# Dog the Bounty Hunter & Firearms **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 7, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696 "2011-01-07T01:48:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/1 "2011-01-07T01:48:22Z")
The other Dog thread prompted this question, but didn’t want to hijack that one. My wife loves his show, so I’ve been exposed to bits and pieces of it along the way. I don’t know if it’s a personal choice, or whatever, but he and his team don’t use actual firearms. They have pepper spray or bear spray, and I saw a bit of one episode where they were tooling around with what looked like Paintball guns. With the pellets filled with pepper spray maybe? I’m not sure. It seems to me that doing that would be even more dangerous than just clearly not having any firearms. We’re talking a bounty hunter in the US, the gun capital of the Western world, and he’s hunting down people from a section of society that I imagine are far more likely to own firearm’s (legal or otherwise). With the paintball markers etc, Dog’s team provides the illusion that they are armed, but if someone they are chasing responds with a real firearm they are sweet out of luck. Whereas being clearly not armed is probably less likely to provoke drawing of a firearm by the fugitive. I just think it’s more dangerous brandishing ‘pseudo’ firearms than none at all (or actual ones) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/2 "2011-01-07T01:56:13Z")
He’s an ex-felon. ---
**Author:** ![Pearson\_Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pearson_flyer/32/7241_2.png) [@Pearson\_Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pearson_Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/3 "2011-01-07T03:36:41Z")
Zsofia nailed it. As an ex-felon, Dog can’t carry a firearm. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/4 "2011-01-07T03:42:35Z")
> [@Pearson\_Flyer](#): > > Zsofia nailed it. As an ex-felon, Dog can’t carry a firearm. And even if he could, most states do not recognize carry permits from other states. Some bounty hunters do operate in more than one state. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/5 "2011-01-07T03:44:28Z")
Small hijack, but can a convicted felon be with someone (in a vehicle or business office for example) who has a firearm, assuming that the person they are hanging out with is legally allowed to have the gun? ---
**Author:** ![Pearson\_Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pearson_flyer/32/7241_2.png) [@Pearson\_Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pearson_Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/6 "2011-01-07T03:47:57Z")
My understanding of the law is yes, unless the weapon is being furnished for the use of the convicted felon. Standard “I am not a lawyer” disclaimer. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/7 "2011-01-07T03:52:16Z")
> [@Pearson\_Flyer](#): > > Standard “I am not a lawyer” disclaimer. That’s OK, I am not a felon. 😉 ETA—Of course the night is still young… ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/8 "2011-01-07T03:58:56Z")
While it might not feel “safe” for the bounty hunter, in reality most such work can in fact be done without a firearm. In many parts of the world police officers only have firearms in arsenals or for special teams akin to SWAT units, but regular patrol officers do not carry them. Obviously no other country is as armed as the United States but even here murder is _very_ rare. Peace officers don’t get murdered at a very high rate, and while I don’t have statistics on bounty hunters I would imagine the number isn’t _vastly_ higher for them. The truth is most people when confronted with being taken to jail will either: 1. Passively go into detention 2. Run 3. Fight back but not with lethal intent 4. Fight back with lethal intent I’d say the % of persons who will do each of those things is very high for 1 and gets lower and lower to an almost minuscule percentage when you’re talking about people who are willing to kill another human to stay out of jail. ---
**Author:** ![Pearson\_Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pearson_flyer/32/7241_2.png) [@Pearson\_Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pearson_Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/9 "2011-01-07T03:59:43Z")
No one ever starts off as a felon 🙂 But if you find that gun in the car or the office, just be careful. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/10 "2011-01-07T04:08:35Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > The truth is most people when confronted with being taken to jail will either: > > 1. Passively go into detention > 2. Run > 3. Fight back but not with lethal intent > 4. Fight back with lethal intent > > I’d say the % of persons who will do each of those things is very high for 1 and gets lower and lower to an almost minuscule percentage when you’re talking about people who are willing to kill another human to stay out of jail. What you say makes sense, but maybe for those willing to jump bail in the first place, they are more likely to put up a struggle (armed with a lethal weapon or not) than the random guy on the street. In other words, by definition a bounty hunter is working with a criminal who does not play by the rules, even after their initial brush with the law. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/11 "2011-01-07T04:11:55Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Small hijack, but can a convicted felon be with someone (in a vehicle or business office for example) who has a firearm, assuming that the person they are hanging out with is legally allowed to have the gun? Yes, as long as the weapon is not accessible to the felon and in compliance with local laws lest the possessor be committing a felony himself. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/12 "2011-01-07T10:52:37Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > And even if he could, most states do not recognize carry permits from other states. That’s not really true. There is a lot of reciprocity between states. A Florida permit for example is recognized in something like 36 other states, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/13 "2011-01-07T11:21:17Z")
