What if a LEO see's pocket clip on Kel Tec P3AT?

XsYang · July 4th, 2009, 01:32 AM

What if a LEO is familiar with the belt clip on the Kel Tec's and they see it and the back of the gun hanging on someone’s pocket? Most people think it is a clip for a knife but since they are aware of it and they know it is a gun, is the gun considered not concealed because they can see part of it? CCW is all about being concealed.

Thanks

GWRedDragon · July 4th, 2009, 01:58 AM

It probably depends on your state laws.

Here, it doesn't matter since open carry is legal almost everywhere that concealed carry is (there is a question about state parks I believe).

What are the laws like? Does it say something like, 'visible to a common observer'? If it's a 'normal person' type test, it may be okay.

Eagleks · July 4th, 2009, 02:31 AM

well, the clip is not part of the gun. However you mention the butt of the grip , then that's a different issue... not one I would recommend in most places.

dukalmighty · July 4th, 2009, 02:44 AM

In Texas the law reads as failure to conceal,It does not mean that if the wind blows your shirt against your firearm and you can see the outline you are in violation,but if you walk around with part of your gun in plain sight that somebody can visually see is a gun you will probably get cited for failure to conceal

retsupt99 · July 4th, 2009, 03:47 AM

I do not like the idea of a clip on a gun anyway...a pocket holster provides the trigger cover not provided by a rention clip. OMO

If you can see the gun, even a small portion, you can see the gun...technically. I guess it would depend upon your state laws and the disposition of the LEO who encounters you for some other reason.

Stay armed...I wouldn't use a clip...stay safe!

abjz71 · July 4th, 2009, 05:56 AM

hhhmmm sounds like a question for your states AG's office

XsYang · July 4th, 2009, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the responses so far. I also think it would be dangerous to just carry with just the clip so I use a little pocket holster on it while using the clip.

DrJ · July 4th, 2009, 09:43 PM

I have a Kel-Tek with a pocket clip. What I usually do is carry it IWB with the clip over my pants waistband about 2:00, then put my cell phone on my belt just in front - effectively conceals the clip for the most part. Pull out your shirt enough so that it drapes over the butt of the gun. Kel-Teks are pretty easy to conceal.

F350 · July 4th, 2009, 10:50 PM

I have a Grendal P-10 (grand daddy to the Kel-Tecs) that I have carried in my back pocket for 20+ years and have never used a holster, 9 years of that riding on patrol with a sheriff's deputy buddy and never had a problem. One advantage a holster would provide is it would keep the exact outline of the gun from imprinting on the otside of my jeans pockets. Most people do not notice an open carried 1911 much less the imprint on a pocket, I doubt anyone is looking a my @ close enough to notice it.

Besides open carry is legal in Missouri so I really do not care one wy or the other.

archer51 · July 4th, 2009, 11:39 PM

As long as all he can see is the clip it shouldn't be a problem, however since your in a state that does not allow open carry, I would guess if the grip is exposed then you can be in trouble. Since your carrying a pocket pistol just go ahead and carry it completely concealed in your pocket, holstered of course.

July 4th, 2009, 01:32 AM	#1
XsYang Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 47	What if a LEO see's pocket clip on Kel Tec P3AT? What if a LEO is familiar with the belt clip on the Kel Tec's and they see it and the back of the gun hanging on someone’s pocket? Most people think it is a clip for a knife but since they are aware of it and they know it is a gun, is the gun considered not concealed because they can see part of it? CCW is all about being concealed. Thanks

July 4th, 2009, 01:58 AM	#2
GWRedDragon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,155	It probably depends on your state laws. Here, it doesn't matter since open carry is legal almost everywhere that concealed carry is (there is a question about state parks I believe). What are the laws like? Does it say something like, 'visible to a common observer'? If it's a 'normal person' type test, it may be okay. __________________ "Trust in God with hand on sword" -Inscription on my family's coat of arms from medieval England

July 4th, 2009, 02:44 AM	#4
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6,301	In Texas the law reads as failure to conceal,It does not mean that if the wind blows your shirt against your firearm and you can see the outline you are in violation,but if you walk around with part of your gun in plain sight that somebody can visually see is a gun you will probably get cited for failure to conceal __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

July 4th, 2009, 03:47 AM	#5
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,392	I do not like the idea of a clip on a gun anyway...a pocket holster provides the trigger cover not provided by a rention clip. OMO If you can see the gun, even a small portion, you can see the gun...technically. I guess it would depend upon your state laws and the disposition of the LEO who encounters you for some other reason. Stay armed...I wouldn't use a clip...stay safe! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

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July 4th, 2009, 02:31 AM	#3
Eagleks Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,686	well, the clip is not part of the gun. However you mention the butt of the grip , then that's a different issue... not one I would recommend in most places.

July 4th, 2009, 05:56 AM	#6
abjz71 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 20	hhhmmm sounds like a question for your states AG's office

July 4th, 2009, 08:51 AM	#7
XsYang Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 47	Thanks for the responses so far. I also think it would be dangerous to just carry with just the clip so I use a little pocket holster on it while using the clip.

July 4th, 2009, 09:43 PM	#8
DrJ Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SC Posts: 30	I have a Kel-Tek with a pocket clip. What I usually do is carry it IWB with the clip over my pants waistband about 2:00, then put my cell phone on my belt just in front - effectively conceals the clip for the most part. Pull out your shirt enough so that it drapes over the butt of the gun. Kel-Teks are pretty easy to conceal.

July 4th, 2009, 10:50 PM	#9
F350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Al Taqaddum airbase, Iraq Posts: 689	I have a Grendal P-10 (grand daddy to the Kel-Tecs) that I have carried in my back pocket for 20+ years and have never used a holster, 9 years of that riding on patrol with a sheriff's deputy buddy and never had a problem. One advantage a holster would provide is it would keep the exact outline of the gun from imprinting on the otside of my jeans pockets. Most people do not notice an open carried 1911 much less the imprint on a pocket, I doubt anyone is looking a my @ close enough to notice it. Besides open carry is legal in Missouri so I really do not care one wy or the other.

July 4th, 2009, 11:39 PM	#10
archer51 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: VA Posts: 6,207	As long as all he can see is the clip it shouldn't be a problem, however since your in a state that does not allow open carry, I would guess if the grip is exposed then you can be in trouble. Since your carrying a pocket pistol just go ahead and carry it completely concealed in your pocket, holstered of course.