Earlier this morning I was talking with a coworker about my change of heart in what pistol I will buy next- initially, it was a bare-bones full-size pistol, in 9mm, for a scant $400. For $250 more, I can get the top-level model, which is the same base pistol with an FDE finish, improved flat-face trigger, flared mag well and tactical magazine (has the funky smooth metal extension) as well as an optics plate and a threaded barrel, complete with thread protector.
His immediate response was "You can't carry that."
To which I said, "Well I plan to keep carrying my current compact pistol, but why not?"
He claimed that because it was modified - in his mind, the upgraded trigger and suppressor-ready threaded barrel make the gun "modified", even though these are factory features, advertised on the manufacturer's website- it could cause me great legal trouble in the event I had to use it to save my life or a family member's.
Now, I can't imagine carrying this (slightly) larger pistol in an IWB holster in the upcoming summer months day after day, but I might eventually want to pack it depending on the circumstances.
My coworker claims to have taken several CCW classes, and previously told me that he always urges people not to carry "modified guns" because if you must use them in a justifiable situation and are called into court, a DA or other entity could claim that you personally selected upgraded or modified accessories or features to make the gun more lethal, or to "make killing someone easier", in a manner of speaking.
Now I'm just plain curious what everyone else thinks. In my mind, the fact that these are all factory mods simply means it's a stock pistol? Purchased just as-is? I could see myself making the argument that I originally bought this pistol for target/sport shooting, but it makes an excellent defense pistol as well, and I carry it on occasion...if you take the responsibility to carry, shouldn't you carry a dependable, capable handgun? I currently log training with my compact pistol mainly for the purpose of tracking my improvement- but also for showing just how often I train with it, in case I need to prove my justifiable use of deadly force to someone someday. I plan on keeping the same log of training with this full-size pistol as well...
FWIW, we live and work in central Pennsylvania, NOT California (LOL)
His immediate response was "You can't carry that."
To which I said, "Well I plan to keep carrying my current compact pistol, but why not?"
He claimed that because it was modified - in his mind, the upgraded trigger and suppressor-ready threaded barrel make the gun "modified", even though these are factory features, advertised on the manufacturer's website- it could cause me great legal trouble in the event I had to use it to save my life or a family member's.
Now, I can't imagine carrying this (slightly) larger pistol in an IWB holster in the upcoming summer months day after day, but I might eventually want to pack it depending on the circumstances.
My coworker claims to have taken several CCW classes, and previously told me that he always urges people not to carry "modified guns" because if you must use them in a justifiable situation and are called into court, a DA or other entity could claim that you personally selected upgraded or modified accessories or features to make the gun more lethal, or to "make killing someone easier", in a manner of speaking.
Now I'm just plain curious what everyone else thinks. In my mind, the fact that these are all factory mods simply means it's a stock pistol? Purchased just as-is? I could see myself making the argument that I originally bought this pistol for target/sport shooting, but it makes an excellent defense pistol as well, and I carry it on occasion...if you take the responsibility to carry, shouldn't you carry a dependable, capable handgun? I currently log training with my compact pistol mainly for the purpose of tracking my improvement- but also for showing just how often I train with it, in case I need to prove my justifiable use of deadly force to someone someday. I plan on keeping the same log of training with this full-size pistol as well...
FWIW, we live and work in central Pennsylvania, NOT California (LOL)