But it depends on which state you’re coming from or going to. For instance, if you are entering Iowa, Iowa recognizes all States plus D.C. However, if you live in Iowa, only 16 states recognize the permit. [Play with this map](http://apps.carryconcealed.net/legal/reciprocity.php), it’s a real mish-mash. ETA:I’m in California, they honor only California and only 15 other states honor a Calif. permit. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/14 "2011-01-07T11:53:04Z")
Brian Aitken bought guns while he lived in Colorado. He even… > [@](#): > > Prior to the last trip he sought clearance from the United States Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration to transport three handguns in his checked luggage. This clearance was granted. > **[Brian Aitken](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Aitken)** > > Brian Aitken is an American marketing consultant, entrepreneur, and writer. > In 2009, Aitken became a cause célèbre among gun-rights activists in the United States, after he was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing handguns legally purchased in Colorado and transported in New Jersey from one residence to another. Aitken spent four months in prison before New Jersey Governor Chris Christie commuted Aitken's sentence to time served. In 2012, the New Jersey Superior Court,... NJ cops find the guns, in the trunk, still in locked luggage and unloaded. He got seven years. :eek: After serving time and a lot of bad press the governor commuted the sentence. Leaving him a felon and he can never own a gun again. ☹ I can see why bounty hunters don’t carry guns across state lines. You really have to research that states gun laws first. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/15 "2011-01-07T14:15:30Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > That’s not really true. There is a lot of reciprocity between states. A Florida permit for example is recognized in something like 36 other states, IIRC. Plus, Dog mostly operates in Hawaii so it’s not like fugitives he’s hunting just cross state lines willy nilly. (I know he’s also done work in other places, but the show takes place in Hawaii. So it’s not like working in Charlotte and needing to be able to cross the state line to South Carolina all the time.) ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/16 "2011-01-07T14:23:39Z")
I’ll admit to watching the show a few times. (And it is a TV show, Most or all if it could be or probably is scripted and/or staged.) Seems to me like he mostly goes after drug offenders who are too strung out to fight back much anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/17 "2011-01-07T15:46:52Z")
It’s been years since I’ve watched the show, but knowing what I know about bondsmen, I’d think that carrying guns would be just plain bad for business. Most of the people Dog hunts are clients of his own bail bond business, people he has a contractual relationship with. He talks to them and their family members and friends all the time. It’s a lot easier to get people to trust you if they can see that you’re **not** going to shoot them if they screw up. And it’s a lot easier to convince people to make their court dates if they think you’re on their side. Less effort than hunting them down, too. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/18 "2011-01-07T16:37:48Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Plus, Dog mostly operates in Hawaii so it’s not like fugitives he’s hunting just cross state lines willy nilly. (I know he’s also done work in other places, but the show takes place in Hawaii. So it’s not like working in Charlotte and needing to be able to cross the state line to South Carolina all the time.) Well, Hawaii has no carry permit and has very strict gun laws, which is probably why no one else in his organization carries a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Lips\_Obsession](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/19 "2011-01-07T17:53:24Z")
Maybe I am remembering wrong, but I seem to recall that Bounty Hunters weren’t typically allowed to carry “real” firearms… ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696/20 "2011-01-08T19:59:59Z")
> [@Lips\_Obsession](#): > > Maybe I am remembering wrong, but I seem to recall that Bounty Hunters weren’t typically allowed to carry “real” firearms… Unlikely, since regular citizens can carry firearms in most of the United States. Something like 7 states _prohibit_ open carry (meaning your firearm is being worn openly), and many others allow open carry with no licensing or restrictions. Even some states with more restrictive laws about open carry will afford licenses for certain individuals. For example I’m not aware of any state in which armored truck drivers/guards don’t carry firearms (I know I’ve seen them going in and out of banks in states that otherwise didn’t allow open carry, and the guards were most definitely armed.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-the-bounty-hunter-firearms/566696.md?page=2)