For years, the cool kids all had WMLs on their carry pistols. Unless you had a Glock 19 with a Surefire light on it (and had sleeve tats) who were you to say anything about being tactical? Even now, many keep WMLs on their carry pistols, though I think many realize that it works as a recoil mitigation device, thus some of the ongoing appeal. However, the credible thought leaders in the world of defensive handgun have brought the idea of WMLs being necessary on carry guns to an end. At least for the concealed carrier civilian. The downfall of the WML is that, in order to use it, you must point the gun in the direction of the yet-to-be-identified individual. The hand-held light, on the other hand, proves essential for the gun carrier.
While the perceived need for WMLs on a carry gun have been cast aside, the role they play on a dedicated home defense handgun has remained a perceived essential. The logic of this often comes down to two reasons: first, if you only grab the pistol alone, while jumping up out of bed in only your skivvies, you have the light on the gun. Second, if you need to grab a child, or do any other such task, with one hand, then you may need to engage a threat single-handed with the pistol. Thus, the WML allows you to do so. But, is this sound logic? If you are carrying a child in one hand, and then have to illuminate an unknown individual with the WML, you are still now pointing a gun at an unknown. This does not change just because your other hand is occupied. Pointing the gun at an unknown is not ok just because you are at home.
I have never, in my entire adult life of carrying a gun, had a WML on my carry gun. I have, however, always kept a light mounted on my dedicated house gun, for the afore explained reasons. I have, honestly, changed my mind regarding WMLs on even the house gun. While I am not against having the light on the house gun, preference should still be given to the handheld light that you keep next to it at night.
If pointing guns at people to illuminate a yet-to-be-identified individual in public places is verboten, then why is it ok within the home? How many tragedies have unfolded in which a homeowner shoots their teenage son as he sneaks back into the house after a party? I understand the principles of “baseboard” and “umbrella” lighting, and I know how to do those techniques. I still come back to the fact that, when seen in force-on-force, when a person is discovered in the dark with such techniques, the natural tendency is to point the light directly at the person’s face upon discovery. When pointing the WML at the person’s face, then you point the muzzle of the gun at the face as well.
My opinion remains that WMLs have almost no practical application at all on carry guns for civilian concealed carriers. They still offer a supplemental, nice to have, option on a dedicated home defense gun, but I really don’t think they prove necessary, even in this role. A handheld light should be kept next to your house gun. Long guns are different, as they require a mounted light to be useable. But handguns? Very little utility for concealed carriers.
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