View Poll Results: What is your opinion of personal cosmetic touches on a defensive weapon?

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  • They will get you lynched in court - don't do it

    40 10.90%
  • They may add weight to the prosecution depending on the circumstances

    158 43.05%
  • Doubtful they would have any significance in court, but fellow enthusiast may ridicule them

    67 18.26%
  • It won't make any difference either way - do what you want

    102 27.79%
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Thread: The liability of graphics, engravings, and other personal cosmetic touches

  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chameleox View Post
    Liability really only comes into play if the wrong person gets shot (either unintentionally, or if one intends to shoot someone who didn't need shooting). Will an engraving on a carbine affect the gun's reliability? No. But...

    Take our recent court case du jour. Suppose Zimmerman had a "Punisher" skull on the slide cover plate of his handgun, or "Infidel" written along the slide. It wouldn't matter one lick in court, but if there's any sort of race/ethnicity/foul play card to play, its not going to help any, especially that its now time for him to continue living his life in public.

    Again, for this to be a factor, you have to actually have a shooting, and have an investigating entity, prosecutor, or other party that will make the info public. You also need a media that will latch onto such things, and a public that's at a fever fitch over race relations, justice inequality, etc. Unlikely, I know...

    Personally, I'd make sure the quote is tasteful and, like you said, inconspicuous.
    I beg to differ on the highlighted. It would add to motive, in the jurors' minds he's a wanna be vigilante with something like that on his gun.

    I voted for it will get you lynched in court. Sure an obvious good shoot is just that but if there is any grey area, you aren't setting yourself up wisely. i'd pass with anything punisher, (infidel whatever might be ok) and I'd pass on the zombie shit, that will make you look immature and speak towards your maturity/decision-making.

  2. #12
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    Re: The liability of graphics, engravings, and other personal cosmetic touches

    Personally, I view markings and such as cheesy, similar to the zombie stuff. Self defense is a serious subject that requires serious tools. I definitely don't think they would help anyone's case. We've also seen lawyers & the media make mountains out of mole hills. Range toy... fine, but I'd leave it off an SD firearm.
    Just my opinion & I'm not trying to offend anyone who has that stuff. To each, his own. It's just not for me though.

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  3. #13
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    I will never, ever put any customizations on any gun that could be used for self defense purposes. And since that's all of my guns - none of them are customized sans SBR engraving. (Which says "In God We Trust")

    To all those who say "Well it can't be used against you"...whatever.

    Imagine, as was said, if GZ had a punisher skull on his handgun. That would be plastered all over the news. While impossible to ever find out, I would be more than willing to bet that everything else remaining equal, having that on his gun would have resulted in at minimum a manslaughter conviction (i.e. 30 years in jail)

    The prosecution in its opening statements made a big deal about how his gun was "concealed" (even though it is legally required to be concealed in Florida) and how he had a round in the chamber "Ready to kill".

    You wanna put "Molon Labe" or some shit on your gun? Be my guest. The reward from having a custom gun does not outweigh the risk of jailtime or even public outrage for me.
    Last edited by Eurodriver; 07-14-13 at 19:50.
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  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by PatrioticDisorder View Post
    I beg to differ on the highlighted. It would add to motive, in the jurors' minds he's a wanna be vigilante with something like that on his gun.

    I voted for it will get you lynched in court. Sure an obvious good shoot is just that but if there is any grey area, you aren't setting yourself up wisely. i'd pass with anything punisher, (infidel whatever might be ok) and I'd pass on the zombie shit, that will make you look immature and speak towards your maturity/decision-making.
    Could you imagine if Zimmerman would of had on a Concealed carry badge. The prosecution would've ripped him apart over that.

    I voted, It won't make any difference either way. But I don't like stuff like that on any of my AR's or handguns.
    Last edited by Tonyparson; 07-14-13 at 20:14.

  5. #15
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    The Zimmerman trial should be a wake-up call for anyone considering putting silly shit on their serious-use guns. What looks cool on the Internet may not be so amusing to six soccer moms.
    "Remember, if it doesn't violate the BYU Honor Code, it's not worth doing"
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  6. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Eurodriver View Post
    The prosecution in its opening statements made a big deal about how his gun was "concealed" (even though it is legally required to be concealed in Florida) and how he had a round in the chamber "Ready to kill".
    Do they have a transcript or video of this available?

  7. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by F-Trooper05 View Post
    The Zimmerman trial should be a wake-up call for anyone considering putting silly shit on their serious-use guns. What looks cool on the Internet may not be so amusing to six soccer moms.
    This should also apply to what you wear. If you shoot someone at minimum you will be photographed if your clothes aren't bagged.

  8. #18
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    I think you guys are taking this a little too far.

    What does it matter what it says as long as it isn't something along the lines of "skittle hunter" on zimmermans keltec.

    If what brand or logo or phrase or picture you put on a specific item mattered then it would be the point of contention in every case. Who where wants to bet that if any of it mattered then the prosecution would bring up the vertx pants because tactical people wear them. The magpul iphone case, gun company affiliation? What about your screen saver on your phone or background? Have a gun as wallpaper, bad move buddy. Wait you wearing a bcm trucker cap when you lawfully defended yourself? Guess you are going to jail, guilty!

    Seriously, less tinfoil.

  9. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Badger89 View Post
    Thanks for the reply and the link. Interesting article, and I don't doubt the validity of the points made, but I'm not going to handicap myself with outdated technology - Sure you may be less likely to get prosecuted if you use a .38 Special and ball ammo, but you're also more likely to end up dead because those 6 shots didn't stop the attacker(s). I'll take my chances in court if it comes to that. But back on topic, I'm specifically asking about "social statements" (which is as good a name for them as anything) on an AR that may be utilized as a HD gun, not actual weapon or ammo choice. Just want to make that clear.
    Well aware of that. The commentary I posted goes to that matter as well. If they will go after you for a "modern weapon" what about a modern weapon with a "social statement"?

    As for the tinfoil comment, stick you head in the sand on this one and you will pay a price if you go to court. Read about court cases on the subject and you will see how "tinfoil" it isn't.
    Last edited by Chorizo; 07-14-13 at 22:14.
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  10. #20
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    Assuming the tinfoil comment was towards me.

    I've seen cases where a firearm had markings. Not only did it not matter, but if a lawyer tells you it does he/shs doesn't know how to get around it.

    Remember something, adding molon labe or whatever to your gun means nothing, how many guns like that are out there? Its not unique. Having "skittles hunter" laser engraved on your keltec and then shooting TM well that is a completely different story.

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