TexasCHLforum.com

There is a thread about whether or not you should admit to carrying. What would you do or say if you saw someone who was exposing their handgun?

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If somebody asked me, I'd say it was my insulin pump.

If I saw somebody else carrying, I'd be forced to make a judgment call. If I thought they were just a CHL, I'd say "your 2nd amendment is showing".

Is it fully exposed or do you see the shape through their clothes?

RoyGBiv wrote:If somebody asked me, I'd say it was my insulin pump.

If I saw somebody else carrying, I'd be forced to make a judgment call. If I thought they were just a CHL, I'd say "your 2nd amendment is showing".

If they didn't have a CHL that comment might get some very strange looks!

gringo pistolero wrote:Is it fully exposed or do you see the shape through their clothes?

I am thinking mostly about a wardrobe malfunction.

In Texas, I'd watch him/her until I was convinced that they were not up to mischief. In Montana, I'd probably just nod. In neither case would I initiate a conversation. It ain't none of my business until it becomes my business, you know what I mean?

Oldgringo wrote:In Texas, I'd watch him/her until I was convinced that they were not up to mischief. In Montana, I'd probably just nod. In neither case would I initiate a conversation. It ain't none of my business until it becomes my business, you know what I mean?

Kinda like when you are talking with someone and they have pepper between their teeth - you suck on your teeth, maybe even pretend to pick your teeth quickly - or to my children's dismay say "There's a bit between your teeth" - or Toilet paper on your shoe - or zipper check. I would want someone to tell me. Most folks up to no good don't have a holster - if I saw and IWB and a shirt pulled up over the butt I would have to catch their eye, tug on my shirt, and if they just didn't get it say "cover check". I hope someone would tell me before someone wigged out! Althought I did get out ot my car a couple days ago after carrying some packages my 9mm but was in front of my tee shirt because my purchases had lifted the hem I guess. I have no idea how long it had been that way, but it maybe explains why the older gentleman really stared at me as I was walking to my car. He did the triple check, not alarmed, just a confused look. I met his gaze and told him good afternoon - I like to let folks know I have seen them.

Tough call. I'd have to take a few things in before doing or not doing anything. What kind of gun? Holster? Overall behavior and appearance of the person. If everything points to law abiding citizen I'd quietly mention it to them so they could cover it up better. If I'm not sure, that gets a bit tougher. I guess it will have to be one of those things where you'll just know based on how you feel about it at the time. If it doesn't feel right, I'd somehow get a hold of the police or store manager to get a hold of them.

Speaking of carrying without a holster. There was a young "kid" (he just made the legal age) in the class I took who wants to carry his weapon in his waistband. I tried to tell him how dangerous this can be and since we were in a Bass Pro Shop taking the class, I even showed him holsters that would allow him to carry in the front of his waistband and offer the stability needed to keep the weapons from falling. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful. I applaud the kid for attempting to carry legally, but wanting to carry in the same fashion as a common thug, gangster, or hoodlum (insert your descriptive word here) is youthful, irresponsible, and makes me question how you will conduct yourself if granted approval to carry concealed.

Some people obviously need more education on this right to carry a concealed weapon. Responsbility and safety are paramount. Should the age change? Should trainees have to show method of carry while in the class? I realize there are several methods of carry, hip, ankle pocket, purse, etc, etc. But should we see that everybody has a holster just as we see most (not all) have weapons. So if you bring a weapon, you bring a holster. I know this doesn't stop someone from walking out the door and doing whatever, but at least the instructors know they got the message.

Thoughts from the forum?

My CHL instructor said we had to have a holster.
And yes, I think the age needs to be at least 25.

I guess it depends. You try to be a good judge of people but looks can be deceiving. If it was subtle and it looked like a holstered weapon I might just nudge them and mention it. Thats only if I'm comfortable with the situation. If not, I'd mention it to the store clerk and let them handle it (assuming I'm in some place of business, or I might call for LEO and let them handle it. Its not my place to Police others.

