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Backup Guns

4744 Views 30 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Anonymous
As I have read this and other forums I realize that their are a many of you that carry a backup gun. I have always tried to weigh the probability (risk) of meeting up with a deadly threat vs. being prepared. Maybe I've been lucky my whole life but in 48 years, the worst threat I've run into was when I got into playground fist fight in the 6th grade. (Nobody tells me that my girl friend has fleas!)

I am not a statistician but if I understand some of gun stats I've heard I have to ask myself these questions:

1) What do I think is the chance that I will have to actually use my gun to stop a deadly threat?

2) Of that percentage what percentage do I have to actually fire? I've heard that about 90% of the time just producing a gun will scare the BG away.

3) Of that percent what is the percentage that you will have to fire more rounds than are in your magazine. I've read that rarely is more that 3.

4) Also of the percentage in 2) What is the percentage of someone taking your primary gun away and you having enough time to get to your BUG before he uses it against you?

If you take the percent of the percent of the percent you mentally get a pretty small number or risk factor. I probably have a greater chance of being trampled in a stampede of purple Hippos on State Street but like I said before, I am not a statistician. Personally I don't carry a backup gun but as usual others have their own reasons. My thinking is something down the line of if I am in an area that I need more that one gun then I probably shouldn't be in that area. I think that LEO have a totally different needs than CCW citizens and so in my mind have a greater need for a BUG. Also you may work or live in an area that has greater risk than the general public.

What are other's views and reasons for carrying or not carrying a BUG?

BTW - Many of you might be traveling tomorrow and over the weekend. I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and hope that you have a safe year in which you never need to use your gun except for the sheer fun of shooting.
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James said:
You might ask, "Why even carry?"

Because I can!
Amen Brother!!!

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GeneticsDave said:
I don't understand what this is supposed to mean. What if a group of gang-bangers (8-12) attacks you in a parking lot. Are you saying that you could protect yourself with only 6-15 bullets?
90% of the time if you quickly eliminate the biggest and badest, the leader in a gruesome manner, the rest of the pack will run.

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Ruger Collector said:
90% of the time if you quickly eliminate the biggest and badest, the leader in a gruesome manner, the rest of the pack will run.
GeneticsDave said:
Oh, OK. Hopefully that works.
You Sir, underestimate the cowardice of gang members, and most criminals in general.. Let's step out of the hypothetical and look at some REAL recent events...

Son and grandson save Ken from armed home invasion thugs. One intruder pronounced dead at the scene. Three others arrested.

An undercover deputy shot and wounded one of two would-be robbers who tried to hold him up at gunpoint Monday evening in a suburban West Palm Beach apartment complex, Palm Beach County sheriff's spokesman Pete Palenzuela said.

One gang member killed in West Valley City home invasion. Two others on the run.

Deputies were told five black men, wearing red hats and shirts (bloods gang colors) and carrying guns, came to the small grocery store, but left without any money after the owner brandished a gun.

A man in Orange County grabbed a shotgun and shot and killed one of three home invaders...

Police are continuing to search for a robbery suspect who fled after an off-duty reserve Harris County deputy constable shot and killed his alleged accomplice...

ST. LOUIS - One of four home invasion suspects shot and killed by resident...

Home Invaders No Match For BB Gun-Toting Dad - Intruders Wield AK-47, Grab Girl By Her Hair

63-year-old Carthage woman foils burglary attempt

I'm not against carrying reloads or a BUG, I carry both frequently, but the odds of needing either, are much slimmer than the odds of needing your gun in the first place.

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Welcome back bane! How was your trip? Any airport hassles with your gun?

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