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Alright, need some advice. Took the family to Galveston beach yesterday.

Since I wasn't going to wear my gun into the ocean, and I wasn't going to leave it sitting on my towel while I was in the ocean, I left it locked in the car.

Man, I was so uncomfortable being unarmed.

Some of the riff-raff had me thinking various colors other than white, which increased my discomfort. I did take the time to find a parking spot on the beach side of the road, where my car was in plain sight and about 30 yards away (close enough to intervene in a car break-in, but still too far away to be useful if attacked).

What do others do at the beach?

If you want to go swimming, there is no way to carry a concealed handgun bigger than maybe one of those NAA mini-revolvers.

You could have someone who isn't swimming stash the weapon. Obviously this person would have to have a CHL to be legal.

Otherwise you have to stay minimally clothed and wade in up to your knees.

(I do this all the time. I don't much like swimming at the beach, because I don't like having salt water and sand all over me until I get home.)

The beach and Seawall in Galveston are practically free of assaults and robberies during the daylight hours. The cops and life guards keep a pretty good eye out.

If an assault does occur, it is more likely to be between acquaintances who have been hitting the bottle.

There is theft of possessions left on the beach while people swim, so never leave anything more valuable than an old towel or flip-flops that way.

The more remote west-end beaches are less heavily used than the beach in front of the Seawall. At many of them, you can park right on the beach within maybe 100 feet of the water. Dellanera Park is just past the west end of the Seawall. They charge admission, which keeps out the riff-raff you mentioned. They also have bathrooms and showers.

The situation at night on the beach is much different, especially the far east end. There is more drinking and drug use, and violent crimes do occasionally occur. I would not go there alone or unarmed.

- Jim

Hmmm, nobody makes an IWB holster for Speedos?

I thought a speedo was an IWB holster?

Give me a beach without the sand and salt water and I am a happy guy.

Take your Ruger LCP and vacuum seal it in one of those special bags with a Tilia FoodSaver. Notch the bag so you can tear it open if needed. Wear shorts with button- or Velcro-closure pockets. Secure the vacuum-packed gun, and maybe a spare mag, and away you go.


And, yes. I'm kidding.

Skiprr wrote:And, yes. I'm kidding.

Well, you got me.

You had me reading with interest until the punch line.

Notre for the record, when I say "reading with interest", I meant I found your concept interesting and entertaining, not that I would ever consider actually doing anything even close to that. . .

I took my family to the Galveston beach last Wed/Thurs. I carried like always, OWB at 3:30 with shorts and a big button up cover. I had a great excuse not to swim though as I was wading with my three year old in no more than 18" of water. My wife took our 11 year old out for a swim.

I did get to thinking that the chances of anything happening on the beach are minimal, but still decided on carrying anyways. I, like most here, feel uncomfortable when unarmed.

JLaw

...having made the personal commitment to be armed, I, too, am very uncomfortable and very alert when/if ever I must be unarmed...it's hard to be comfortable and relaxed when you know you're in the very situation you normally carry in order to not be in...
if I were on the beach, I would be armed...

I'd post a picture of my Glock which has marine/maritime spring cups in a crossbreed IWB holster on a fluorescent dayglow colored thong but ..... ain't happenin

When I kayak My life vest pocket contains what I need.


(No, the thong was a joke, and when I use cargo shorts on the water a 100% Kydex IWB [except for the screws/hardware] and the other gun in the life vest)

RPB wrote:I'd post a picture of my Glock which has marine/maritime spring cups in a crossbreed IWB holster on a fluorescent dayglow colored thong but ..... ain't happenin

When I kayak My life vest pocket contains what I need.


(No, the thong was a joke, and when I use cargo shorts on the water a 100% Kydex IWB [except for the screws/hardware] and the other gun in the life vest)

Sure it was!

speedsix wrote:...having made the personal commitment to be armed, I, too, am very uncomfortable and very alert when/if ever I must be unarmed...it's hard to be comfortable and relaxed when you know you're in the very situation you normally carry in order to not be in...
if I were on the beach, I would be armed...

But would you be wearing your Speedo?

I was wondering how long before the word "Glock" would be mentioned!

Just kidding.....

Oldgringo wrote:

speedsix wrote:...having made the personal commitment to be armed, I, too, am very uncomfortable and very alert when/if ever I must be unarmed...it's hard to be comfortable and relaxed when you know you're in the very situation you normally carry in order to not be in...
if I were on the beach, I would be armed...

But would you be wearing your Speedo?

...it all Depends...

Good question. Salt water and guns are not a good combo however there is some rough stuff in Galveston. A gun in the car and parked far away is not going to do you a lot of good. I'm headed to Port Aransas in a week and am undecided.