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I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:11 pm
by karder
I think this is my first "moron" story since I got my CHL.
I work a freelance job on Saturdays, and was at my office last weekend, about two hours into my work when I get a frantic call from my wife. There was a medical emergency at her mom's house and everyone was in total "freak out" mode. My wife tells me she is on her way over, but wants me to get there ASAP.

The adrenaline is pumping because I can't tell how bad things are, so I grab my stuff and jump on my motorcycle to head over there. I am trying to get there fast, but not get stopped. Of course, as soon as I pull out of the parking lot, a police car rolls up on my tail. I am cruising along at the speed limit and waiting for him to turn off or pass. After about a mile, he turns down another road.

Cool, I start to speed up but come up to a stop light with a sheriff's car sitting there. Wait through the light and he goes another way. I speed up as much as safe and make my way all the way across town. I get to my mother-in-law's house and start taking care of everyone when it occurs to me...I left my jacket at work. I have been riding across town with a 1911 in an OWB paddle holster and no jacket!!! Somehow, I rode past two police cars and all the way across town and no one seemed to notice. Heck, when I got to my mother-in-laws house, no one there noticed either!!!

I think I got very lucky. I will definitely not be making that mistake again and let myself get so distracted I forget that I am carrying. I was too embarrassed to post it originally, but thought some of you might one day be in similar circumstances so it can be a learning experience.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:40 pm
by GeekwithaGun
:eek6 :nono:

Hope you MIL is ok.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:42 pm
by DONT TREAD ON ME
very lucky!

This is a great story to go against the Antis...obviously a gun in the open does not incite panic. Heck, the police did not even notice.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 3:03 pm
by Rex B
They probably figured you were a LEO

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 3:04 pm
by shortysboy09
Rex B wrote:They probably figured you were a LEO
My thoughts exactly.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 5:55 pm
by bdickens
So much for any concerns you might have about printing!

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:52 pm
by joe817
Karder, I hope the person at MIL's house is ok. Sorry to hear that. Please keep us posted.

And relieved that your foo pa pa (yeah I know, I don't know how to spell it. whatever. you all know what I'm talking about), was overlooked/ignored/noticed but 'who cares' & 'so what' by the LEO's.

I sometimes wonder that due to our hypersensitivity of carrying, that we practice 'overkill' with regards to concealing. I mean I'm certainly aware of the need to conceal, and make a concerted and good faith effort to do so. But I don't freak out if I accidentally 'exposed' my gun.

I do wish I could find a group or 4 or 5 off duty LEO's to talk to in an informal atmosphere, who'd be willing to talk frankly(and not Shirley) and get their ideas about a myriad of issues that concern us as CHL holders, in general. DPS troopers would be neat to talk to but I think I know what they'd say.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:07 pm
by The Annoyed Man
joe817 wrote:And relieved that your foo pa pa (yeah I know, I don't know how to spell it. whatever. you all know what I'm talking about)
It's "faux pas." :smilelol5:

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:39 pm
by karder
Thanks for the good wishes geekwagun and Joe817. My mother-in-law had an elderly aunt staying with her, who passed away. The lady was nearly 90, but was very vibrant. She apparently said she did not feel well and sat down on the couch and passed. While that is actually a really good way to go, it was extremely unsettling to my MIL and to the grandkids who were there and witnessed it. It was as unexpected as the passing of a 90 year old can be I suppose. Everyone is doing well though and we are celebrating the long and productive life that the lady had.

Thanks for the good thoughts friends

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:30 am
by USA1
karder, I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your family member.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:33 am
by joe817
I'm sorry to hear of her passing. I pray the Lord gives the family strength in this time of need. And the comfort knowing she's with Father.

And thank you for being there. :tiphat:

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:11 pm
by DONT TREAD ON ME
karder,
sorry to hear the bad news. Your family is in our prayers.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:40 pm
by PeteCamp
I'm glad to hear things are going well. Our prayers go out to your family.
Somehow, I rode past two police cars and all the way across town and no one seemed to notice. Heck, when I got to my mother-in-laws house, no one there noticed either!!!
Can't resist. Did the 1911 fall out? :smilelol5:

God bless.

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:13 am
by blackdog8200
First, I am sorry for your loss.

My mother always told me, "Act like you own the place and no one will notice." I think for most people that see a gun worn exposed in a holster assume that you are supposed to have it. Now a ski mask might draw some suspicion ;-)

If you do accidentally expose your weapon, calmly cover it back up and stay cool. Chances are no one saw it, if they did they will assume you are supposed to have it. You can always put a finger in your ear and talk into your wrist as you leave....let them guess the rest.

On a crowded street in Brugges this summer, my kids spotted a security team for somebody. We never saw the principal but the team had at least two guys, 5.11 pants, jackets and sunglasses and ear pieces...heads on a swivel...looked like Blackwater guys you see on TV. We sat back and watched them move through the crowd, jackets bulged with hardware and NOBODY seemed to notice them. Point is, they acted like they were supposed to be there.

Be safe!

Re: I can't believe I did that

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:51 am
by frazzled
karder wrote:Thanks for the good wishes geekwagun and Joe817. My mother-in-law had an elderly aunt staying with her, who passed away. The lady was nearly 90, but was very vibrant. She apparently said she did not feel well and sat down on the couch and passed. While that is actually a really good way to go, it was extremely unsettling to my MIL and to the grandkids who were there and witnessed it. It was as unexpected as the passing of a 90 year old can be I suppose. Everyone is doing well though and we are celebrating the long and productive life that the lady had.

Thanks for the good thoughts friends
You know thats probably one of the few good ways to go I've heard of. A prayer for the family sent.