Let’s say that the trigger didn’t cause any problems and functioned well. It was a good shoot, and everything checks out. The Family asks to get the CCW examined for modifications. It comes up that the trigger, along with its components (I am not familiar with the mechanism) is not stock. Could that be used as leverage, saying I was an extremist or whatever and was out for blood?
The reason why I ask is someone once told me that it could be used against me for having an altered CCW, even if it was a good shoot or not. Could I carry this and have nothing to worry about, or get rid of it, or put it back to stock then carry it, or simply leave as is and use it as my range pistol ….
OH, I also was told the same applies for a laser as well. Is this true?
Thank you,
Cody B
Two points I'd like to make:
1. A firearm intended to be a self defense weapon that does not fit you or is not adjustable to be fully utilized by you in your defense isn't worth carrying. Common upgrades or modifications are handgun grips. Ever hear of anyone being prosecuted for improving their ability to grip, draw and fire their defensive weapon? Me either. Night sights are another common upgrade. Can you find a conviction based on the carrier improving their ability to attain a better bead on their target?
A 73 year old with debilitating arthritis has as much right to self defense as anyone else does. A 9 pound, extremely long trigger pull may not work for that 73 year old, yet with some modification, the weapon is functional for him. There are no state or federal regulations on trigger trip weights, no point of reference a prosecutor can point to that indicates a clear and unquestionable intent to kill.
2. An anti-gun prosecutor might even try to turn you choices in holsters into intent. Hell, even the lube you use could be construed to "enhance the ability to kill".
And just to rehash what we all already know.....explanations regarding a defensive shoot are best handled by your attorney, including questions about ammo, caliber choice, reason for the number of rounds fired, and modifications to the firearm. Physically cooperate and
state "I am invoking my right to legal counsel" are two good things to get worked into your "after the shooting" drill. For me, that is my after the shooting drill. You won't be convicted of anything by waiting for your attorney to be there. Your freedom becomes a crap shoot if you don't wait for the attorney.
Just possessing the firearm could be construed as intent to kill, to feed your blood lust. There are internet myth's of courtroom drama over trigger jobs, cases where reloads or purchased ammo was used with the intent to kill. A good attorney can easily clear up any confusion about that and explain your intent to stop the threat, not kill it. These questions will be put to an expert witness on the stand, not you.
I have more interest in having access to the right attorney than limiting the function of my defensive weapon. This of course is assuming that the modifications don't render the firearm an accidental discharge danger to yourself and everyone within shooting distance. That would be a different issue, and your tinkering could invite challenge of an accidental discharge into a negligent discharge, a bit of a difference when it comes to liability.
