Do I have to hide my handgun while changing/dressing in gym?

[NorthDallas7]

I work out every day at 24 hour fitness and I prefer to carry most of the time. So my question is, when I undress and dress in the locker room, can I openly expose the handgun as I remove it from my waist and place it in the locker? I am a little self conscious about it right now and there always seems to be someone nearby who will see it if he happens to look at the right time.

But I hate having to do go through the trouble of hiding it too. It's a hassle. I'd like to be able to simply remove it and place it in the locker without worrying about if anyone sees it or not and breaking the law.

Any guidance on this from a legal perspective?

Thank You.

[C-dub]

That would be intentionally failing to conceal. For your own safety and well being, do not do this. Figure out some other way. Maybe go into a toilet stall, where you have more privacy, to wrap it in something or put it in something else that can be transferred into the locker.

[Teamless]

can I openly expose the handgun as I remove it from my waist

I would say No, you cannot.
My reasoning is that you are not on property under your control or place of business (where they allow you to open carry).
What you can do, is take a small towl, tshirt, or other thing, and grab your weapon with that over it to keep it concealed when you are putting it in your locker

[SC1903A3]

I go to a toilet stall and put my weapon inside my backpack. I then change and place my pack in a locked locker. I then do the reverse when I'm finished working out.

[NorthDallas7]

Appreciate the responses.

Let me follow up if I can.

Currently, I do make every effort to conceal it while placing it in the locker. I NEVER intend NOT to conceal it. I usually try to slip it into the locker along with other items, trying to cover it. It is in a holster too.

So that being said....what if someone happens to catch a glimpse of it? My instructor told us a story about a guy who's coat had shifted in a restaurant and his gun was exposed long enough for someone to call the police. When the police came, they did not arrest him because it was NOT INTENTIONAL.

I don't want to have to go to a stall or anything like that. I am doing my best to hide it and it sounds like I will have to continue to do that. So now I guess my question is.....doing my best to hide it.....what if someone still manages to catch a glimpse? Obviously, that is not intentional.

Appreciate your responses.

[C-dub]

The person with the coat was unintentional. Your action, while not malicious, is intentional. If someone sees you they could call the police and you could be arrested and it would be legitimate. Unless you change your tactic, you run this risk. Be careful.

[NorthDallas7]

The person with the coat was unintentional. Your action, while not malicious, is intentional. If someone sees you they could call the police and you could be arrested and it would be legitimate. Unless you change your tactic, you run this risk. Be careful.

I appreciate your response and concern and I will certainly change how I deal with this.

But how is my act any different from the guy with the coat? I fully INTENDED to conceal as he did, and the handgun was exposed UNINTENTIONALLY, like his was. In fact, one could argue mine is less serious because the time to place it in the locker is literally seconds compared to minutes , perhaps several minutes , of unintentional exposure with the guy with the coat.

I don't mean to say you are wrong, I just would like if you could explain how mine is INTENTIONAL and his wasn't.

Here is what another person says on another forum on this subject:

"An accidental or inadvertent exposure is not unlawful. Relax"

Again, not saying you are wrong, just looking for clarification. Thanks.

[Keith B]

The person with the coat was unintentional. Your action, while not malicious, is intentional. If someone sees you they could call the police and you could be arrested and it would be legitimate. Unless you change your tactic, you run this risk. Be careful.

I appreciate your response and concern and I will certainly change how I deal with this.

But how is my act any different from the guy with the coat? I fully INTENDED to conceal as he did, and the handgun was exposed UNINTENTIONALLY, like his was. In fact, one could argue mine is less serious because the time to place it in the locker is literally seconds compared to minutes , perhaps several minutes , of unintentional exposure with the guy with the coat.

I don't mean to say you are wrong, I just would like if you could explain how mine is INTENTIONAL and his wasn't.

Here is what another person says on another forum on this subject:

"An accidental or inadvertent exposure is not unlawful. Relax"

Again, not saying you are wrong, just looking for clarification. Thanks.

A coat shifting while seated is not intentional. You are intentionally transferring your gun from one location to another. If you can do so and totally conceal it, then you are fine. However, you will be in a gray area if you do not make a good enough effort to conceal it and someone does see it. Best bet is to do as others have said, step into a stall, transfer it to an enclosed pack, then transfer the pack to the locker. Reverse the process when putting the gun back on.

[NorthDallas7]

The person with the coat was unintentional. Your action, while not malicious, is intentional. If someone sees you they could call the police and you could be arrested and it would be legitimate. Unless you change your tactic, you run this risk. Be careful.

