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Good article discussing the pros and cons for a off duty leo. In reality take away the job aspect and it's a good article for any chl holder as well. The second article backs up the first and the bullet points are a must read for everybody in here.

Carrying a weapon off duty has been a lively topic of discussion for decades. As with most issues, being armed 24/7 has its pros and cons. However, if we look at this topic objectively, particularly, from a standpoint of risk and reward, I think most of us can agree that a police officer should carry their weapon while off duty.

http://www.officer.com/article/11221281 ... -yes-or-no

http://www.officer.com/article/10455697/off-duty-cop

texanjoker wrote:Good article discussing the pros and cons for a off duty leo. In reality take away the job aspect and it's a good article for any chl holder as well. The second article backs up the first and the bullet points are a must read for everybody in here.

Carrying a weapon off duty has been a lively topic of discussion for decades. As with most issues, being armed 24/7 has its pros and cons. However, if we look at this topic objectively, particularly, from a standpoint of risk and reward, I think most of us can agree that a police officer should carry their weapon while off duty.

http://www.officer.com/article/11221281 ... -yes-or-no

http://www.officer.com/article/10455697/off-duty-cop

Both are excellent and thoughtful articles. Thanks very much for sharing them.

The basic thought process most certainly applies to CHL carry as well.

I had my first insight into the pluses and minuses of off duty carry when, at the end of my first shift on the day I was sworn in, I left my just purchased off duty gun in my apartment and walked into my local Bronx, New York deli a couple of minutes after the 3 man holdup team had left. The folks in the store were still shaking. In those days, if the BG's found a police shield on you when they got your wallet, you were dead meat. I was carrying my shield.

Hmmm.

I might not be the quickest guy around, but I'm not the slowest either. That was the last time I left the house unarmed unless I was going to the airport.

Even back then the mousegun concept didn't look like a good idea to me. My off duty carry guns were .357 magnum, 9mm and .45, although for a BUG I sometimes settled for a .38.

"The bottom line is that you don’t need your weapon until you need it. Can you predict when you will need it? No. Carry your weapon."

Well said!

Makes good sense to me. Always good to have it and not need it than to need to it an not have it. I have gotten so used to carrying mine that it is not that inconvenient. Unless I am wearing sweats or athletic shorts with just a drawstring.

Good articles. The concepts definitely apply to anyone carrying a gun. Thanks for posting.

•Carry your off-duty pistol and at least one reload. I said pistol for a reason, a five-shot revolver is not enough gun. Snubbies are great for back-up but not as your primary armament.

Who among this forum really agree with this?

rdcrags wrote:

•Carry your off-duty pistol and at least one reload. I said pistol for a reason, a five-shot revolver is not enough gun. Snubbies are great for back-up but not as your primary armament.

Who among this forum really agree with this?

For a CHL holder, a revolver may be a valid carry option. Personally, I carry a compact .45ACP with two reloads. You have to go with what is comforting. When the a problem arises you don't want to be thinking "I wish I had brought my _______."

rdcrags wrote:

•Carry your off-duty pistol and at least one reload. I said pistol for a reason, a five-shot revolver is not enough gun. Snubbies are great for back-up but not as your primary armament.

Who among this forum really agree with this?

I don't. I carried a 5 shot with a spare speed strip for years in certain attire...

texanjoker wrote:

rdcrags wrote:

•Carry your off-duty pistol and at least one reload. I said pistol for a reason, a five-shot revolver is not enough gun. Snubbies are great for back-up but not as your primary armament.

Who among this forum really agree with this?

I don't. I carried a 5 shot with a spare speed strip for years in certain attire...

And you should know. Thanks for the two articles... good reads. My LEO son carries a Glock 26 off-duty with no spare mag... to each his own.

rdcrags wrote:

•Carry your off-duty pistol and at least one reload. I said pistol for a reason, a five-shot revolver is not enough gun. Snubbies are great for back-up but not as your primary armament.

Who among this forum really agree with this?

I agree that is a best practice and one I adhere to.

With that said, I know there are competent folks who are comfortable with less.

I'm not similarly comfortable, but mine is just one opinion and I respect those who have given much thought to the matter and differ with me on that.

Good read! I am going to share with my mother. Personally I wish she would carry when off duty because I really do worry about her safety. Not because my Mom means the world to me or anything. I only got one mom but plenty of BG's out there.

Thanks texanjoker
Great articles to learn from!