I was curious if the CG allows its LE personnel to carry a backup pistol? Having read different case studies where a backup would have either saved the officer's life, or would have made the situation a lot less dangerous, this issue is of interest to me. Since I cannot find another topic about it, I figured I would start one.
There are certainly different opinions on backup guns. USCS offered us a 5 or 6 shot revolver.
I personally never wore it. I hated the idea of having an extra gun on me to worry about when I got into wrestling matches with guys on boats. No members of our Warrant Entry Tactical Team ever wore them for that same reason. Not too many retentive holsters for a backup gun that goes on an ankle or somewhere in your back. Plus, those areas of your body are harder to protect when on the deck or ground fighting.
I ship out for bootcamp on tuesday, and I am really interested in doing LE work in the CG. I have taken different CJA courses in my college, and in my patrol procedures course, officer safety was stressed. A cop buddy of mine let me read a case study of an officer shooting, where the officer's dominant arm was shot at the elbow, and his weak hand had been cut up in a struggle for a knife in the same incident. He couldn't effectively draw his pistol with is weak hand due to the injury, but would have been able to draw a backup worn on the weak side if he had been carrying one. His life was saved by a cadet ride-along that unholstered the officer's weapon and handed it to him.
Now, as far as having one more weapon to worry about, I totally understand that. My main CJA instructor stressed the fact that as a LEO, you are bringing a bunch of weapons to any fight you get into, and that any one of them can be deadly if a perp gets a hold of it.
I simply wanted to know what the policy was on it. Thank you
I suggest you do what our special operations TUNA guys do ... they study videos of older MIAMI VICE episodes ... specifically where Sonny Crockett has to retrieve his backup weapon from the left inside ankle holster. Notice that Sonny never wore socks, so as to never entangle that weapon when needed.
He perfected the move that our top shooters emulate today, the "retrieve, drop, roll and shoot" ... Sonny rolls on the ground 360 while simultaneously shooting upside down and dodging incoming fire. Like I said, it's a great tactical move and only slightly hazardous on nonskid decks.
You are not supposed to talk about the TUNA Teams and the Crockett Defense!!!! OPSEC!!!! They have worked too hard on this to post it all over the web!!! Now they will have to move on to the Walker Texas Ranger Defense thanks to you!!!
Ok, all ridiculousness aside. First off I would be more concerned about making it to and through Cape May before I would worry about whether or not I need a "back up" pistol. The Coast Guard is a military organization and generally "back ups" are not something that military personnel use. In some cases you may have a primary and then a secondary weapon.
Lastly I would worry more about performing well within your Rate before worrying about collateral LE duties. You will be judged by how well you do your job by your superiors and peers more than being a super duper LE guru.
That is all understandable and reasonable. Please understand that my knowledge of the LE world is from the civilian side of things, not from a military view point. Because of it being a military force, I was curious to see what the policy was on backups for LE personnel. That has been answered, so I thank you.
In all reality, this was just a very minor question that I was curious about. I have three days until I ship to Cape May, and when I am not working out, I really have nothing to do.
21yrs: That actually makes a lot of sense. That, along with having to wrestle with non-compliant subjects and worrying about retaining the backup (which you mentioned in your previous reply) are all the reasons I would ever need to not carry one. Once I get back into civilian life (wow, I haven't even really started military life, and I'm already thinking about when I get out), and I am working a civi cop job, I may look into it more, but not until. Again, thanks for all the serious replies, and even the not-so-serious ones.
Jerry, as both a civilian L/E and CG, I'm surprised you don't carry at least three guns at all times ...
But really, I feel for the young man; it's a reasonable, serious question and I responded in a flippant manner. I apologize.
One thing you will want to practice before you come to Cape May, is shooting a weapon out of the hands of perpetrators ... that tactic seems to be problematic for a lot of recruits ...
Good question. Backups help, even though as Jerry says it's just one more gun to worry about. I carry mine attached to my vest under my uniform shirt, and I had zippers sewn into the front of my shirts and fake buttons put on. The closest I've come to shooting someone was with my backup when someone grabbed my duty weapon from behind. Since I have it mounted for a weak-side draw, I can retain my duty weapon with my strong hand and draw my backup with my weak hand. Guy let go before getting plugged. Still got Tasered though.
I understand what you are saying, but your M60 was the primary weapons and the M9 was a secondary weapon. Over here I have a BM M4gery as my primary a G17 as a secondary and a shorty AK as an oh scheit weapon. If I remember correctly the only personnel that can carry a long gun and handgun are TACLET types and those that carry a shotgun if the CO authorizes it.
Most of the MP's and security forces types here also carry (2) weapons M4/ M9.
quote:
Originally posted by JerryG: I had a "backup" as an Army MP.
While out in the field, if my M60 machinegun broke or ran dry, I had a M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol to back me up.
That is what the military would consider a "backup".
As Coasties, we had "backups" in Saudi Arabia. M9 Berettas on our pistol belts to augment either our M16/M203's or M870 shotguns.
Only CGIS is allowed concealed carry in the CG, so any "backup" would have to be overtly carried. Needless to say, no overt "backups".
If I remember correctly the only personnel that can carry a long gun and handgun are TACLET types and those that carry a shotgun if the CO authorizes it.
Negative, members from MSRT and MSST's carry dual weapons. Standard. And some times more.
Originally posted by BZ_2: [QUOTE]Originally posted by Infantry32: Jerry,
If I remember correctly the only personnel that can carry a long gun and handgun are TACLET types and those that carry a shotgun if the CO authorizes it.
Negative, members from MSRT and MSST's carry dual weapons. Standard. And some times more.
We carry long guns and hand guns during search warrants, arrest warrants, etc. But then again CGIS is a different critter...
As a Civilian LEO and being a smaller guy, there is no room to carry a second weapon with all the tools we are required to carry on a duty belt. I know some people that carry a back-up on and off duty. Its a pain the arse to carry one gun (off duty) and try to keep it from sticking out let alone two.
