DEPUTY’S OBSERVATIONS: Why Do We Carry Handguns?
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- The Commander’s weapon of choice was a .38 S&W Chief Special wearing a Barami Hip Grip.
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Why do we carry handguns? It was a question asked of me many years ago while I had the honor to serve as the bailiff to a judge of the Superior Court. He was a remarkable man who spent most of his career as a top prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office, but for three-years he served as one of the most respected judges of our criminal courts. It was one of the most interesting times in my career.
We called him “The Commander,” a nickname that had been pinned on him by his colleagues in the DA’s office. Many of them served as officers in our nation’s military reserves, and at the same time that he became the chief-deputy of a branch office he also attained the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He eventually retired at the rank of captain, but there was just something about the moniker “The Commander” that fit him and it stuck with him for years.
“The Commander” was an exceptional leader. His Navy service had all been in “line units” in Naval Aviation. He was an electrical engineer by training and had served as a Naval Flight Officer on antisubmarine bombers, including an assignment to Vietnam immediately after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
“The Commander” was a common sense guy. No matter how complex of a legal issue that faced him, he always broke it down to its core elements, applied the applicable law and moved forward. I don’t ever recall him having to stop and take an objection under advisement and research it later; he just used common sense and made a ruling.
One of his most remarkable qualities as a leader was that he dedicated himself to teaching us on his staff something everyday. He had no obligation to do so, but everyday he tried to teach our clerk and court reporter and myself something. It might be a complex legal issue, Oriental philosophy or something of a mechanical nature, but everyday we learned something from him, and we were better employees and people for it. In later years I tried to do the same for the young deputies that I worked with.
“The Commander” was a life-long “gun guy” and carried a concealed weapon most of his adult life; a fact that his flight crewmembers appreciated. Flying patrols from Japan out over the open ocean they found it reassuring that “The Lieutenant” had a snub-nosed .38 in his flight suit pocket. Later when they were assigned to Vietnam all of the flight crewmembers were issued WWII era revolvers. While they were all gathered in the barracks being briefed, “The Lieutenant” was selecting which old revolvers his crewmen were going to carry, and he selected the best of the bunch. “The Lieutenant” looked after his crew.
One day “The Commander” accosted me with the question, “Why do we carry handguns?” I was stumped for an answer and muttered something feeble, like “Because they make us look sexy?” Being a gentleman he let that go. He did not expect me to answer his question, and we both knew that he was only couching a statement in the form of a question to encourage me to think about it.
“We carry handguns,” he told me in his crisp, precise way of speaking, “because we do not expect trouble.” That was my lesson for the day: We carry handguns because we do not expect trouble. To my credit I was able to extrapolate that out to the next level: If we expect trouble then we bring a long gun. But since we don’t expect trouble but are aware that trouble might still visit us, we go armed with a handgun.
That was one of the most important lessons that I ever learned during my law enforcement career. Of all of the classes I took in Criminal Justice, starting in high school and through community collage, the academy, Advanced Officer schools (aka “retread school”) and later “Regional Officer Training” (aka “Rot,” which it usually was) plus all of the seminars and survival schools that I attended on my own, that one observation about carrying a handgun made the biggest impression on me of all. Not to say that I did not learn important things from all of my advanced training classes and survival seminars, because I did. But that one basic rule about defensive handguns and offensive long guns opened my eyes and made me think about what I was doing and how to view a situation. I had always been pragmatic about my assignments, expecting and planning for trouble even when the sergeant, who was not going to be leaving his office and going with me, was sure that “Everything would be OK and everybody will get along and we will sing ‘Kum ba yah’ together afterwards.” Funny, beforehand they always had the utmost confidence in my abilities to bring a situation to a peaceful resolution while afterwards they exhibited no confidence in my judgment, expected numerous complaints & law suits and bemoaned the day that I had been assigned to their quiet and peaceful world in Neverland. Until the next time that they assigned me to deal with a potentially dangerous assignment and still did not volunteer to go out into the field to cover me.
I actually refined that lesson one more step: But because we are aware of the sudden and violent nature of criminal attacks we carry .45s. I don’t mean that only those of us who carry pistols chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge can call ourselves “warriors.” I mean that you should carry the largest pistol of the largest caliber that you can conceal, and shoot competently. For some that is a small 2” revolver or a compact .380 ACP pocket pistol. It is more important to have “some gun” than “no gun.” “The Commander “ always preached to me, “A hit with a .22 is more important than a miss with a .45.” His weapon of choice was a .38 Smith & Wesson Chief Special wearing a Barami Hip Grip. (www.baramihipgrip.com.) He always carried it, and he was an expert shot with it.
