I've been on several handgun forums and read lots of discussion on how best to conceal your handgun. I'm confused. A lot of emphasis on not imprinting etc. What do I care? If I have a concealed carry permit and I have a jacket or sweater or fanny pack covering the weapon, what do I care if it imprints? What do I care if a LEO can tell I'm carrying? I have a license to carry? Is this just a matter of being politically correct? I was in a restaurant in Arkansas while on a trip and a guy walked by with an exposed handgun. I believe Arkansas is one of the states that allowed exposed carry. No one in the restaurant freaked out because this guy had a gun and no obvious indication he was LE. Please, I'm not making a statement, I'm legitimately interested in understanding.
Define concealed carry?
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in some states, a gun must be completely concealed: no printing, no butt sticking out from under the shirt, no nothing. you may be cited for exposing it. in other states, where it's legal to open carry, it's not so much of a concern.
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Understand that a big reason for carrying a weapon concealed is to avoid alarming the unarmed citizenry. This has nothing to do with any tactical advantage, and it predates political correctness.
As mentioned, "printing" (not "imprinting") sufficiently to reveal the presence of a weapon beneath clothing defeats the purpose of carrying concealed, so that's why it's generally discouraged, and actually illegal in some jurisdictions (e.g., Texas).
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Truly...it depends on the law of the state....and the interpretation thereof. While VA is an OC state (no silly permit required to OC), there is no legal requirement to disclose to a LEO I have a firearm (if in a vehicle). Other states require disclosure to a LEO. Also, interpretation of various state's laws leave one the impression "printing" is not concealed carry (as crazy or improbable as it sounds).
Generally, I don't worry about printing in VA (but I still dress around the gun)...but if I were to go to SC, TX, FL (where OC is prohibited/not usual), I would keep it concealed.
Generally, I don't worry about printing in VA (but I still dress around the gun)...but if I were to go to SC, TX, FL (where OC is prohibited/not usual), I would keep it concealed.
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No kidding... What else is there to say...
It's not a PC thing. If your weapon prints, some people will see it. Most never will so the print won't scare the masses. As far as not caring about a LEO seeing it because I have a permit and am totally legal, any LEO that sees a badly concealed handgun should follow up on it and that conversation takes time out of my day.
WA is an open carry state, but I'm just more comfortable with a concealed CCW.
why do you not want to print?? http://pacer.mad.uscourts.gov/dc/opinions/ponsor/pdf/schubert mo.pdf because the court said it was Ok for the cop to hold the man at gun point then steal his gun......
this is one of the reasons im OCing more
why i conceal being a large guy it hides very easily
this is one of the reasons im OCing more
why i conceal being a large guy it hides very easily
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If you're in an open carry (OC) state and that's what you choose to do, then that's your perogative. Many pros and cons to OC (search the threads). If you are going to concealed carry (CC), then that's also your perogative. If you choose to carry concealed based on your analysis of benefits (tactical, public perception, etc.) then go to the minimal effort to make sure it is concealed completely. Not much middle ground...either it is OC or CC based on your circumstances. JMHO. There are times I OC (minimal times now) and mostly CC. A small pistol in an inexpensive IWB holster and no one knows it is there but me...and posessing lethal force is a huge responsibility necessitating greater tolerance and de-escalation of situations.
Sheep run scared, and there are millions more of them than those upstanding few who desire to be left alone while ensuring they have some ability to defend against crime. And when they go running to the authorities in fearful tones about the gun-toting madman loose in their streets, the authorities come running. In places that willingly support such aggressive, harassing behavior by its law enforcement community, it can literally cost you thousands of dollars to keep cleaning the legal muck of your head after it has been dumped on you, all to merely clear your name. THAT is why you care. The degree to which you should care will vary by how energetically and vehemently your local law enforcement authorities "jump" when such calls by the fearful populace come in.
Basically, that's it. That's why complete concealment in accordance with the statutes for CHL is important.
Some states aren't so energetic, instead realizing that we're card-carrying good guys, that we're not threatening anyone, that the job is to go after criminals and not to jump at the sound of every screaming ninny who calls in about Guns! Guns! Guns! Depends on your state's laws, and your area's LEO's and what they've been told by their captains as to how aggressively to wield the baton and their force.
As for the definition, it's as simple as the words found in the dictionary:
Concealed: out of sight.
