There are several previous articles regarding this topic on this forum. You may find those comments educational/informative as well.
Some condsiderations to think about:
1) Discuss with your local attorney the hypothetical "what ifs" regarding your employing a loaded weapon in the "line of duty" so to speak. The old Boy Scout Motto..."Be prepared". In other words, don't put yourself and your client/company in an undefensible vicarious liability position.
2) Educate yourself to your local Leo's policies on weapons brandishing/usage. After all that is the barometer the Da, media, cj system etc will measure your actions against.
3) Get some sort of weapons certification....through your s.o., NRA, local shooting range, etc. Then practice at least once a month and have it documented. Create a file folder notating the date and time...a training log if you will, with the actual target.
4) Concealability, knock down power, comfort, "getting the job done", are of course all important factors. Here are some additional factors that should be considered:
a) Cost/replacement: If you are ever involved in a shooting, chances are your weapon will be confiscated by the local pd for various reasons. This is why I don't understand BEA's who go out and spend thousands of dollars on duty weapons knowing they may lose it down the road. You can find good quality used sidearms, Glocks, Rugers, Smith's, Beretta's, whatever for around $300-$400 each. This way, if your weapon is ever confiscated for whatever reason, you aren't out alot of money.
b) Bullets/grain loads: We all have to be cognizant of not just the calibre we use, but of the choices in bullets, grain loads, etc. For example, why would anyone carry a .44 magnum with a 240 grain jhp bullet ? We aren't hunting grizzly bears right ? That's way too much bullet for our purposes. You have to consider the potential for third party liabilities...i.e. your bullet passing through your target and into an innocent third party; passing through a wall, car, thin metal, etc.
c) Backdrops: We have to, in split second thinking, factor in the backdrop of our area. Shoot or don't shoot drills....what's behind my target ? A school ? Church ? Shopping mall ? Gas station ?
Basically the way my partner and I train our people down here, is NO SHOOTING. Too much liability. What we teach is to immediately take cover, retreat to a safe distance, set up a containment perimeter and of course call 911. If the fugitve gets away..then so be it..you'll catch him/her some other time.
Now I already know I have left myself wide open to a million disagreements and "what ifs". This is just a general policy. I don't want anyone in my team going to jail, getting injured or killed over a bail bond. Thier lives mean more to me than that. After all it's just money.
So please don't get caught up in the "Bounty Hunter" Hype....guns, "bat belts", wanna be uniforms, vehicles, etc....it's just a job about money....that's it. You are being paid to exonerate your client from the court ordered forfieture...don't lose sight of this fact.
1 last thought....Duty guns, used for BEA purposes, will get you into more trouble then they will ever get you out of......
These are just my own opinions.
Take care and God Bless.....