Pitt wrote:Speaking of carrying without a holster. There was a young "kid" (he just made the legal age) in the class I took who wants to carry his weapon in his waistband. I tried to tell him how dangerous this can be and since we were in a Bass Pro Shop taking the class, I even showed him holsters that would allow him to carry in the front of his waistband and offer the stability needed to keep the weapons from falling. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful. I applaud the kid for attempting to carry legally, but wanting to carry in the same fashion as a common thug, gangster, or hoodlum (insert your descriptive word here) is youthful, irresponsible, and makes me question how you will conduct yourself if granted approval to carry concealed.

Some people obviously need more education on this right to carry a concealed weapon. Responsbility and safety are paramount. Should the age change? Should trainees have to show method of carry while in the class? I realize there are several methods of carry, hip, ankle pocket, purse, etc, etc. But should we see that everybody has a holster just as we see most (not all) have weapons. So if you bring a weapon, you bring a holster. I know this doesn't stop someone from walking out the door and doing whatever, but at least the instructors know they got the message.

Thoughts from the forum?

Yes. Suggest to him that he join this forum, and then I will share with him by PM the number of times I've seen someone doing exactly that (carry a gun in their waist band without a holster) who showed up in my emergency room after shooting themselves right in the their personal business, sometimes tagging more than one "organ" in the process. Multiple holes. Lots of blood. Powder burns in the underwear. Painful massive swelling. Hematomas. Permanent loss of "function." Etc. The only good thing about it is the impossible lies they make up to try and explain just how such a thing could happen. Very inventive, but very hard to believe. Not to mention the lifelong ridicule from all of his friends. "AAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!! Dude, you SHOT yourself in the......."

Does he really want to be that dude? This stuff isn't a myth. It really does happen; and almost anybody who has worked in an ER has seen it at least once.

Pitt wrote:Speaking of carrying without a holster. There was a young "kid" (he just made the legal age) in the class I took who wants to carry his weapon in his waistband. I tried to tell him how dangerous this can be and since we were in a Bass Pro Shop taking the class, I even showed him holsters that would allow him to carry in the front of his waistband and offer the stability needed to keep the weapons from falling. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful. I applaud the kid for attempting to carry legally, but wanting to carry in the same fashion as a common thug, gangster, or hoodlum (insert your descriptive word here) is youthful, irresponsible, and makes me question how you will conduct yourself if granted approval to carry concealed.

Some people obviously need more education on this right to carry a concealed weapon. Responsbility and safety are paramount. Should the age change? Should trainees have to show method of carry while in the class? I realize there are several methods of carry, hip, ankle pocket, purse, etc, etc. But should we see that everybody has a holster just as we see most (not all) have weapons. So if you bring a weapon, you bring a holster. I know this doesn't stop someone from walking out the door and doing whatever, but at least the instructors know they got the message.

Thoughts from the forum?

Unfortunately, there is no test question that measures, or any age where stupidity is outgrown. You either got it or you don't.

Pitt wrote: Some people obviously need more education on this right to carry a concealed weapon. Responsbility and safety are paramount. Should the age change? Should trainees have to show method of carry while in the class? I realize there are several methods of carry, hip, ankle pocket, purse, etc, etc. But should we see that everybody has a holster just as we see most (not all) have weapons. So if you bring a weapon, you bring a holster. I know this doesn't stop someone from walking out the door and doing whatever, but at least the instructors know they got the message.

Thoughts from the forum?

Educating people on what is safe or intelligent is fine and I would applaud any efforts made by private citizens or groups to do so.

Suggesting the govt should impose yet MORE restrictions on our rights is a non starter for me. The instructors already have a lot of material to cover during class, they shouldn't have to babysit people on how to carry as well.

If folks want advice from their instructor on the matter, fine. But I don't think the state should add it to the curriculum.

To be completely crass about the matter: perhaps those who choose to do unsafe things with weapons are doing humanity a favor if they damage their ability to pass on their obviously less than stellar genes (as long as no innocent bystanders are hurt in the process, of course).