Carry: to wear or have on one's person.
Review your state's laws on brandishing, threatening behavior, causing fear/disruption, and recent cases in the past 5yrs of law enforcement's behavior with respect to calls for "man with a gun" situations by fearful people who want you controlled. Then you'll know how close to that ideal you need to be.
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"Review your state's laws on brandishing, threatening behavior, causing fear/disruption, and recent cases in the past 5yrs of law enforcement's behavior with respect to calls for "man with a gun" situations by fearful people who want you controlled. Then you'll know how close to that ideal you need to be."
This is a great idea. I have to figure out how to search it. I'm in CT. Any ideas?
This is a great idea. I have to figure out how to search it. I'm in CT. Any ideas?
You need to find the specific statutes for your state. They're published. You can find them in the library. You ought to be able to find them online, via the internet, though reviewing with your attorney can help greatly. Keep in mind that the firearms-related statutes aren't the only ones that can trip you up, here.
You can start with the HandgunLaw.us web site. From there, follow the links and references to your state's web sites.
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Don't want to be harsh, but better harsh and learn a lesson, than arrested and learn the same lesson. It boils down to:
1) Change your attitude. You should care.
2) Concealed means concealed. No partially concealed, not printing, not showing the barrel sticking out of the bottom of your jacket or shirt, not showing the butt pushing out the back of your shirt. It means concealed so that no one knows you are carrying.
The reasons for number two are way too many to list, but will vary from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Those of us who have a concealed carry permit and do carry are held to a little higher standard of responsibility - right or wrong, that's just the way it is.
1) Change your attitude. You should care.
2) Concealed means concealed. No partially concealed, not printing, not showing the barrel sticking out of the bottom of your jacket or shirt, not showing the butt pushing out the back of your shirt. It means concealed so that no one knows you are carrying.
The reasons for number two are way too many to list, but will vary from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Those of us who have a concealed carry permit and do carry are held to a little higher standard of responsibility - right or wrong, that's just the way it is.
From the Oklahoma Selfdefense Act:
1. Concealed handgun means a loaded or unloaded pistol carried hidden
from the detection and view of another person either upon or about the
person, in a purse or other container belonging to the person, or in a
vehicle which is operated by the person or in which the person is riding
as a passenger;
1. Concealed handgun means a loaded or unloaded pistol carried hidden
from the detection and view of another person either upon or about the
person, in a purse or other container belonging to the person, or in a
vehicle which is operated by the person or in which the person is riding
as a passenger;
Here in CT it's not a "conceal" permit, it's a permit to carry pistols and revolvers.
HOWEVER...
The strong consensus is we carry concealed. Why? Lot's of scaredy people here. All it takes for them to be able to take away your permit is someone complaining about your gun. Once they take your permit, it can become a lengthy process to get it back, currently about a 3 year backlog of cases, last I heard.
I'm looking for a particular case about a guy who accidentally exposed some of his sidearm while waiting in the "take out" area of a restaurant. The scaredy person running the till saw it, screamed bloody murder, police were called, he was handled roughly, and I believe he's still trying to get his permit back. All he did was bend over to pick something up.
In CT, carry concealed!
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My Florida view: Concealed means, by Fl. definition, "concealed from ordinary sight."
To me that means no part of the gun "exposed" to the eye, no grip, no barrel, no holster. It means nothing about printing, which I carry little about.
I see what could be misinterpreted as a weapon all the time, realizing it's only a cell phone strapped on a belt holster. Why am I unconcerned about "printing"? Because my weapon is legally carried, and I think if BGs notice it, they'lll probably look for an easier victim. I certainly wouldn't start trouble with an armed individual. They'll avoid me, which is all I'm asking for.
I don't feel I need to "hide" anything, only to cover. I am legal, even if printing.
To me that means no part of the gun "exposed" to the eye, no grip, no barrel, no holster. It means nothing about printing, which I carry little about.
I see what could be misinterpreted as a weapon all the time, realizing it's only a cell phone strapped on a belt holster. Why am I unconcerned about "printing"? Because my weapon is legally carried, and I think if BGs notice it, they'lll probably look for an easier victim. I certainly wouldn't start trouble with an armed individual. They'll avoid me, which is all I'm asking for.
I don't feel I need to "hide" anything, only to cover. I am legal, even if printing.
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