Should You Carry More than One Concealed Handgun

This seemingly innocuous question is “loaded” with all kinds of considerations, local variations and requirements, personal priorities and preferences, specific legal ramifications, and penalties for civilian carriers among our 50 states and territories. And it really shouldn’t be so complex with the extreme variations, but the reality is that it is. While all fifty U.S. states have passed laws allowing qualified individuals to carry certain concealed firearms in public, blatant caveats of with or without a permit or license and very demanding and diverse specific requirements exist. Recognize that some states and territories call it a “license” while others call it a “permit.”

Constitutional Carry without a permit or license is NOT universally legal in the U.S. Concealed Carry requirements are different and change very frequently, so check with your state or jurisdiction for updates and the status.

Considerable State And Jurisdiction Variations

It is an understatement, but important, to reinforce that there is considerable variation in state and territory laws about even carrying one concealed gun, let alone the number and characteristics of guns you can conceal carry for self-defense.

As we know, there are still states and territories that, even with their concealed carry laws, do NOT issue them or make it very difficult to get one, solely at the discretion of local authorities. California and Delaware “May-Issue” permit or license to residents only and California does not recognize permit or license issued by other states.

California law requires all handguns to be registered there and you must show proof that “good cause” exists beyond general self-defense to justify the concealed carry permit for the gun, based on a 2016 federal appeals court ruling. For “good cause” proof, applicants should set forth a set of circumstances that distinguish the applicant from other members of the general public and causes him or her to be placed in harm’s way. Simply writing “self-defense” or “personal protection” on an application does not provide the requisite proof of good cause,” per the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office 2018 website.

Also, California has an approved and certified Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms Certified Handgun Models List, just like in Massachusetts, which is updated every year with changing certifications. Many handguns have been De-Certified and eliminated since the Models List has existed. Recently this July, I saw that 1,281 handguns had been De-Certified and learned a new De-Certification List would be released in January 2019. Note that California also has a requirement for 2 “microstamps” to be imprinted on a spent cartridge by the gun’s unique action.

The authorized handgun, caliber, model, and serial number are listed on the concealed carry license in California. You may purchase no more than one handgun in any 30-day period in California, and there is a 10-day waiting period before the firearm release. Prior to buying a handgun in California, the purchaser must present a Firearms Safety Certificate after passing a Firearms Safety and Laws Test administered by certified instructors, for one gun. Also, a Certificate of Eligibility may be required of certain individuals.

New York operates on a “May-Issue” to residents-only policy at the local county level with issuances entirely up to the issuing officer, which can take 4-6 months or longer for approval. Only handguns listed on the license can be used, and all firearms must be registered with the State Police. A New York Pistol license is not valid in the five counties that make up New York City.

The New York Pistol/Revolver License Application for Concealed Carry requires four character references who by their signature attest to the applicant’s moral character. The application has required spaces to indicate Pistol-Revolver, Manufacturer, Model, Caliber, Serial Number, and Property Of data.

And the question remains “Should a permit or license even be required at all?”

Constitutional Carry without a permit exists among a few states, e.g., Alaska, Arizona, and West Virginia, while Arizona as a Constitutional Carry state does issue permits. Confusing!

Strict Caliber, Capacity, Number Of Carry Guns, And Activity Restrictions

Some jurisdictions impose strict limitations on concealed carry, like the number of handguns allowed to carry, specific type, and specific caliber of handguns (e.g., New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.) Some restrict carry magazine capacity (New York, California & Massachusetts), and some restrict certain activities for carry (California, New Jersey, New York) on an approved concealed carry application.

Is Concealed Carry Of More Than One Handgun A Crime?

Yes, it can be in some places. The number of guns you can conceal carry is sometimes directly specified, and other times it is not. For example, New Mexico specifies that residents shall carry only ONE concealed handgun at any given time and the type of handgun (revolver or semi-auto) and caliber are specified on the license. Puerto Rico Concealed Carry law also limits the carrying of more than ONE handgun at a time. In Texas, you could be licensed to carry only revolvers or both revolvers and semi-auto pistols, but you have to carry only the type specified on your license.

So, you could be breaking the law if you carry more than one handgun or a different gun with your concealed carry license or permit in some jurisdictions and states.

This is frequently changing, and the rule of law varies significantly among states and territories. And there is no federal statutory law concerning the issuance of concealed carry licenses or permits. There is not a universal state or federal law, rule, or guideline to follow that will keep you out of hot water in all states and territories. Constitutional Carry is not the law at this time in all 50 states and territories.

So, Should You Carry A Back Up Gun (Bug)?

