Modify a carry pistol? Yes or No?

[SMMAssociates]

I don't think I made myself clear, although some of the other guys have picked up on it....

Generally, a good shoot is a good shoot from a criminal standpoint. Really doesn't matter if the gun has been modified beyond all recognition, or you just put some white paint on the sights.

There are Prosecutors out there who'd like to hang us for that sort of thing, but it's rare, and usually the result of inept defense.

However, should a shooting get into Civil Court (they don't all do that), the other guy's Attorney will try to go after you for anything he thinks he can get away with. Your Lawyer should be able to deflect most of it, but it can still poison the minds of some jurors. Deeper pockets make this sort of thing more likely.

Which is why Mas is primarily talking to LEO's as many of them would be covered by their employer. "Scalping" an LEO who's not so covered may also be on the other guy's list....

Finally a story.... A friend of mine was called as an expert witness in a murder trial. (She's more than qualified, IMHO, and was accepted as such by both sides.) The Defendant's lawyer (and the Defendant) claimed that he couldn't have shot the Deceased because his gun had a broken firing pin, and didn't work....

Marlene looked over the gun, and then asked the Bailiff for a pencil. She cocked the gun (1911), pointed the barrel towards the ceiling, and put the pencil in the barrel. She fired, and the pencil headed upwards nicely.... So much for that defense.

Regards,

 

[C/O]

Changing sights, grips, etc. is ok, but I leave the internals alone on a carry gun.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Okay, I'll comment some on my "no" answer.
There are a lot of good answers here - starting on page 1. I admit that as a Texas resident, never mind Texas lawyer, this is NOT a big issue here. A righteous shoot, as they say, is a righteous shoot. What I worry about for most folks who are not in Texas or an equally "good" jurisdiction for self defense is that winning your case, whether criminal or civil, is expensive! It doesn't matter whether you use a Colt Single Action Army loaded with black power 45 Colt loads or a newly manufactured Colt 1911 tuned by Les Baer as long as you successfully defend yourself. But either of those two guns I just identified COULD, I emphasize COULD, MAYBE, raise more eyebrows than a box stock M&P 9mm or a Model 10. Keeping it simple keeps the questions simple, the answers simple, and the result inexpensive. I do not think there are any really solid cases out there where a modified gun used correctly caused a guilty verdict or a big dollar judgment but getting sued or arrested is expensive. You need that money for more guns and ammo. That's why I say no to modifications for self defense guns. Grips, sights, stuff like that, do not count; it's the sexy internal changes that raise eyebrows and can get a damn lawyer after you - and that's right, I am a lawyer and I don't like lawyers much, same as everyone else!

***GRJ***

 

[tat2dchad]

just out of curiousity... to any of the lawyers that posted in here..

what kind of lawyers are you?

 

[mickeyblueyes]

I personally use a 340pd, It is a defensive hand gun not a target shooter, the trigger is mostly irrelevant when it comes to being attacked unexpectedly. At 7 yards its point and squeeze. If the trigger is to light I am willing to bet the first shots going in the sidewalk. Target shooting is one thing ,but Manufactures spend millions on R&D to deliver the best
and safest product they can. I also believe some portion of the cost of
that gun is built in to pay for their hugh liability premiums and retainers.

Out of shear interest I have asked several gunsmiths to lighten the trigger pull of pocket type guns. They all refused citing liability as a concern.

 

[Doug M.]

just out of curiousity... to any of the lawyers that posted in here..

what kind of lawyers are you?

*
Old and cranky.

A couple do criminal defense; I used to be a prosecutor and now do consulting on various aspects of LE operational law with my co-author.

 

[Rainman48314]

Comment on the risk of being called to the stand

I recently read what I thought was a good article about mods to guns used in EDC. It was suggested that work you do yourself might need to be justified and could put you in the witness box. Once there, you might be cross examined and forced into statements you could avoid by excercising your right to not testify.

Looking for the lawyers her e to comment. Thanks.