My first partner in Fugitive Investigations, “Big Al” Culbertson, carried a Charter Arms Bulldog 5-shot .44 Special revolver. He was a competitive shooter and our range master & armorer. He was our “one-man SWAT Team” and he could shoot circles around me, literally. I was carrying so many guns and so much extra ammunition that I could hardly make it out of our unmarked car, and my biggest fear was of being attacked by a magnet. Had I ever fallen down I would probably have to low-crawl around until I found something to pull myself upright. “Big Al” also carried a .357 Magnum revolver and 500 rounds along with a sawed-off double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun in the trunk of our “cool car,” but he knocked on doors with just the five-rounds of .44 Special in his weapon and none of us quibbled with him about it. For him with his skill level, that was “enough gun” for just about any situation that he could expect to face. What was in the trunk was for when “Big Al” expected trouble.
Stay safe, and stay alert.
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Comments
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I used to work for a Sheriff (Copboe, you know who I am talking about), who's thinking was "How are you going to be the police without a gun?". A badge doesn't get you very far with a violent suspect without the threat of "Deadly Force" to back it up if needed. Go to a robbery and hold up only your badge and see what happens. As a Military Policeman, I am not considered a "Law Enforcement Officer" so I am not allowed to carry off-duty, and I am stationed in the great liberal state of California where it is damn near inpossible to get a concealed carry license (any thoughts on that subject). So I sometimes find myself in a hypocritical, ethical problem (not that I would "illegaly carry" a handgun).
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- DarkKnightWoman
- 3 months ago
- 0 comments
I agree with the Authors opinions
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- mar10inla
- 3 months ago
- 9 comments
I really enjoyed reading your article.
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- copboe
- 3 months ago
- 1 comment
Excellent Article. Interestingly enough I had a Sgt. (with 30 years in Law Enforcement) tell me the same thing that the "Commander" told you “A hit with a .22 is more important than a miss with a .45.” My (former) Sgt. is my "Commander" if you will. He too made sure all of his "Sons and Daughters" (as he called us) learned something new on every call and every conversation that we had with him, even now if I have a question or concern I call him to get his comments or opinion. Thanks again Frank.
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Outstanding article, very insightful and informative. Thanks Frank...
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- lynettesman
- 3 months ago
- 13 comments
Amen, Dammit. I wear a gun on my hip to diswayed trouble. The gun in my hand is to deal with trouble. As my trainer said "When you pull a weapon be prepared to shoot. But when you shoot shoot to kill. But never carry a weapon you don't know how to shoot."
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Very true. Great read.
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- AnnaLee
- 3 months ago
- 3 comments
That one little saying from the Commander is so true. I never really thought of it before, but it so applies (even to me).
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- car9
- 3 months ago
- 2 comments
thanks for the insight..great article
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- shorey
- 3 months ago
- 1 comment
That was very informative. "The Commander" gave a great point about guns.
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Great article!! It makes you thik and I share your opinion.
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- oldman
- 3 months ago
- 3 comments
Outstanding article that brought the point home. I will pass this on to everyone in the department. I wished I had someone like the " Commander" to mentor me.
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Great write up!
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Excellent article!!!
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Outstanding article!
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- AOrozco
- 3 months ago
- 6 comments
Well said...outstanding article and a great lesson. Thanks.
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Well done.
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"Because we do not expect trouble." EXCELLENT!
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Outstanding!
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- agarcia78
- 3 months ago
- 11 comments
Excellent article, great lesson
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Frank has outdone himself once again. Outstanding lessons here. Keep up the great work.
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- Paladin5150
- 3 months ago
- 2 comments
Interesting Lesson...
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Excellent article, I throughly enjoyed it!
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EXCELLENT ARTICLE, THANKS FRANK
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The "COMMANDER" and " BIG AL' clearly possessed common sense.
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- DGM
- 3 months ago
- 0 comments
This article has provided me with perhaps the most important insight to the concealed carry concept, and probably one of the most important and interesting insights of my life. This is an excellent piece. (pun)
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- llooby
- 3 months ago
- 0 comments
I have known Frank for several years and one thing frank is never short on is an interesting story. Well done.
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- geneo5849
- 3 months ago
- 1 comment
Well said, thank you.
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Great Article. Thanks!
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Great article!!!
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Great Article..Thank your for sharing it.
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- JSO60312
- 3 months ago
- 0 comments
That is the best advice I've heard in a long time! With my military background, I believe in that statement 100%.
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Words of wisdom! This story makes you think.
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Nice Job Frank! Another great article.
