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Last Sunday, I took my daughter to the Texans game. On the way, we stopped at our local Academy to buy some Texans jerseys (cheaper then buying them at the game). I was debating between two sizes and tried them on over my T-shirt. As I was taking the smaller of the two off, my shirt rode up uncovering the Taurus slim in my waist band at 3:30. I quickly pulled my shirt back down and noticed an employee that was positioned to where he could possibly have seen that I had a gun (not sure). He looked at me, I smiled. I grabbed the correct size and headed to the check-out stand. No issues. Either he didn't see exactly what it was, or he didn't really care.

I am interested in thoughts on how I handled this. Obviously, it would have been smarter to just use the dressing room, but I was in a hurry, and I also got sloppy.

Wasn't intentional...you're fine either way :)

gigag04 wrote:Wasn't intentional...you're fine either way :)

Up in that area (depending on which way you came from and which Academy you stopped at), the whole unintentional thing might not really help. Wasn't handog's experience close to there?

I know things will happen, they have, and will continue to do so. I have read things that really concern me about being seen, accidental un-concealment, by the wrong person, wrong place and wrong LEO being ivolved. I do my best to conceal 100% all the time, try and avoid printing to some degree.
We all have to admit that there is risk involved, but me, I do not want to be in a situation that protection is needed and not have protection on me.

Fangs wrote:

gigag04 wrote:Wasn't intentional...you're fine either way :)

Up in that area (depending on which way you came from and which Academy you stopped at), the whole unintentional thing might not really help. Wasn't handog's experience close to there?

It was actually the Academy on I-10 in Katy (closer to my house).

I think the pre-rehearsed reaction in my mind is to casually correct the problem and act as if nothing is wrong. If you go fumbling around in a rush and frantic to cover it back up that runs up red flags. If you just casually fix the problem with confidence, you could be an off duty cop for all he knows. TBH though most people are totally blind to the whole idea of CHL. People just aren't looking for it. I'd love to as a hypothetical experiment strap a 1911 OWB and walk through the mall... my guess is 95% of people would not notice or if they did wouldn't really think about it. If you act like its normal and ok you have it, most people are going to mentally shrug it off. Just my very hypothetical two cents.

Act like you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. If you act nervous, people react. If they react, they call the authorities. If you act nervous in front of the authorities...you end up being a Costco customer.

I think the other responses sound reasonable given this sort of situation.

I assume that you did not carry once you got to Reliant, though (since this was a professional sporting event), and stowed your handgun.

Middle Age Russ wrote:I think the other responses sound reasonable given this sort of situation.

I assume that you did not carry once you got to Reliant, though (since this was a professional sporting event), and stowed your handgun.

Correct. I didn't carry into the game. Left it securely locked in my car (using a Nanovault safe). I did get a kick out of the fact that they were patting down everyone at the gate (at least the one I went through), but the pat down was so cursory that there is no way he would have felt a gun in my normal carry positions or IWB, pocket, and ankle, since his hands never got close to those areas. I definitely got the feeling that the pat down was more for show.

Middle Age Russ wrote: . I definitely got the feeling that the pat down was more for show.

Most are...regardless of their intent.

When I have to go somewhere I can't carry, I just leave the pistol secured in the truck, and my holster in place (I use an MTAC, and frankly, my pants don't stay in place without the extra appendage! ). I oftendon't even drop my spare magazines unless I'm going to the airport for example.

I can't tell you the number of times I've been patted down right over that empty hardsided holster and not even raised an eyebrow...a proper pat-down, it would at least lead to a "What's that?" but it never does.

As for your original post...act as though it's no more unusual than your billfold being accidentally exposed, and it won't likely be a problem.

Purplehood wrote:Act like you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. If you act nervous, people react. If they react, they call the authorities. If you act nervous in front of the authorities...you end up being a Costco customer.

Exactly!

Oldgringo wrote:

Purplehood wrote:Act like you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. If you act nervous, people react. If they react, they call the authorities. If you act nervous in front of the authorities...you end up being a Costco customer.

Exactly!

This applies to more situations than this too. Although it did not work, my step-dad & I tried to walk out on court at the Toyota Center to greet the players as they came in. We had floor seats, 2nd row, and there was no one in front of us. I told my step-dad, "lets go greet the players".

"Are we allowed?"

"Just act like you're supposed to be there & no one will question you."

Well, a security guard saw us! ;) She asked us to go back to our seats, no harm no foul, but I've done things like that before by simply ACTING like you're supposed to be there. It's called social engineering! ;)

LAYGO wrote: It's called social engineering! ;)

What a Brave New World....

loneaggie wrote:I think the pre-rehearsed reaction in my mind is to casually correct the problem and act as if nothing is wrong. If you go fumbling around in a rush and frantic to cover it back up that runs up red flags. If you just casually fix the problem with confidence, you could be an off duty cop for all he knows. TBH though most people are totally blind to the whole idea of CHL. People just aren't looking for it. I'd love to as a hypothetical experiment strap a 1911 OWB and walk through the mall... my guess is 95% of people would not notice or if they did wouldn't really think about it. If you act like its normal and ok you have it, most people are going to mentally shrug it off. Just my very hypothetical two cents.

I agree and this is what I do...I have been accidentally exposed a couple of times (and I carry OWB) and I simply pull my shirt down very casually like nothing is wrong and move about my business like nothing is wrong.

or he didn't really care

Considering theguns, hunting, fishing and general outdoors stuff available in Academy, plus this is Texas, I think the employee wasn't concerned or didn't see it.