Can my wife carry a derringer for self-defense in Calif? Either conceiled or visible? Laws are strict here.?

We live in a good neighborhood, just the kind women get targeted in for car jacking or assault.She knows to travel with friends and keep her eyes and ears open, but I wouldn't mind if she was packed for extra protection. Can anyone in Law Enforcement in Calif. give us advice?

In California, you cannot carry openly. Period.

It is possible to get a carry permit, but California is not a "shall issue" state. Meaning, that in "shall issue" states, everyone who applies for a permit and meets the qualifications gets one, no questions asked (beyond what is necessary to qualify for the permit). In California, on the other hand, it is perfectly permissible for local authorities to deny your wife a carry permit, even if she is perfectly qualified for one in all respects. Sadly, it comes down to what your local officials think about the notion of civilians carrying firearms for self defense, and your wife's standing in the community. Even more sadly, it would really help if your wife was some sort of celebrity or VIP. In my opinion, this isn't equal access to the law, but that's the way it is in California.

Another poster mentioned that a derringer is questionable. I agree. There are a number of more powerful semi-automatic handguns that are sized for a woman's hands. Any reputable gun shop would be able to help you make a good choice in this respect. All handguns are basically a compromise when it comes to self defense...even the proverbial .44 magnum would lack stopping power if her life was in danger. Please stack the odds in her favor as much as you can.

Self Defense For Law Enforcement

Self Defense For Law Enforcement

Is the .357 SIG a good self defense round?

I'm about to get my CCW permit and i was looking at the .357 SIG a good choice for a defense round? I know that a lot of law enforcement agencies have switched to it and I've heard that it packs a good punch. Tee only problem that ive heard is that they can overpenetrate. Is this true? Has anyone actually encountered this problem with Hollow Points? Are there any other problems with it that i should know about?

If you can afford the ammo (and know a source that will always have it) it's a good round for sure. Its benefits over 9mm +P is that it is designed for the steady diet of that higher power. Not all 9mm pistols are.

Also, failures to feed (a type of jam) are virtually eliminated because of the bottlenecked cartridge design. Magazine capacity will be the same as a .40, so slightly less than a same-sized 9mm.

Texas DPS (their Highway Patrol and Rangers) selected it because they wanted the extra penetration it offers. Yes, its penetration can be an issue in self-defense scenarios. You are responsible for where every single bullet eventually lands. My choice of the .45 is with this in mind, but there are techniques you can use to minimize overpenetration risks.

In smaller CCW firearms, there will also be significantly more muzzle flip (byproduct of recoil) during shooting than with a standard 9mm.

While the .357 Sig can certainly be called upon to defend one's life, my personal choice would be a 9mm for small firearms and a .45 in larger firearms depending on what combination of controlability, concealability, and firepower desired.

Same principle applies with the .357 Magnum. Excellent round yes, but you will always have to be mindful of the penetration issues, and the extra recoil in the smaller models, which affects follow-up shots.

Hollowpoints do have less penetration than ball (full metal jacket) ammo for sure, but modern hollowpoints are not frangible either. They are designed to both expand and penetrate. There are special rounds out there that are frangible, though, when you must shoot and cannot have penetration issues. They are expensive and have other obvious trade-offs.

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MTG57 Knife Defence & Use for Law Enforcement Officers

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