Question for LEOs

[FredoSD]

Hello ladies and gents,
I'm a custom gun leather maker. Most of my work is holsters and most of those are concealment holsters for LEO and folks with CCWs.
Here's my question, I test every holster I make around the house. Unfortunately "around the house" does not give me real world/time feedback. I want to continue to improve my products so I want to test them in public. I use Rings blue gun training simulators for molding and forming.
What are my legal issues if I wear a concealed holster with a blue gun simulator while out in public (for R&D)? The idea is to see how well it rides, fits, retains the weapon and of course hides the weapon. I am aware that there may come a time that one of you might get a man with gun call.
What type of response can I expect from LEOs?
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.


Fredo

https://www.starleather.net

[fullrearview]

As it has often been said, a lawyer is better suited to give legal advise.

As for the responding officer response... There are so many unknown circumstances, that you will never get a one size fits all contact from LEO. My suggestion... If you do carry the training weapon, make your holsters extremely well so you don't have the cops called on you!

[FredoSD]

Ok, let me rephrase the question.
Is is legal?
What can I ecpect as YOUR response as a LEO?

[Falconis]

I can't think of anything in the penal code off the top of my head. Only thing I would be worried about from a legal standpoint are city code violations if they exist.

Like the above poster stated, it all depends. Being ordered down to the ground at gunpoint is a definate possibility though. Just because a gun is a pretty color doesn't diminish our threat level till we verify it. Like he said, it all depends on the circumstances.

[DesertGunner]

Using a rubberized gun like a blue/red gun will not accurately simulate how the gun fits in the holster. The rubber "grabs" the holster leather much more than the metal gun would. I'm sure for forming this isn't a big deal, but wear, draw, etc might be affected.

[SVT-40]

It might be in your best interest to "farm out" a few prototypes for "beta" testing by actual users. Instead of trying it your self. Blue guns are good, but there is no substitute for the real thing.



I checked your web site and couldn't find where you are located. Drop me a P/M I have many contacts in the law enforcement community as well as the firearms field in southern California if you are interested.

[RedMongooSe]

ill try out a glock 23 one

[Notorious]

I hate to say it but if you are going about CCW with a blue gun, if you get caught, you either have bad design or you are not as discreet as you should be. The only people who see my CCW weapon are ones I want them to see.

There is absolutely no state law about concealing a non-weapon, which the blue gun is. You can conceal it however you want or even walk around with 30 blue guns taped all over yourself openly and there's nothing we can do other than maybe take you for 5150.

Other than that, you can OC your blue gun and explain to people it's a beta test. Then you would get any idea of how it works for CCW.

Personally, I think you should send me a few models to test out since I CCW every single day so I can give you some good feedback in short order!

[homerm14]

I see no legal problems. That being said there is no substitute for the real thing. Try doing some yard work (in the back yard) sit in chairs, and normal stuff with a loaded (none in the chamber) weapon and see how comfortable it is. The reason I say none in the chamber is not for legal reasons, but just in case. Some weapons don't work well with some holsters, and since you are testing it better safe than sorry.

[FredoSD]

Thank you everyone, food for thought.

[todd2968]

Just tell people your the big bad smurf killer

[ironcross]

IMHO: Real weapon or fake weapon. They can assume intent.

If you got 100k+ plus a lawyer. Then it's your call.

Plus training weapons aka Red/Blue training weapons are not made to spec.

Doesn't matter if it's a blank, training, inert, etc type of weapon. As it's up to the 58 California counties DA's to decide.

Your hide not mine. (No pun intended)

[badfish71]

It might be in your best interest to "farm out" a few prototypes for "beta" testing by actual users. Instead of trying it your self. Blue guns are good, but there is no substitute for the real thing.



I checked your web site and couldn't find where you are located. Drop me a P/M I have many contacts in the law enforcement community as well as the firearms field in southern California if you are interested.

+1
this is probably your best bet. i know most of my partners are going to treat that gun as if were real.. until i/we find out otherwise..
ETA: you will also get a more realistic gauge as to what your holsters can put up with if you give it to real users. i know mine get pretty much abused. but thats how you know what products are worth buying again.

[Jonathan Doe]

As far as I can see, the blue gun is NOT a firearm. I personally do not see a problem, although I have not worked the streets since 1994.

If you I can request a design change, I would like to see a leather holster with more straight up and down draw rahter than forward cant. When I use it with forward cant, it is very awkward to draw a pistol. I have to bend forward to draw more or less. That is why I wear a Blackhawk holster set at the straight up and down draw. I feel more natural with it.

If you want to test your holster, let me know. I have tested many firearms related items due to the nature of my job.

[1911su16b870]

It might be in your best interest to "farm out" a few prototypes for "beta" testing by actual users. Instead of trying it your self.

Blue guns are good, but there is no substitute for the real thing.

I checked your web site and couldn't find where you are located. Drop me a P/M I have many contacts in the law enforcement community as well as the firearms field in southern California if you are interested.

+1 this is a great idea if you are willing to let a few out for R&D purposes!