When I was working uniformed patrol, I always carried 2 guns; 3 when I was working alone at night back when revolvers were the norm. This was in the south-end of Los Angeles. As a detective I continued to carry 2 handguns, except when I was buying narcotics. I then stuffed a J-frame into my pants pocket (no holster), with a cheap pocket knife somewhere on me. Off-duty I never carried two guns; seemed kind of unnecessary. The exception was during the LA riots; I had a .45 and 6 extra loaded magazines, plus boots and other gear in case I had to walk home through the ghetto. I only carry a J-frame now in retirement, same as when I was off-duty before retirement. My apologies to some, but 2 (or more) guns in "normal" citizen carry does seem a little bit of an over-reaction. I've read threads here (and other forums) where the OP carried 2 guns, including something BIG (.44 or .45), 4-5 extra mags, a knife or two, gas, flashlight, extra batteries, back-up gun, more extra ammo for the back-up and a hardened scowl guaranteed to scare babies and widows. My experience is that bad guys don't mess with someone they think might fight back or are armed, which is why gas stations and fast-food joints around police stations are pretty safe (might be an off-duty cop in there filling up or getting something for the ride home). Unlike a uniformed cop, an off-duty copper or a citizen carrying concealed already has the tactical advantage (unless you're an OC Kool-Aid drinker). If you need that much hardware, where the hell are you going? Maybe you should stay home. I only got into two off-duty incidents in 24 years. I didn't go drinking after work and didn't cruise the dark side of town; I went straight home to the ball-and-chain and brats. I think there are exceptions; someone that's a landlord in the bad part of town (I knew one; he carried two guns) or maybe a shop owner in the ghetto. One jewelry store owner in Hollywood I knew had several guns stashed in his store and carried two on his person. For most of us that's fantasyland. Not being critical here, just reminding most that engaging in a little fantasy is fine, but it IS fantasy. It's fun and beneficial at times because situational thinking may cut the "lag time" if something DOES happen. On the other end of the pendulum I knew cops who didn't carry at all off-duty. I thought that was stupid. What's appropriate for you? Not my place to dictate...but I will say that what your plan is during an incident is far more important than what brand of flashlight you carry, or what type of holster you have for your back-up gun. What's your situational awareness upon approach to a potentially risky location? What is your tactical plan AFTER you draw and fire? Remember that someone will ALWAYS be watching or listening...rehearse what you will say to a possible suspect ("Please, I really don't want any trouble" sounds way better coming from a witness than "get lost, asswipe"). This stuff, though boring, is more important than the number of guns, ammo and accessories you have on. I hope I haven't offended anyone; guns are cool and talking about them is why we're all here. My carry choices were made based on what more experienced coppers I worked with had, what I found worked for ME after carrying different guns daily and what I perceived the potential threat to be. It's all a trade-off. I realize I'm relying on past experience and to some here that's not important, but my cop and combat time is all I have. 24 years LE and 2 recent combat tours should count for something. We face new situations based on our experience; training is experience. I'm not deriding anyone for carrying 3 or more guns when they run errands to the Auto Zone or have lunch at Denny's; I just think that it's USUALLY unnecessary. But if you want to go out with enough hardware and ammo to equip a rifle squad, that's fine with me.
Bob