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Another great article Frank! Outstanding my friend! I wish you had said his name to see if I remember him. Very bad with names thought but I have a high suspicion that I would recognize both the "Commander" and "AL" The one thing that SD had was a excess of great leaders. I know I learned most of what I brought to the table from those I was fortunate enough to associate and work with in that city.
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Great article Frank!!!! if anyone would ask me why I carry guns, I would have echo the above article and add the fact that it is my GOD given right because it was writen in our constitution by some very intelligent man whom are been desicrated by our politicians and politically motivated lawmakers and arguers. GOD BLESS THIS GREAT NATION!!!! THEY CAN HAVE MY GUNS ... WHEN THEY PRY THEM FROM MY DEAD COLD HANDS!!!!
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- securetexas
- 3 months ago
- 18 comments
This article will be considered BAD and in poor taste by the liberial, tree hugging, flower child, dope smoking, no working skells that we are sworn to protect.... Oh forgot to ad most of the media.... I thank God every day for the Frank's, the Commander's & of course Big Al. With out these guys and many others that have influenced some of us over the years, it scares me to think where we would be. I myself live by the Boy Scout motto of Be Prepared, thats how I justify to my spouse, my need to carry.{why I have several weapons and all of the gear to go with them, hmmm} To my Officers I preach safety,safety,safety as well keep your head out of your ass. All of this means nothing if commen sense is not applied in all aplications. I hope that the next generation of Law Enforcement Officers will look back on the words of wisdom that Frank took the time to tell us, as well what about Jeff Cooper, The N.Y.P.D. "Stake out" squad and all of the other salty dogs who provide us not only with war stories, but w/ ways to keep our fat outta the fire.. Thanks, Frank
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- bsibley
- 3 months ago
- 0 comments
Nice Job Frank! For all of us who have spent time either in the military or long enough in law enforcement we may all have a "Commander" that touched our lives in a special way. I just wish that they were not so scarce. Commanders are a rare (and unfortunately disappearing) breed that I beleive is parelled wtih the diminishing concept of common sense. Many good officers have the unique quality of being able to think on their feet in a given situation and call on experience (aka a well remembered event that went wrong at least once before) to survive and help others control a problem. The truly great officers have an ability to think about situations BEFORE they hapen and thus can educate themselves on what to do IF something occurs. So instead of sitting around B-S-ing about who is doing what to whom or what union rule prohibits them from actually doing the job, leos wold be better served to challenge each other with a form of mental gymnastics like "Hey.... I read about an incident that went wrong in Whereeverville USA and the result was tragic. What would we do to achieve a better outcome if that happened in our jurisdiction." The union talk will always be there for gossip, however, maybe a few minutes per shift of challenging one another to keep sharp about situations that haven't occurred yet just might save a life or enable everyone on your shift to go home safely at the end of the day. Unlike Friday afternoons at the academy... "what if? " questions can be useful to stimulate some interesting discussions that can produce solutions that even some of the naysayers might buy into for a change. Thanks Frank!
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Great article Frank,A great story and lesson for every one of us. The "Commander" was a great mentor!
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- kevw25
- 3 months ago
- 1 comment
WE need more like the commander. Sounds like a smart guy
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The "Commander" sounds like he is a compassionate and sensational man. There are not too many like that out there anymore.
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- JBeau
- 3 months ago
- 142 comments
Excellent article, thanks Frank.
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I wished I would have had the honor to work with Frank.
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Great article Frank and a lesson well learned, the Commander sounds like a hell of a guy.
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- steveray
- 3 months ago
- 0 comments
Eloquent. Simple, but not simplistic. Your 'Commander' taught you well.
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Eye opening. So its NOT “Because they make us look sexy?” !!!!! Thanks Frank. Wf
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Excellent article, and a great teaching tool. Thank you for sharing this info and experience with all of us. It is most appreciated. JPSarge
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Great article. Definitely a sheepdog protecting the flock.
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catm2005 said it all! fully agree!
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AWESOME article! A great story and lesson for every one of us.
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- Featured Writer:
- Frank Hinkle
Frank Hinkle is a veteran of more than 31-years in law enforcement, having served as a deputy on the San Diego County Marshal’s Department and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. He served as a plain-clothes investigator serving felony warrants and Mental Health Examination petitions. He also conducted extraditions; returning fugitives to San Diego County to face trial. He also served as a member of his departments’ Honor Guard.
Not satisfied with the officer safety and combat shooting training that he had received he took it upon himself to read literature and attend seminars on those subjects on his own. A great deal of his knowledge in these subjects comes from the experiences of his colleagues in law enforcement
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