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Carrying on Halloween

11K views 69 replies 48 participants last post by  nmbr5ml 
#1 ·
So, I've been watching The Walking Dead (no, this thread is not about zombie apocalypse preparation, but it for sure got me thinking about it!), and I got to thinking.

Halloween is surely a time where there is an increase in crime. Not that I have any actual statistics, but I surmise that with the natural concealment of costumes and masks, that BGs can get away with things more easily. I imagine most of the crime on Halloween is small-potato vandalism type stuff (anyone else been TP'd on Halloween?), but maybe not.

Do you carry on Halloween? I suspect most of the answers will be, "Yes, of course" or "it's even MORE important", but after watching this zombie show late at night, I realized afterward how jumpy I was at every little noise...

And, it's a moot point as I don't get my CCP until after Halloween, but I began to wonder if, as a newbie especially, it might not be a good idea for me to carry when I go out for Halloween. Surely there will be people that jump out at me, grab me from behind and try to scare me, and I just don't think carrying a deadly weapon on a day where I'm meant to be scared is a wise idea.

Does anyone else feel this way? Or the total opposite, given that Halloween tends to be more dangerous?

I know that where you go on Halloween has an impact, too, so maybe if you stay at home it's not as much as an issue as going out to haunted houses, amusement parks, etc.

If I was a more seasoned CCW person, maybe I would feel differently, but as it is, I'm a newbie, and I just can't say with 100% certainty that I can trust myself at this point. Maybe after I was used to carrying for awhile, but not while it's a brand new sensation to have a gun on my hip.

Other questions:
Do you dress up, and if so, do you make sure your costume can accommodate a weapon?
What if you had to draw on a BG, but he thought your gun was a Halloween prop? Too bad for him, I guess?

Just some thoughts...
 
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#5 ·
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#3 ·
It's just another day. Get up, get dressed, fill the holster. I don't wear silly stiff the rest of the year and I don't break habit on 31 Oct.
 
#6 ·
You bring up some interesting points LaraCroft10. I'm new to CC and just got my permit a couple of weeks ago. I plan on carrying on Halloween. The challange is to be disaplined enough to realize that yes, you may be is little more scared due to the environment and circumstances, but you can't let that influence your judgement when it comes to your weapon. It's even more important to keep a level head so you're not reaching for your gun every time someone says boo. I might struggle with that also. Just remember that the best safety on your weapon is your head.

And no, I don't plan on wearing a constume on Halloween so I won't have to worry about accomidating my weapon. Hipe this helps.
 
#7 ·
If we've reached the point where toilet papering a yard (preferably the school principal) is a CRIME that carries ANY influence in our decision of concealed handgun carry, we better STAY IN THE HOUSE. :hand5:

And if anyone can't "100% trust" themselves, until such time as they can, I would suggest to leave their handgun well secured IN THE HOUSE. :yup:
 
#8 ·
If we've reached the point where toilet papering a yard (preferably the school principal) is a CRIME that carries ANY influence in our decision of concealed handgun carry, we better STAY IN THE HOUSE. :hand5:
Er...methinks you misunderstood me!

And if anyone can't "100% trust" themselves, until such time as they can, I would suggest to leave their handgun well secured IN THE HOUSE. :yup:
And yes, that was my point.
 
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#10 ·
Okay. What are you unclear on?
 
#11 ·
I'm new to gun ownership and have a CCW but don't carry yet because I don't feel that I have enough experience.
So I won't be carrying a gun on Halloween or any other day until I know what I'm doing.

I have started putting the gun in my glove compartment when I drive because I live in a sub division that is in the country so I travel back and forth on dark roads all the time. I feel so much safer now because of it.
 
#13 ·
Halloween is for the kids, NOT the adults. You are only along to protect them, not to participate in gathering of the candy. If you choose to take them to a haunted house, then you should already be prepared "mentally" for the "scare" and be prepared mentally to KNOW there is NO need to present your weapon as it's only make believe. If YOU are dressed in Halloween costume, then abide by the rules you would normally abide by if dressed normally. Bottom line is: Don't go stupid places, and do stupid things, with stupid people...after all YOU ARE THE ADULT... As another poster indicated, use the evening to hone your situational awareness. JMO
 
#14 ·
Just make sure of the situation. My kids are grown, so Halloween is mainly passing out the goodies at the door for me. I do notice that the older "kids," those who may create an issue, tend to come later in the evenings after the little ones and escorting parents have headed home.

It's sad that the fun has been sucked out of what used to be the funnest night of the year, for kids and grownups alike.
 
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#17 ·
I carry on New Year's Day, MLK Day, President's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New year's Eve...

