A CCW question about guns printing or being seen during carry...

[Dalan]

Is it just bad taste, or can you get into trouble with concealed carry (legal carry) if you allow your gun to print where it can be seen by others? Or, if folks can see the ankle holster setup or it slips out on the floor?

Are you hauled away? Ayoob said he heard a little girl call out "Mommy, that man has a gun!". He looked around the restaurant, to find out it had snagged on a chair. His gun, that is. He said he made his apologies, said he was law enforcement, and left of so gracefully.

[georgepittenger]

Dart ,

I believe this is a state-by-state thing

In some states I believe it is technically a violation if exposed

In GA it doesn't make any diff

Ck your state laws or maybe u have a good state forum - the one in GA is excellent


Regards ,
George

[s&wtoter]

I find that not only is this a state by state thing, but in some states a county by county thing as well. In Indiana we can OC if we are permitted. The only way we are allowed to CC or OC is if you are permitted. (I also feel that this can cause some problems with certain LEO's too, depending on which one you come across)

[DocZeus]

LEGAL Concealed Carry is a big responsibility, and one of the biggest issues with it is the fact that you do not alarm anyone who is ignorant of, scared of, or outright HATES guns. Any of these three types of people can cause you a lot of grief, depending on the situation, and how it plays out if LEO's get involved.

Some states can actually charge you with a violation, others shrug their shoulders at "printing". The biggest problem I see is how the person that observes you printing will handle it, and what they will do once they do see it. And then there is the issue with the police officer who responds to a citizen's call......is he having a bad day? Does he feel that only the police should be armed?

Most states have "brandishing a firearm" laws, but USUALLY the weapon has to be drawn, or an INTENTIONAL display of the firearm has to have been done. These are legal "grey areas", that COULD be utilized to charge you with a crime, should the wrong cop be on the "giving" end of a call. If you are legally licensed to carry, the impact should be minimal, other than embarassment, but it does NOT completely shield you from any type of prosecution, should vociferous citizens, or over-zealous, or even inexperienced, LEO's be involved. There are many discussions in a lot of Concealed Carry forums over just this issue; the main thing is, DON'T PRINT, and they'll never know it's THERE. To quote the overly-tired phrase: "CONCEALED MEANS CONCEALED."

Here's an article about Texas Concealed Carry and "printing", that has some pretty sound legal advice no matter where you are, as well as common-sense precautions:

Issues of Concealment: Printing & Flashing

The best line in the entire article referenced above is the last one: "You can beat the rap, but you CAN'T beat the RIDE".

As always, check the laws of YOUR state, and when in doubt, consult an attorney.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[JohnFox]

As noted, it's a local thing.

Here in AZ, not a problem at all. OC and CCW allowed by anyone, almost anywhere. CCW increases the number of places a bit. I have OCed in grocery stores, gas stations, Chase bank, Mesa downtown bike night, and the Gila Bend Shrimp Festival (yes .. you can grow shrimp in the desert!) without any issue, even walking past police officers. I had a police officer pull me over on the bike and other than glancing at it, never mentioned anything about it.

My first exposure to OC was at WalMart, where the customer at the auto service counter had a beautiful chromed/pearled semi-automatic on his hip while taking with the sales clerk. That was one of the reasons I fell in love with this state!

As I understand it, brandishing in this state is defined as putting your hand on the gun.

AZ needs more pro-gun people, so feel free to move here if your state, county, or city isn't as free as you wish it would be. Or stay put and work on getting it changed. Progress is being made all over the country!

[gearchecker]

Idaho, Printing is a non-issue.
But like mentioned earlier....Concealed means Concealed.

Idaho loosly defines Brandishing as purposfully showing an intent to threaten or cause harm to another by use of a weapon. It can be by placing your hands on a knife or a gun indicating you may have the intent to draw against another person. Or by drawing it.

Idaho doesn't differentiate between a knife, or gun, or any other weapon that can inpose deadly force, as a concealable weapon.
Idaho issues concealed weapons licenses, not pistol or firearms licenses.

Gregory

[DocZeus]

Idaho issues concealed weapons licenses, not pistol or firearms licenses.

Gregory

That's interesting, Greg.....Are you license holders up there allowed to carry other deadly weapons?

In Kentucky, after getting your CCDW License, we are LEGALLY allowed to carry blackjacks, slaps, switchblades/auto knives, shuriken, nunchaku, etc., etc., etc....I carry a switchblade for one-handed opening when opening boxes, but never considered using it for self-defense.....now I do carry a small slapjack sometimes when we go out to eat. There might be a situation develop that wouldn't warrant shooting somebody (an obnoxious drunk with roaming hands, for example), and a "rap on the beak" might sober him up quick enough to realize the error of his ways. But, it IS considered a deadly weapon, and must be used with prudence and good judgement.

I'm sure a lot of the older LEO's here can attest to the effectiveness of blackjacks/slapjacks.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[FlaRon]

I'm sure a lot of the older LEO's here can attest to the effectiveness of blackjacks/slapjacks.

DocZeus


Absolutely effective.

I had a slapjack/blackjack pocket sewn behind the right thigh of my uniform pants .

Out of sight until needed and quick to get to it was a great impact weapon.

I carried one until the mid 70's when they were all but discontinued by LE agencies I worked for.

Using the flat side of the jack was a good stunner. Using the edge side was a cutter and was not the recommended way to use it though accidents did sometimes happen.

Florida has recently ammended it's CCW laws so that if inadvertantly your CCW becomes visible it is not a violation.

Regards,

FlaRon

[gearchecker]

The Idaho concealed carry license covers any weapon that can be legally carried and/or concealed. I have a friend that carries some pretty wicked knives, and a small SAP. He got his CWL for just such carry. He also keeps a small arsenal at the ready in his vehicle. I had to get a Washington State Concealed pistol license because they won't recognize Idaho's "Weapons" license, because it covers all weapons, not just handguns that are covered under their license.

Regards,
Gregory

[WendyZXZ]

State by state and LEO by LEO. You can never tell depending on what area of the state. Here in Texas in a big city you would probably be scrutinized closer than in smaller towns, but in small towns unless it is blatant nothing will probably happen.