Bedside 🔫 Options

[-D.M.-]

Interesting conversation/points.

Regarding the "firearm is usually seized and destroyed" bit - can someone with real world experience (LEO/etc) comment on this?

If a firearm is used in a legal home defense scenario, isn't returned to homeowner, or is there some sort of weird protocol that demands the weapon is destroyed?

I always expected the firearm would be confiscated for some time, but returned to owner pending clearance of any case.

I've anecdotally heard both that the firearm was returned many years later (more common), and that because it was used to kill someone (because...well) it must be destroyed. I think it depends on you city, town, county or municipality.

I err on the side of caution whenever possible, and assume I'll never see the gun, rifle or shotgun again if I need to use it.

Somewhat tangentially, I've heard that when when the firearm is returned, it's in horrible condition. Rust, scratches, damage, mishandling, etc.

 

[OpusX]

Interesting conversation/points.

Regarding the "firearm is usually seized and destroyed" bit - can someone with real world experience (LEO/etc) comment on this?

If a firearm is used in a legal home defense scenario, isn't returned to homeowner, or is there some sort of weird protocol that demands the weapon is destroyed?

I always expected the firearm would be confiscated for some time, but returned to owner pending clearance of any case.

Every jurisdiction has its own rules and protocol for home defense shootings. Same goes for the DA, but considering we live in California, it's almost guaranteed that the gun will be seized as evidence while the police/court figure out whether or not the shooting was justified, etc. It could only be a matter of months, or it could take years, and some counties have limits on the number of years they'll hold something, after which the firearm is destroyed.

One thing is for sure though, most police aren't really concerned with the condition of your gun, and will drop, finger-F-, scratch, ding, and leave in a moldy evidence closet without a second thought about how much you paid for it, so even if you do get it back, it could be in complete dog condition. That's why it's generally a good rule of thumb to pick a gun you can handle well, but wouldn't be too remiss to lose or have damaged should you be forced to surrender it.

 

[Eatdirt]

Bedside Options / Next to the bed..

110 Lb . Belgium Mal / Sheppard mix
His sleeping pad is in front of the gunsafe.....

Meanest bark you ever heard....
Then my backup is Glock 21 ...

 

[Tere_Hanges]

If I ever had to use a firearm to save my life or someone else's, I'd just be relieved that we are alive and that I'm not facing serious legal consequences. The last thing I'd worry about is if I'm going to get my gun back. I wouldn't care if I ever got that gun back, it served its purpose. That would be the least of my worries at that point.

 

[OpusX]

If I ever had to use a firearm to save my life or someone else's, I'd just be relieved that we are alive and that I'm not facing serious legal consequences. The last thing I'd worry about is if I'm going to get my gun back. I wouldn't care if I ever got that gun back, it served its purpose. That would be the least of my worries at that point.

It's your money, so if you're fine with using your best stuff to defend your home, more power to you. I'm just speaking as someone who's dealt with numerous cases of police seizure and recovery, and the aftermath of retrieval is usually a gigantic PITA for the owner. Frankly, I'll plug your ass with a stock G17 or Maverick 88 same as I will my 2011s and auto-shotties, so if I can protect my investments as much as possible, I'm gonna try to do it. It's less about the gun itself, and more about what you're comfortable with and can handle well.

 

[GeeQ87]

Bedside Options / Next to the bed..

110 Lb . Belgium Mal / Sheppard mix
His sleeping pad is in front of the gunsafe.....

Meanest bark you ever heard....
Then my backup is Glock 21 ...

Welcome

 

[Tere_Hanges]

It's your money, so if you're fine with using your best stuff to defend your home, more power to you. I'm just speaking as someone who's dealt with numerous cases of police seizure and recovery, and the aftermath of retrieval is usually a gigantic PITA for the owner. Frankly, I'll plug your ass with a stock G17 or Maverick 88 same as I will my 2011s and auto-shotties, so if I can protect my investments as much as possible, I'm gonna try to do it. It's less about the gun itself, and more about what you're comfortable with and can handle well.

People should use what is best to maximize their skills and abilities. For me, that's a Glock 9mm, 40 and/or 45. That's what works for me. But what works for me may not work for others.

I'm just saying, If I ever had to use a gun for self-defense I'm just going to be thankful to be alive and not in jail. I won't give a rat's backside if I ever get my gun back. It did what it was supposed to when it mattered. And that's all that matters. And I feel that way about any gun I had to use. My life is worth more than any gun.

Another thing is that people can fret and micro-analyze which gun they should use based on the worry about getting an expensive gun back after using it. But, you better make sure you don't break the law using it. Because it might be kind of a moot point, not to use an expensive hard-to-replace gun, if you have to sell all your guns and other property to pay for legal expenses. People need to keep their eyes on the big picture. And the big picture is you were in such a bad situation that you had to use the last resort, a gun, to save your life, when no other options were possible. It's the most serious situation you can imagine. Worrying about getting your gun back afterward, just doesn't seem very serious.

 

[Joker67]

Just my 2 cents...

I wouldn't put those kinds of statements into a (semi)public forum. Always consider that posts like these can/will/may be used as "exhibit A" at any trial.

F- all that if you don’t have kids. My bedside gun is in a holster with one in the chamber. My P-01 has a 15 round mag with a plus 2 extension bringing it to 18. During Freedom Week , people were unloading plus 2’s. The holster is safer to grab and if I’m groggy , I have to go through the motions of withdrawing it from the holster. If I’m being home invaded by and have to shoot someone , the last thing I am concerned about is the cops asking how I stored my gun. I’ll just say I got it from the safe. I’m not spreading my cheeks to comply.

