After a self-defense incident, you’re not going to be thinking about how the firearm you carried or the ammunition you used may sway a jury. But the prosecution will. So what kind of ammo should you have in your self-defense gun? Will certain calibers lead those with less knowledge to automatically assume you’re a bad guy?
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Criminal defense attorney and former Wisconsin state prosecutor Tom Grieve says it is entirely possible for prosecutors and judges to attack a defendant for the ammunition he or she used. Some will be against hollow-point bullets, though USCCA director of content Kevin Michalowski points out that’s what police use. Grieve also said rounds that don’t expand on impact, because they’re considered military-grade, may be viewed as unnecessary for a civilian to own.
Attorneys’ Gun Knowledge
Both statements point out a lack of basic gun knowledge on the part of the speaker. Defense attorneys need to be prepared for these statements, as prosecutors and judges may have never even handled a firearm.
Grieve recommends sticking to a common caliber as your self-defense load. Once you leave the “mainstream,” it would be easier for a prosecutor to attempt to make a case based on your ammunition choice. By carrying what can be deemed a “gray man gun,” responsibly armed Americans limit the variables a defense attorney may need to deal with.
The best advice Kevin can offer is to have an attorney who knows about firearms and gun laws. And if you have a question you’d like Kevin and Tom to discuss, leave a comment below!
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