CCW Modifications
Moderator: carlson1
-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 4:55 pm
CCW Modifications
I don't know if this subject has been discussed any where else. if so, please direct me to that and I'll hopefully get the answers.
Question: what is the general opinion in the legal arena of modifications made to a CCW? How what would a prosecuting attorney view modifications to my CCW?
Will those mods hurt my defense in court?
Question: what is the general opinion in the legal arena of modifications made to a CCW? How what would a prosecuting attorney view modifications to my CCW?
Will those mods hurt my defense in court?
Re: CCW Modifications
It has been discussed before, but been a long time. I think it will depend on the modification. Enhanced sights, lasers, better grips, etc that are commonly seen on a self-defense weapon these days should be a non-issue. Silencers/suppressors might be a different story as I am sure an overzealous prosecutor that was looking to make a case would try to paint you as a wanna-be 00 spy with a license to kill.feltoncorbett wrote:I don't know if this subject has been discussed any where else. if so, please direct me to that and I'll hopefully get the answers.
Question: what is the general opinion in the legal arena of modifications made to a CCW? How what would a prosecuting attorney view modifications to my CCW?
Will those mods hurt my defense in court?
Keith
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
- mojo84
- Senior Member
- Posts: 9045
- Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:07 pm
- Location: Boerne, TX (Kendall County)
Re: CCW Modifications
I too wonder this since I'd really like to remove the magazine disconnect in my HI-Power. Been reluctant to do it because of this concern.
Note: Me sharing a link and information published by others does not constitute my endorsement, agreement, disagreement, my opinion or publishing by me. If you do not like what is contained at a link I share, take it up with the author or publisher of the content.
Re: CCW Modifications
honestly i doubt the average officer much less prosecutor would even be aware that it was originally meant to be there.mojo84 wrote:I too wonder this since I'd really like to remove the magazine disconnect in my HI-Power. Been reluctant to do it because of this concern.
ive read elsewhere (might have been defensive carry forum) that there is no real legal reason to be worried that a modified trigger or a lightening of the slide, etc would be held against you. It doesn't enhance the prosecutors case when they have to prove the facts and intent beyond a reasonable doubt. and again, i would highly doubt any of them would even know the trigger pull was half a pound lighter or smoother.
-
- Banned
- Posts: 2064
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:19 am
- Location: Cedar Park Texas
Re: CCW Modifications
on the positive, its very hard to see how you would have a suppressor on a CCW...Keith B wrote:It has been discussed before, but been a long time. I think it will depend on the modification. Enhanced sights, lasers, better grips, etc that are commonly seen on a self-defense weapon these days should be a non-issue. Silencers/suppressors might be a different story as I am sure an overzealous prosecutor that was looking to make a case would try to paint you as a wanna-be 00 spy with a license to kill.feltoncorbett wrote:I don't know if this subject has been discussed any where else. if so, please direct me to that and I'll hopefully get the answers.
Question: what is the general opinion in the legal arena of modifications made to a CCW? How what would a prosecuting attorney view modifications to my CCW?
Will those mods hurt my defense in court?
Re: CCW Modifications
It would add some length to the fiream, but overall would not be that big if done on a subcompact. Silly, yes, but it could be concealed in a shoulder holster or IWB holster for someone who is tall.Cedar Park Dad wrote:on the positive, its very hard to see how you would have a suppressor on a CCW...Keith B wrote:It has been discussed before, but been a long time. I think it will depend on the modification. Enhanced sights, lasers, better grips, etc that are commonly seen on a self-defense weapon these days should be a non-issue. Silencers/suppressors might be a different story as I am sure an overzealous prosecutor that was looking to make a case would try to paint you as a wanna-be 00 spy with a license to kill.feltoncorbett wrote:I don't know if this subject has been discussed any where else. if so, please direct me to that and I'll hopefully get the answers.
Question: what is the general opinion in the legal arena of modifications made to a CCW? How what would a prosecuting attorney view modifications to my CCW?
Will those mods hurt my defense in court?
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXP86A2xwW4[/video]
Keith
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
Re: CCW Modifications
I have a 3.5 lb trigger connecter on both my carry guns. I doubt anyone would even notice.
“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”
― Horace Mann
― Horace Mann
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1758
- Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:05 am
- Location: Free Republic of Texas
Re: CCW Modifications
possibly. Maybe in a country like NY or NJ.Will those mods hurt my defense in court?
Its not something I worry about here in Texas.
NRA Member
Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio Operator
Re: CCW Modifications
The modifications should help you in court. You can claim that because of the modifications the gun went off all by itself so it's the guns fault instead of yours. Then you can sue the manufacturer of the parts used in the modification. This is how America works now after all.
Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.
John Wayne
NRA Lifetime member
John Wayne
NRA Lifetime member
Re: CCW Modifications
The only way I think it could hurt is if you lightened your trigger, and then negligently fired it on accident.
If it was a good shoot, but you told police that you accidentally pulled the trigger, you may be on the hook.
If it was a bad shoot, it would potentially hurt your case if prosecutors learned that you modified the trigger to lighten it. This would require you telling them you lightened it, or they would have to test the trigger pull themselves, which I find unlikely they would do on every case.
Moral of the story: Don't tell the cops anything (other than you are the victim and where the evidence is) until you speak with your lawyer. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire.
If it was a good shoot, but you told police that you accidentally pulled the trigger, you may be on the hook.
If it was a bad shoot, it would potentially hurt your case if prosecutors learned that you modified the trigger to lighten it. This would require you telling them you lightened it, or they would have to test the trigger pull themselves, which I find unlikely they would do on every case.
Moral of the story: Don't tell the cops anything (other than you are the victim and where the evidence is) until you speak with your lawyer. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire.
Keep calm and carry.
Licensing (n.) - When government takes away your right to do something and sells it back to you.
Licensing (n.) - When government takes away your right to do something and sells it back to you.
Re: CCW Modifications
As long as your modification didn't look like this, you should be OK:

Or this:


Or this:

Your best option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
When those fail, aim for center mass.
www.HoustonLTC.com Texas LTC Instructor | www.Texas3006.com Moderator | Tennessee Squire | Armored Cavalry
When those fail, aim for center mass.
www.HoustonLTC.com Texas LTC Instructor | www.Texas3006.com Moderator | Tennessee Squire | Armored Cavalry