I also carry on Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Pearl Harbor Day, Chinese New Year, Daisy Gaston Bates Day, St. Patrick's Day, Cesat Chavez Day, Tax Day, Cinco de Mayo, National Nurses Day, Truman Day, Peace officer's Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, throughout Ramadan, throughout Passover, Laylat al-Qadr, Rosh Hashana, National Grandparents Day, Boss's Day, throughout Chanukah, Wright Brothers Day and Kwanzaa.

Oh yeah.. I carry on Halloween ... and of course all the other days in between those listed above

(^_^)
 
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#18 ·
Lara I understand the point of your post so I will answer the best I can.

Halloween has become one of those days where stupid things have become more accepted so to speak. With the advent of very realistic costumes and props it can be a very real problem for someone carrying a gun. Even in our small town in Arkansas trick or treating has become somewhat of an organized event with a hayride taking kids around to certain neighborhoods and it is generally over by 10:00 p.m.

At the house handing out candy, yes I carry concealed. When I am took the kids out I carried but made it a point to stay back where I could see them and my surroundings and avoid the places where, with all good intentions, people dressed up would grab or jump out to scare the kids. I avoided haunted houses not for the reason of I would be surprised and draw my gun but that someone would grab me and either feel the gun or dislodge/interfere with or otherwise mess with it.

It was the same thing with Halloween parties. If anyone who happen to notice the gun for whatever reason they may assume that it was in fact a prop and attempt to do something really stupid. On many occasions adult Halloween parties partake in the consumption of alcohol in what could become a semi uncontrolled enviroment and to me that is not a place to carry a firearm, it goes back to stupid people, stupid places, stupid things comment.

If you are going out to take the kids if it is legal to carry then by all means do so just keep your distance and keep your SA up. If you choose to dress up or go to a haunted house or party I would simply leave the gun at home or secured in the vehicle by whichever means you see fit.

Now on an unrelated topic. The new season of The Walking Dead is absolutely awesome. I am so glad Rick has gone into his survival mode and making the tough calls. I only get the new episodes the day after on Itunes and we then hook it up to a TV somewhere and all watch it.

Hope this helps
 
#47 ·
Thanks for all your responses.

If anyone who happen to notice the gun for whatever reason they may assume that it was in fact a prop and attempt to do something really stupid.
This is a really good point; it delves more into issues with people possibly thinking the gun is a part of the costume.

It looks like most people understood the point of my post, so I'm not going to bother repeating it.

I really can't imagine getting extra jumpy and drawing on someone pulling a Halloween prank, but I just don't know for sure, because I haven't even carried yet. I was just wondering if anyone else ever felt that way, especially when they were new, and because of that opted to leave their gun at home.

I heard in the news lately about a woman that accidentally shot and killed her husband because he startled her coming in the house.

And it's easy to think, "What an idiot!" But how do I know I won't be that way? Obviously you have to be 500% sure of your target before you pull the trigger, but who's to say my extra jumpy nature on Halloween wouldn't affect that? Especially with criminals out using costumes to their advantage and you opening your door to strangers?

Like I said, I don't think I'd ever draw my gun if it wasn't necessary, but more than anything this post was me thinking aloud, and being an extra honest judge of myself to ensure complete safety of myself and others.

Hopefully by next Halloween I will be fine. :smile:

Thanks everyone.
 
#19 ·
I'm pretty much going to echo what most everyone else is saying.

I would not allow a calendar date to negatively influence my carry routine.

The BG does not take halloween off.

Halloween is one day out of the year that a BG can walk around all day with a mask on and be considered by many to be acting normally.

Halloween is one day out of the year that a BG can sneak up on someone and grab them from behind and many people will not have a negative reaction and many people who witness this act will dismiss it.

Halloween is one day out of the year that many people dismiss the sounds of other people screaming in terror.

Halloween is one day out of the year that if the zombies do actually attack, they will have a massive head-start because most people will believe it is just a halloween prank.:smile:
 
#20 ·
Do you carry on Halloween? I suspect most of the answers will be, "Yes, of course" or "it's even MORE important", but ... I realized afterward how jumpy I was at every little noise...
Sure. It's just another day, basically, but one on which many choose tricks over treats.

Whenever I'm armed, I certainly strive to ensure it's reasonably accessible with my clothing choices. That doesn't change with seasonal clothing (or costumes).
 
#21 ·
So, I've been watching The Walking Dead (no, this thread is not about zombie apocalypse preparation, but it for sure got me thinking about it!), and I got to thinking.

Halloween is surely a time where there is an increase in crime. Not that I have any actual statistics, but I surmise that with the natural concealment of costumes and masks, that BGs can get away with things more easily. I imagine most of the crime on Halloween is small-potato vandalism type stuff (anyone else been TP'd on Halloween?), but maybe not.

