You should think through the implications of accessorizing a firearm that will be used for personal self-defense. Even if your use of a gun is completely justified and legal, you may still face heavy scrutiny if the weapon is overly decorative. For example, a gun with a pink grip and glittery detailing may send the wrong message in a self-defense situation. Or a gun with a punisher logo on the grip and a red, white, and blue holster with the saying “These colors don’t run” emblazoned across the side. It is important to be thoughtful about how you accessorize your gun and to remember that less is often more when it comes to self-defense. A witty saying on the dust cover of your carbine that becomes visible when brass starts ejecting might seem funny, but something like Black Rain’s “Let it rain” could give the impression that you were looking for the chance to shoot someone. Likewise, leave the political messages and bravado off your holster. And why are you using a concealed holster with a military camo pattern? Are you some kind of commando?

A prosecutor may believe that you intended to hurt someone and were seeking to make your gun visually more intimidating — especially when taking into account controversial artwork. In addition, jurors could come away with the same impression, making it hard to get an acceptable outcome. When looking to modify a firearm for possible self-defense application, foregoing trends like adding aggressive pictures or sayings can result in better chances of success both in terms of public perception and legal consequences. You want to be both hard to kill and hard to convict. Don’t make the prosecutor’s job easy if they want to press charges.

You can bling out your range toys and safe queens, but leave your carry gun and your nightstand gun as they came from the factory. You can add an optic and perhaps an extended magazine, but leave the sparkly or intimidating stuff for something else. A potential jury might not see the joke.

Another issue to consider is that you may be tempted to display your decorated gun to other people. This breaks one of the critical safety rules of carrying: Stop Touching It! Your gun shouldn’t be a display item and shouldn’t come out of the holster unless it’s time to go to work.

The decision to carry a gun for self-defense is one of the most serious decisions you’ll make in your life. Don’t trivialize it by adding decorations. The purpose of carrying a gun for self-defense is to protect your life and the lives of those around you. Adding decorations to your firearm might make it look more visually appealing, but it won’t make it more effective in protecting you.

Instead of focusing on making your gun look nice, focus on being proficient with it. Invest time and effort in training so that you can use your firearm safely and effectively in a life-threatening situation.

Remember, the decision to carry a gun is not one to be taken lightly. It’s a responsibility you have towards yourself and others. So, if you’re considering adding decorations to your firearm, think twice and prioritize safety and effectiveness over aesthetics.