Gun Mods vs. being sued

[Maplewood]

Most of us have heard not to modify your personal defense gun in case you end up shooting someone. Why? The only reason I can think of is if you didn't mean for the gun to go off and you shoot someone. I would think 90% of the time you did mean to shoot the person and maybe more than once or twice to defend yourself. So if a guy breaks in your house and you get into a gun fight and kill them, why would they care if you had a 3.5 connector or whatever?

It has to be in the case of accidental discharge.

Anyone know for sure

[Lancear15]

As long as the gun is legal and in safe working order(ie work done by a qualified gun smith), modify to your hearts content.

[-hanko]

Maplewood, great question...

I've heard the incessant web blather about civil suits and/or criminal prosecution for protecting yourself if you justifiably fear grievous harm or death for your self or your family...it's been on the interweb since I started surfing.

I have yet to have one person cite precedent for such actions.

I'm still waiting.

If after carefully educating yourself as what constitutes the legal use of a weapon for self-protection you find that you need to stop the actor, you're good to go.

For others who want to post 'I was told', 'I heard', 'I read', etc., please cite a case.

-hanko

[socalblue]

I've heard the incessant web blather about civil suits and/or criminal prosecution for protecting yourself if you justifiably fear grievous harm or death for your self or your family...it's been on the interweb since I started surfing.

I have yet to have one person cite precedent for such actions.

I'm still waiting.

If after carefully educating yourself as what constitutes the legal use of a weapon for self-protection you find that you need to stop the actor, you're good to go.

For others who want to post 'I was told', 'I heard', 'I read', etc., please cite a case.

-hanko

Exactly. Unless the modification(s) created an unsafe condition or hazard (IE: your 1911 went full auto & hit a subject who had already surrendered when shooting at one still armed) there should be no issue. Would require one to really screw up to have a DA file criminal charges. Civil action is a whole different issue.

[POLICESTATE]

One thing I wouldn't do is have "Born to Kill" or "Shoot to Kill" or the like engraved on the gun.

[1911Operator]

One thing I wouldn't do is have "Born to Kill" or "Shoot to Kill" or the like engraved on the gun.

lol, well my thoughts on the subject is:

the person should not be breaking into your home in the first place. if someone comes into my home to steal or anything, I imidiatelly consider him/her a threat. and I will neutralize that threat with what ever I have handy (my trusty 1911). theres is a saying in the army: its better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6. that means, if you do get in trouble for what ever reason, atleast your not DEAD!

and i do have a moded 1911. its got a light/laser on the rail, extended slide release, rubber grips, and recoil bushings.

[SgtDinosaur]

I'm relying on my faulty memory here, but I think Massad Ayoob used to say this in the context of a DA using it to show you wanted to shoot someone, or that you were excessively bloodthirsty or something. I think he had real world examples, but we're going back 20 years here.

[robert101]

agree, agree, agree.

[Maplewood]

Thanks for the responses, it's pretty much what I would figure. I ask because I'm putting a few extended parts on my glock 27 and a 3.5 trigger & NY#1 trigger spring to try it out, but it is my bedside gun.

[professorhard]

I'd shoot someone (who was threatening my life) with a MAC-10 that was covered in punisher skulls and had "Born to kill" engraved on it, anytime, anywhere.

[-hanko]

I'm relying on my faulty memory here, but I think Massad Ayoob used to say this in the context of a DA using it to show you wanted to shoot someone, or that you were excessively bloodthirsty or something. I think he had real world examples, but we're going back 20 years here.

He taught me LFI I and LFI II...I respect his opinion, and I realize a DA can say anything, but he never cited precedent.

My alternative might be to let the dogs continue on the actor, go to bed and say I didn't see or hear a thing until I woke up.

-hanko

[SgtDinosaur]

He taught me LFI I and LFI II...I respect his opinion, and I realize a DA can say anything, but he never cited precedent.

My alternative might be to let the dogs continue on the actor, go to bed and say I didn't see or hear a thing until I woke up.

-hanko

Interesting. Did he say the thing about not making mods? I think I have "In The Gravest Extreme" somewhere in the house but it's been years since I read it. I used to read his articles in the gun magazines too, back in the day. I really don't trust my memory on this entirely.

[1911Operator]

so I can't shot someone in my house with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXh3nRd1K8U

[mrlightning559]

If you need to use your weapon gun or likewise use it , protect your family , don't say anything to the police, and lawyer up I think that's best no matter how modified or not your gun might be

[shooting4life]

The people that worry about mods are the same people that wont use reloads. If they are going to sue you the make or break factor is notngoing to be that you a 18lb recoil spring or that you used 5grs of universal under your gold door instead of 4.7