page_title: Ancillary weapon
section_title: Police and security guards
hierarchical_section_title: Ancillary weapon / Police and security guards
caption_attribution_description: English: Kahr K9
context_page_description: An ancillary weapon is a weapon used for secondary or auxiliary purpose, such as a bayonet, combat knife or an officer's sidearm. Through until the early 20th century, an officer's side arm was typically a sword, with the inclusion of a revolver or pistol between the mid 19th century to World War I and since World War II, a semi-automatic handgun. Some soldiers such as Special Forces soldiers whose main weapon is a rifle may also carry a pistol as a side arm.
context_section_description: Police typically carry a semi-automatic handgun as their main weapon such as a Glock 9 mm. As well, they also carry ancillary weapons such as batons and pepper spray. In some jurisdictions, police are allowed to carry a back-up handgun in case there is a malfunction or ammunition jam with the main duty weapon. These back-up guns are usually smaller in size and caliber than the main weapon and most are suitable only for close-range self-defense. Some law enforcement officers keep the back-up gun in a different location than their duty gun or in a location that is well-concealed (e.g., in an ankle holster or in a holster in the small of the back), so that even if they have their duty handgun taken away by an armed perpetrator, they will still have a gun.
  Guns used as police back-up guns include:
  The COP .357, a 4-shot Derringer-type pistol chambered for .357 Magnum, has a compact size and powerful cartridge which have made it suitable for use as a police back-up gun.
  The small Kahr K9 is designed for use as a law enforcement back-up gun.
  The subcompact Kel-Tec P-32 is designed for use as a concealed carry back-up gun.
  Law enforcement SWAT team members who carry a submachine gun or assault rifle (e.g., an M-16 or M-4) as their main weapon may also carry a semi-automatic handgun as an ancillary weapon.
  In some jurisdictions, security guards such as armored car guards who can legally carry a pistol may have the right to carry a back-up gun. This second gun is another type of ancillary weapon.
caption: The small Kahr K9 is designed for use as a law enforcement back-up gun.
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