Just my 2 cents...

I wouldn't put those kinds of statements into a (semi)public forum. Always consider that posts like these can/will/may be used as "exhibit A" at any trial.

So my legally bought magazine in my legally possessed , stock pistol is going to get me in trouble? During Freedom week all mags , mag parts and alterations ( hole drilling) to possessed mags were legal.

Are you implying that the CA DOj is going to trace my IP and use this post as evidence to get a search warrant ? Or- are you implying in the case of a home invasion situation , the cops are going to ask for all my social media passwords, seize my electronic devices to go through all my posts?

Has this ever happened ? Can anyone find a single example of someone in a self defense shooting having access to their social media requested and a search warrant issued?

Because that sounds crazy.

The mag issue already failed in court.

FWIW , I never have and never will post anything gun related using my real name on line.

 

[dennij]

glock 23, tlr 7, winchester sxt

 

[OpusX]

People should use what is best to maximize their skills and abilities. For me, that's a Glock 9mm, 40 and/or 45. That's what works for me. But what works for me may not work for others.

I'm just saying, If I ever had to use a gun for self-defense I'm just going to be thankful to be alive and not in jail. I won't give a rat's backside if I ever get my gun back. It did what it was supposed to when it mattered. And that's all that matters. And I feel that way about any gun I had to use. My life is worth more than any gun.

Another thing is that people can fret and micro-analyze which gun they should use based on the worry about getting an expensive gun back after using it. But, you better make sure you don't break the law using it. Because it might be kind of a moot point, not to use an expensive hard-to-replace gun, if you have to sell all your guns and other property to pay for legal expenses. People need to keep their eyes on the big picture. And the big picture is you were in such a bad situation that you had to use the last resort, a gun, to save your life, when no other options were possible. It's the most serious situation you can imagine. Worrying about getting your gun back afterward, just doesn't seem very serious.

I think we're getting lost in the weeds here. Nobody is arguing that our guns are worth more than our lives, or that we're gonna fret over the cost of a particular firearm in the heat of a self-defense situation. The main takeaway is to use whatever you're comfortable with; I think we can all agree on that.

All we're saying is that many people don't always consider the fact that their firearm is probably gonna get seized by police if they actually have to use it, so if it's something they really like, has sentimental value, or just cost too damned much to lose, they might consider using something more basic. That's it.

When you have as much time and money invested into your collection as some, wanting to maintain that investment is absolutely a serious concern.

 

[GeeQ87]

I think we're getting lost in the weeds here. Nobody is arguing that our guns are worth more than our lives, or that we're gonna fret over the cost of a particular firearm in the heat of a self-defense situation. The main takeaway is to use whatever you're comfortable with; I think we can all agree on that.

All we're saying is that many people don't always consider the fact that their firearm is probably gonna get seized by police if they actually have to use it, so if it's something they really like, has sentimental value, or just cost too damned much to lose, they might consider using something more basic. That's it.

When you have as much time and money invested into your collection as some, wanting to maintain that investment is absolutely a serious concern.

I agree. First, I too wouldn’t have my most expensive guns at bedside unless they’re all I had. If it came down to it, they can keep my gun lol as long as no one in my home is injured.

The firearm doesn’t really matter as long as the person KNOWS their gun and trains with it, occasionally fires defense ammo to make sure it continues to cycle well

 

[GeeQ87]

So my legally bought magazine in my legally possessed , stock pistol is going to get me in trouble? During Freedom week all mags , mag parts and alterations ( hole drilling) to possessed mags were legal.

Are you implying that the CA DOj is going to trace my IP and use this post as evidence to get a search warrant ? Or- are you implying in the case of a home invasion situation , the cops are going to ask for all my social media passwords, seize my electronic devices to go through all my posts?

Has this ever happened ? Can anyone find a single example of someone in a self defense shooting having access to their social media requested and a search warrant issued?

Because that sounds crazy.

The mag issue already failed in court.

FWIW , I never have and never will post anything gun related using my real name on line.

Like it or not, you’re not like the average gun owner considering you have freedom week mags. They may use that fact to look deeper into you lol i would ALWAYS assume, considering how California gun laws are, that they WILL look through your social media. This way they get a better understanding of how quick and willing you are to using your firearm to take a life.

i could be way off but better careful than sorry lol

 

[DuckDawg22]

Glock 21 with a streamlight and night sights as well. Freedom Week mags are in the bug out bag, but I want that pistol as CA compliant as possible in case it's an exhibit in front of a jury. I know the onus is on the DA to prove the freedom week mags weren't obtained legally, but why open up that can of worms?

 

[Rickvs]

There is an 85 pound Labradoodle with a very "big dog bark" who is very protective at the foot of our bed (he can smell a coyote 50 yards away at our back fence and wake up if the window is open) and a very alert Jack Russell terrorist on the bed. By the side of the bed is a 12 GA Chinese clone of a Win 97 riot gun and in the night stand is a CZ 75B with nightsights along with a couple flashlights.

 

[strongfing]

chihuahua as the advanced alert system, p226 as the partner

 

[GeeQ87]

chihuahua as the advanced alert system, p226 as the partner

You have top flight security lol

 

[ChestnutBleach]

Next to my bed? Phfftt.....a number of cordless hole punchers [mostly Glocks] staged around the house! Glocks cause (1) simple to operate [no safety to deactivate], (2) they go bang every time and, as mentioned, (3) I'm out a relatively inexpensive gun in the event it's needed and gets confiscated by the state.

 

[Colt1911]

What I want...see photo. What I have - see username