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I got a flat tire the other day and went into the shop to get the flat fixed. I wear a Hi-Power OWB, with an unbuttoned shirt for cover. I'm usually very good about making sure my weapon is covered up when I get out of my van. Well, my seatbelt or seat must have caught my shirt as I was getting out. I adjusted my belt as soon as I was out as usual, just as the tire fellow was walking up to me. His eyes got a little big as he looked at my waist area. I look down, and sure enough my shirt had tucked itself behind the grip, and my gun was there for the world (just the one guy, really) to see. I fix my shirt and continue my business. The rest is uneventful - found that the problem was a gash on the edge of the tread, so had to buy a new tire.

Echoing what others have said on this forum - I believe the main thing here is that if you do happen to accidentally expose your weapon, cover up and continue as normal. When your actions indicate that what just happened isn't a big deal, people are less likely to freak out. Having confidence about yourself will convey that your possession of a concealed firearm is normal.

The guy probably thought you were an undercover narcotics officer.

(I have been waiting to use that emoticon.)

- Jim

Oops...You made a reasonable effort to maintain concealment...

I'd say no harm, no foul...

Obviously your posting about it and have not been placed in a maximum security holding facility...

NcongruNt wrote: Echoing what others have said on this forum - I believe the main thing here is that if you do happen to accidentally expose your weapon, cover up and continue as normal. When your actions indicate that what just happened isn't a big deal, people are less likely to freak out. Having confidence about yourself will convey that your possession of a concealed firearm is normal.

+1


Good post, thanks for sharing.

+1 as well.

I've had my jacket blown open by wind gusts a few times, once in front of a DPS officer at the local HQ. No one has ever taken a second glance. This is where professional-looking equipment pays off. I believe that investing in top-tier holsters and belts is money well spent. It adds comfort and efficiency, and it makes your gun look like it belongs there if it's inadvertently exposed.

seamusTX wrote:The guy probably thought you were an undercover narcotics officer.

(I have been waiting to use that emoticon.)

- Jim

It's quite possible. I was 5 blocks from the police station. Then again, I don't think most undercover cops drive around in 1975 1-ton Chevy Custom vans with "Ladie's Choice" inscribed on the side.

NcongruNt wrote:

seamusTX wrote:The guy probably thought you were an undercover narcotics officer.

(I have been waiting to use that emoticon.)

- Jim

It's quite possible. I was 5 blocks from the police station. Then again, I don't think most undercover cops drive around in 1975 1-ton Chevy Custom vans with "Ladie's Choice" inscribed on the side.

Don't kid yourself. In 1988 I drove a 1974 GMC van with a large yellow duck painted on the back that said "Don't Worry Be Happy"

NcongruNt wrote:Then again, I don't think most undercover cops drive around in 1975 1-ton Chevy Custom vans with "Ladie's Choice" inscribed on the side.

It sounds like the perfect cover to me.

The Galveston County Sheriff's office has a number of "interesting" vehicles that they have confiscated, including a Camaro painted with the county colors and bearing a gumball rack.

I really don't know what an undercover narcotics officer should look like. I have never met one, to my knowledge.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:The Galveston County Sheriff's office has a number of "interesting" vehicles that they have confiscated, including a Camaro painted with the county colors and bearing a gumball rack.

I really don't know what an undercover narcotics officer should look like. I have never met one, to my knowledge.
- Jim

You will never know unless you have "inside" information or they tell you. I went from the Van, long hair, beard, tank top (I am covered in tattoos) - to bald head, clean shaven, regular shirt with the shirt tail hanging out, a 1968 antique Ford Truck - to short hair, suit (covered the tattoos), and driving a BMW That was the days. . . I have bought drugs in the "Gibsons" (Old Style Wal Mart) parking lots to town houses in Little Rock. You just never know. Very dangerous life to live.

carlson1 wrote:

seamusTX wrote:The Galveston County Sheriff's office has a number of "interesting" vehicles that they have confiscated, including a Camaro painted with the county colors and bearing a gumball rack.

I really don't know what an undercover narcotics officer should look like. I have never met one, to my knowledge.
- Jim

You will never know unless you have "inside" information or they tell you. I went from the Van, long hair, beard, tank top (I am covered in tattoos) - to bald head, clean shaven, regular shirt with the shirt tail hanging out, a 1968 antique Ford Truck - to short hair, suit (covered the tattoos), and driving a BMW That was the days. . . I have bought drugs in the "Gibsons" (Old Style Wal Mart) parking lots to town houses in Little Rock. You just never know. Very dangerous life to live.

Interesting. And I thought that was just something they did in the movies.

flintknapper wrote:

NcongruNt wrote: Echoing what others have said on this forum - I believe the main thing here is that if you do happen to accidentally expose your weapon, cover up and continue as normal. When your actions indicate that what just happened isn't a big deal, people are less likely to freak out. Having confidence about yourself will convey that your possession of a concealed firearm is normal.

+1


Good post, thanks for sharing.

+2!

JLaw

HA! Yeah, always remember to "act like you've been here before."

Guaranteed - you freak out, they will freak out.

Friend of mine that works for Homeland Security, and lives in Northern Dallas area. His job is to locate/watch/pickup hardcore criminal illegals.

His vehicle? A Chrysler Caravan. With pull shades. And "Mom's Taxi" sticker on it.

He said he was "too slow" to get the "cool cars" when they were handing out the assignments.

~Bill

LOL!

NcongruNt, maybe that guy saw a ghost.

That looks like the van from Scooby Doo!!

Don't tell us your wife looks like Daphne!

You guys are crackin' me up!!!

The Marshal wrote:His vehicle? A Chrysler Caravan. With pull shades. And "Mom's Taxi" sticker on it.


~Bill

Does he threaten to pull over if they don't put their seatbelts on & get quiet?