I appreciate your response and concern and I will certainly change how I deal with this.

But how is my act any different from the guy with the coat? I fully INTENDED to conceal as he did, and the handgun was exposed UNINTENTIONALLY, like his was. In fact, one could argue mine is less serious because the time to place it in the locker is literally seconds compared to minutes , perhaps several minutes , of unintentional exposure with the guy with the coat.

I don't mean to say you are wrong, I just would like if you could explain how mine is INTENTIONAL and his wasn't.

Here is what another person says on another forum on this subject:

"An accidental or inadvertent exposure is not unlawful. Relax"

Again, not saying you are wrong, just looking for clarification. Thanks.

A coat shifting while seated is not intentional. You are intentionally transferring your gun from one location to another. If you can do so and totally conceal it, then you are fine. However, you will be in a gray area if you do not make a good enough effort to conceal it and someone does see it. Best bet is to do as others have said, step into a stall, transfer it to an enclosed pack, then transfer the pack to the locker. Reverse the process when putting the gun back on.

Ok, glad I asked. I see I need to play it safe and virtually eliminate the chance of it being exposed. Thanks all....appreciate it.

[CC Italian]

Sorry but I just have to say that I love your new avatar Keith. Awesome!

[tomtexan]

Another thing to consider is that if someone did happen to catch a glimpse of it while you were in the process of transferring, they may complain to the management thus prompting the possibility of a 30.06 sign soon after and then you couldn't carry there at all.

[ClarkLZeuss]

Another option to consider, as far as transferring it into your locker, is putting it in your gym bag before you get out of your car. I do something similar on occasion: I almost always have my computer bag with me, so if I am ever in a situation where I have to lift my shirt up (like at a doctor) I put my gun in a small outer pocket on my bag that fits it perfectly, and makes it quickly accessible, too. Then there's no reason to worry someone will see it, but it's just as easily at my fingertips if there's trouble (mind you, it's still in a holster).

[C-dub]

can I openly expose the handgun as I remove it from my waist and place it in the locker?

ClarkLZeuss, that is a good idea about making the transfer to another bag before exiting the vehicle. I wondered about that after shutting down last night.

ND7, we are all basing our responses on this line from your OP. If you do this and you are the only person in the room then you are fine. However, if you are the only person in the room and at just the right moment someone else walks in and sees your gun you could be taking a ride. To you, it was an accident that they entered the room and saw your gun, but you did intentionally unconceal it in a relatively public place that you do not own and is not under your control.

Would you do this once in side the place near the front desk if you thought no one was looking? Being in a locker room, while slightly more private, is basically the same situation.

[RPBrown]

Another option to consider, as far as transferring it into your locker, is putting it in your gym bag before you get out of your car. I do something similar on occasion: I almost always have my computer bag with me, so if I am ever in a situation where I have to lift my shirt up (like at a doctor) I put my gun in a small outer pocket on my bag that fits it perfectly, and makes it quickly accessible, too. Then there's no reason to worry someone will see it, but it's just as easily at my fingertips if there's trouble (mind you, it's still in a holster).

[cubbyjg]

I workout at 24 as well and usually lock my primary carry firearm in the car before exiting. I dont want to scare any people and have to deal with the police by trying to remove my carry weapon while changing in a busy locker room. Instead, I have a dedicated firearm in my gym bag at all times. Once im done changing, i just carry the gym bag with me to my workout. If you go this route, try to pick the smallest bag as possible so the bag doesnt become a tripping hazard to other patrons and store the bag out of the way when you are at a particular machine, bench, etc. Obviously this will only work if you have another firearm that can fill this particular role.

Another option, is to wrap a towel around you (around your belly) like you are about to change to go to the swimming pool/hot tub (if your gym has one) and just remove the holster with the gun inside and cover it up with the towel. No one will wonder what you are doing because it is a common sight in a locker room. Once that is done, change your clothes and enjoy your workout.

Lastly, if you kind find a big enough towel, drape it over your shoulders like a cape. If it is long and wide enough to essentially go past your waist and around it, it can create a "cover". Then you can position yourself between the open space and a locker and remove the holster. I imagine choosing a corner locker would be ideal. In this scenario, you would be facing the locker. Then you unclip the holster, slide it around your torso while still in the waistband. Once the holster is in an appendix carry spot, pull it straight up and hold it close to your chest. Pull the towel over your shoulder and wrap around the holster. I just thought of this idea so it might take some practice at home to see if you can make it work. The two towel options really depend on the setup of the locker room at your gym. Im not sure if all 24 gyms are setup the same as ive only gone to the same one for years.