? In your judgement, is the custom gun really a negative in court?
DD