There are very extreme views and responses to this question and some pros and cons to consider. Some think carrying two handguns (a primary gun and a spare backup gun- BUG), and a spare magazine or two make perfect and logical sense for self-defense. Others believe just the opposite and that it is ludicrous, downright dumb, and against the law of probability for deadly-force encounters to carry this extra weight and equipment for low-probability encounters. After all, you are already weighted down and carrying your primary gun, holster, mag pouch with extra ammo, knife, tactical flashlight, wallet, keys, cell phone, etc. You don’t even have enough pockets for everything, most pockets are small in size, and off-body carry is risky. They mention the 3-3-3 Self-Defense Rule for Deadly-Force encounters that says most attacks occur at 3 YARDS or less, in 3 SECONDS, and only 3 ROUNDS are fired, and it’s over. This is loosely based on law enforcement statistics in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports for law enforcement shootings, but I have no other evidence for civilian encounters.

A few folks rationalize that they cannot ever think of a single incident where a civilian who legally is carrying a weapon has ever needed to fire more than the usual three rounds or so in an encounter with a Bad Guy-Gal, let alone needing to carry a couple of handguns, their holsters, and much more ammo, etc. Of course, most of us can think of situations involving multiple attackers and needing a couple of magazines and maybe 20 rounds total or so.

And you could have a malfunction or mechanical problem with your handgun. But, are these rare, infrequent, and unusual situations? Several dedicated and licensed/permitted carriers, law enforcement, and security professionals, and well-intentioned self-defense citizens regularly and lawfully carry DAILY for 10 hours or so both a primary handgun and a Backup Gun (BUG.) Some even carry three handguns, pepper spray, a baton, taser, handcuffs, radio, an additional defensive knife, etc. But, remember there is a difference between law enforcement and civilian carry.

The point is deadly-force encounters are so variable and uncertain, with many diverse and situational elements at play, that you really never know what to expect and what is optimal for concealed carry. Can you go overboard in your excessive planning, attention to every single risk that may occur, and equipment details for usual civilian concealed carry?

We all don’t live near the Afghanistan-like battlefields or high-crime areas. But, while danger lurks everyplace nowadays, even in the schoolyard and at church, should we continuously be looking over our shoulders and planning accordingly?

So, do we plan ahead with multiple handguns, extra mags, and accessories for every single possible high-risk encounter? Or, rather plan for the odds that meet our goals, consider our usual schedules, risks, and situations, and prepare for only the worst situations that have reasonable probabilities for a deadly-force encounter?

What a challenging decision that is influenced by many things and possible major life-death results. Some have decided it is not necessary or worth its weight in gold, so sadly they have stopped routinely carrying one or multiple guns. No BUG! Others say to themselves that they are not “Rambo” and do not want to have to defend themselves in court for excessive use of force or disparity of force for their two guns versus their opponent with one gun. In reality, the practical answers are more involved for each unique situation.

Here Are Just Some Reasons For Carrying A Bug

• A mechanical handgun can and does fail – MALFUNCTIONS HAPPEN – PARTS BREAK
• Your strong hand could be non-operational or have limited access (due to injury or involvement with other actions) – ACCESS BUG WITH SUPPORT HAND
• Your primary handgun could be empty & drawing a bug could be faster – SAVE TIME BY AVOIDING RELOADS
• Your primary handgun could be grabbed & taken away by an attacker – LOSS OF GUN
• Your primary handgun could be out of commission from attacker’s bullet – YOUR GUN UNEXPECTEDLY DAMAGED by Attacker
• More rounds quickly available from bug for many attackers – MULTIPLE THREATS
• Climate and seasonal temperature and clothing variations encourage rotating to a smaller-sized BUG handgun – FLEXIBILITY & COMFORT

What Are Your Reasons For Carrying Multiple Concealed Carry Guns… Or For Not Carrying Multiple Concealed Carry Guns?

SURVEY: CONCEALED CARRY NUMBER OF HANDGUNS CARRIED

Take this survey below and indicate in your comments afterward the letter(s) of your choices.

How many concealed carry handguns do you regularly carry at one time?

You will have one answer for A through F choices, AND 1 answer for G through J. THANK YOU!

A. One handgun with one extra magazine.
B. One handgun with NO extra magazine.
C. One handgun with two or more extra magazines.
D. Two handguns, a Primary and a BUG, and NO extra mags.
E. Two handguns and an extra mag or two.
F. More than two handguns.
G. One full-size or compact Primary handgun (4-inch barrel or longer), with NO BUG.
H. One full-size or compact Primary handgun (4-inch barrel or longer), with a BUG.
I. One sub-compact Primary handgun (less than 4-inch barrel), with NO BUG.
J. One sub-compact Primary handgun (less than 4-inch barrel, with a BUG.

Photos by Author.

* This personal opinion article is meant for general information & educational purposes only and the author strongly recommends that you seek counsel from an attorney for legal advice and your own personal certified weapons trainer for proper guidance about shooting & using YOUR firearms, self-defense and concealed carry. It should not be relied upon as accurate for all shooters & the author assumes no responsibility for anyone’s use of the information and shall not be liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information or any damages or injuries incurred whatsoever.

© 2018 Col Benjamin Findley. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part by mechanical means, photocopying, electronic reproduction, scanning, or any other means without prior written permission. For copyright information, contact Col Ben Findley at [email protected].