What is a belt holster

[C-dub]

Do I spy with my little eye... a paddle holster showing under "Example of Holsters -> Belt Holster" ?!
http://www.dps.texas.gov/RSD/CHL/docume ... lsters.pdf

Looks like that holster (safariland?) is a paddle holster with additional loops for a belt (and it looks like the belt is holding it up).
However, the Serpa on page 11 (Automatic Restraint) definitely looks like the paddle only is being used (belt is not supporting the holster).
Good find!

I've been using sportster serpa holster for many years. While it doesn't require a belt, it does have two clips that grab onto a belt to help keep it from coming off. It is designed to be worn with a belt, but a belt is not required. I doubt any LEO would have a problem with this holster and do anything about it.

[mojo84]

Thinking of this. It even comes with it"s own "shoulder holster". I'll also win the caliber war.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y

[GlassG19]

One of the concerns is that the holster industry itself distinguishes between a belt holster and a paddle holster. These are clearly two different animals.

Let's reverse the thought. What if the legislature had specified that the holsters for open carry had to be a shoulder or paddle holster? What kind of conversation would we be having then? It is we who are trying to make a paddle holster fit into the definition of a belt holster. If it were the other way around would we even trying to convince ourselves that a belt holster is really a paddle holster?

What we are doing is making an assumption that when the legislature said belt holster they really didn't mean that as a distinctive type as does the holster industry, but rather meant any ole holster that is carried somewhere over, on, or in the vicinity of the belt.

I wouldn't be so sure that distinction doesn't matter.

tex

I don't agree with those statements. Fobus reviews - and I've also seen it on their sites - say that the paddle holster is just that, a holster. They indicate that it is worn at the waistband, clipped over that -- and if you have a belt there, then it is clearly using the belt for support. Fobus also sells an attachment that fits every Fobus that also allows for your belt to be threaded through it. A paddle holster without the threaded belt clip allows you to easily attach or detach the holster, or adjust the position, without having to remove your belt. But those are the options - clipped over your belt or threaded the belt through.

I think that you're making an assumption about what was said and what was intended. For example, they said shoulder holster as an alternative. But as was pointed out here during one of the many other discussions about this topic, a shoulder harness doesn't **have** to be a particular kind of a harness so much as an indication of where it is worn. You could duck tape it to your shoulder, then you have a shoulder harness. There is no definition of what a harness is - meaning that they didn't say what a belt holder is or what a shoulder holster is.

My point is that it seems clear to me that the intent was that belt or shoulder referred to the location, and not the kind of harness. At your shoulder, or at your belt which distinguishes that from having a gun or guns strapped all over your body by those who would think that was okay to do. That is at least how I read the law and what I take away from what seems to be a very simple understanding of the words there.

[GlassG19]

[oljames3]

One of the concerns is that the holster industry itself distinguishes between a belt holster and a paddle holster. These are clearly two different animals.

Let's reverse the thought. What if the legislature had specified that the holsters for open carry had to be a shoulder or paddle holster? What kind of conversation would we be having then? It is we who are trying to make a paddle holster fit into the definition of a belt holster. If it were the other way around would we even trying to convince ourselves that a belt holster is really a paddle holster?

What we are doing is making an assumption that when the legislature said belt holster they really didn't mean that as a distinctive type as does the holster industry, but rather meant any ole holster that is carried somewhere over, on, or in the vicinity of the belt.

I wouldn't be so sure that distinction doesn't matter.

tex

I don't agree with those statements. Fobus reviews - and I've also seen it on their sites - say that the paddle holster is just that, a holster. They indicate that it is worn at the waistband, clipped over that -- and if you have a belt there, then it is clearly using the belt for support. Fobus also sells an attachment that fits every Fobus that also allows for your belt to be threaded through it. A paddle holster without the threaded belt clip allows you to easily attach or detach the holster, or adjust the position, without having to remove your belt. But those are the options - clipped over your belt or threaded the belt through.

I think that you're making an assumption about what was said and what was intended. For example, they said shoulder holster as an alternative. But as was pointed out here during one of the many other discussions about this topic, a shoulder harness doesn't **have** to be a particular kind of a harness so much as an indication of where it is worn. You could duck tape it to your shoulder, then you have a shoulder harness. There is no definition of what a harness is - meaning that they didn't say what a belt holder is or what a shoulder holster is.

My point is that it seems clear to me that the intent was that belt or shoulder referred to the location, and not the kind of harness. At your shoulder, or at your belt which distinguishes that from having a gun or guns strapped all over your body by those who would think that was okay to do. That is at least how I read the law and what I take away from what seems to be a very simple understanding of the words there.

I've watched both of the Houston PD presentations, the Abilene PD presentation, graduated from my city's Citizen's Police Academy, and discussed holsters thoroughly with my city's PD Chiefs and officers. You can google the Houston and Abilene presentations. The consensus is that if it looks like a holster and does the job of a holster, it is a holster. Make your choice and carry on 1/1/16. Pick something with which you are comfortable and carry. Be as conservative as you wish. Watch what happens. Just don't let these concerns keep you from carrying.