Personally I NEVER leave the house unarmed, several officers I work with never touch a weapon unless working. The departments in my area allow off duty carry with approved weapons, What are policies around the country?

In NY the NYPD requires that the officer be armed on or off duty in their geographic area of employment unless sick, on vacation, or unfit for duty since we are supposed to be on duty and ready to take police action 24/7.  They leave it up to you whether or not you wish to carry off duty while out of your GAOE. You may not be unfit for duty unless on vacation.  I can carry my firearm anywhere in the state, since we get out powers from the NYS Criminal Procedural Law, (giving us police status throughout the state).  I stopped carrying everywhere for a while, but with recent events being what they are I find myself carrying everywhere and all the time again now.  I'm also very happy for HR 214 allowing us to carry state to state.

There is one place a gun never belongs, and thats a bar. Leave it home or at work, secured...

I realize this is an old topic. Peoples views, habits, situations change. In light of recent public shootings some have gone from "Why carry off duty for this or that reason" to " There's too much happening in schools, malls, etc. to not being armed"  I know officers that never practiced unless it was during inservice, now they are training on their own and taking shooting serious.

I am never without a weapon and never will be.It was optional with my first Dept.It was mandatory with the second P.D. I worked with and the two Sheriffs Dept. I worked with.Love HR218

It's like my Discover card. Never leave home without it.

In my case,Mastercard.

uncledennis1 says ...

Whats in your wallet?

Take a deep breath and relax, UncaD. I ain't gonna tell ya where I carry it, even if you call and axe!!   (bwahahahahahaha)

SGT405 says ...

Lets forget about officer safety, for a moment. Think of it this way. The average midsize to large dept. has 1/3  staff on duty. That leaves 2/3 of officers off duty who in my opinion are still functioning police officers. From a manpower standpoint issue its a no brainer.

Excellent point! However, for officer safety: MAKE SURE YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS AN OFFICER IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN SOMETHING OFF DUTY!!!!! This is especially true in those huge departments where not every officer knows every officer, or if you're on vacation somewhere. I've posted LODD's about off duty officers being shot by on-duty officers

Common Sense, everyone!!

36TR says ...

SGT405 says ...

Lets forget about officer safety, for a moment. Think of it this way. The average midsize to large dept. has 1/3  staff on duty. That leaves 2/3 of officers off duty who in my opinion are still functioning police officers. From a manpower standpoint issue its a no brainer.

Excellent point! However, for officer safety: MAKE SURE YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS AN OFFICER IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN SOMETHING OFF DUTY!!!!! This is especially true in those huge departments where not every officer knows every officer, or if you're on vacation somewhere. I've posted LODD's about off duty officers being shot by on-duty officers

Common Sense, everyone!!

I've unfortuantely been to their funerals.  Not everyone looks like a cop.

 I carry 99% of the time off duty and have a gun readily available to me in my car 100% of the time.  There are few places where I don't take my gun like church or into the gym only because I'm not going into the steam room or shower w/ it...

I pity the poor officer who has admitted that he/she does not carry off duty.There is a criminal element out there,many of whom recognize you and will be more than willing to take you out,for any given reason,wheather you are on or off duty.Don't think it can't or hasn't happened.A number of officers are slain each year due to the simple fact they are leos.I carry,not because I like playing with guns or am a gun nut,but because I have a burning desire that my children will have a father and my lovely spouse will have a provider.

uncledennis1 says ...

Whats in your wallet?

MY WIFE!