Do you carry on Halloween? I suspect most of the answers will be, "Yes, of course" or "it's even MORE important", but after watching this zombie show late at night, I realized afterward how jumpy I was at every little noise...

And, it's a moot point as I don't get my CCP until after Halloween, but I began to wonder if, as a newbie especially, it might not be a good idea for me to carry when I go out for Halloween. Surely there will be people that jump out at me, grab me from behind and try to scare me, and I just don't think carrying a deadly weapon on a day where I'm meant to be scared is a wise idea.

Does anyone else feel this way? Or the total opposite, given that Halloween tends to be more dangerous?

I know that where you go on Halloween has an impact, too, so maybe if you stay at home it's not as much as an issue as going out to haunted houses, amusement parks, etc.

If I was a more seasoned CCW person, maybe I would feel differently, but as it is, I'm a newbie, and I just can't say with 100% certainty that I can trust myself at this point. Maybe after I was used to carrying for awhile, but not while it's a brand new sensation to have a gun on my hip.

Other questions:
Do you dress up, and if so, do you make sure your costume can accommodate a weapon?

You could always go as Elmer Fudd and carry a shotgun. :image035:

What if you had to draw on a BG, but he thought your gun was a Halloween prop? Too bad for him, I guess?

If I have to draw on someone, I don't care if they thing my gun is a prop or not. They started the dance, I'll finish it.

Just some thoughts...
As to the main question. I always carry, as long as it is legal. Day of the year doesn't come into play on it.
 
#23 ·
I think its just like any other day. Just remember not to pull your weapon unless your life is in danger, and you will be fine.
Yup. Rule #1, really.

For example, downing 4ft tall "skunks" in drag doesn't wash in most jurisdictions (referencing the recent shooting by a resident of a child at a costume party).
 
#24 ·
I have always carried..... Halloween or not. My ultimate purpose is to esscort, watch, and protect my children.

Now, I have fun with the kids on Halloween as well. I even try to 'dress up' most years, but my SA is definatly 'hightened'. However, it also does not dictate my behavior either.
It's Halloween, have fun (even be a little silly), enjoy the time with the young'uns, be safe, and carry on!
 
#28 ·
Wow, some of the comments on here make me really worried...

Your post was clear as crystal and it makes perfect sense. As a person new to CC it will give you an opportunity to ramp up the situational awareness and give you an opportunity to test those skills in a unique atmosphere. This is a good thing as an SD situation will not be "normal" (depending on your normal dailiy activities, LEO, Military etc) I will still carry, and the only concern would be if you are dressing up how to conceal. I carry whenever I can legally. I will be at an event with between 3500-5000 people on Halloween and will be carrying.

Stay safe!

And on the Walking Dead, great show! Very educational! :tongue: It has taken a dark twist and if you know of the books, it gets even darker. "Fight the dead, Fear the living"
 
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#33 ·
I carry whenever I can legally. I will be at an event with between 3500-5000 people on Halloween and will be carrying.
What? OK, I'm going to have to let everyone at my gun club know that North Carolina is NOT the California of the South like everybody says it is. Not even close. You guys are way more gun-friendly than NC if what you describe above is legal. Our CC laws stipulate that we canNOT carry at public functions where people gather, anywhere alcohol is consumed, anywhere a sign is posted, and of course schools, public bldgs., etc. I've always wanted to ask our legislators, "So what does that leave?" Oh, great, I can carry on my own property. Well I don't need a CCP to do that! Ours is virtually worthless. So congratulation on living in a gun-friendly state like CA. Guess we should call ourselves the Chicago of the South!
 
#30 ·
Hide in plain sight
On Halloween I either walk with the kids or hand out treats. My solution was to dress as a 'zombie hunter'-old clothes, fake blood, skull on the belt... and OC (using a retention holster). The neighbors compliment me on the outfit and never realize...
 
#31 ·
Think like the bad Guy, Halloween is a perfect time to rob, rape, car jack, ect.... same with cold snowy days when you can wear a ski mask without standing out.. Now im thinking a little extreme but If I were a criminal and a "smart" one I would do my dirt on that day/night... If your gonna be out drinking heavy at a party, might wanna not or leave gun home... stay with a group if not carrying... Have fun..
 
#32 ·
To answer your question, Yes I carry on Halloween but not because it's Halloween. (I carry at all times when not at work.)

Now onto a few pointers.

1. Once you get your CCW you'll hopefully calm down a bit as to not draw and shot a kid who scares you. (Drawing your weapon should be done AFTER confirming there is a legitimate threat to your life.)

2. If you are concerned for your safety on Halloween stay with a group. (Criminals usually target loners as they are easier prey than a large group.)
 
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