Taking your gun off in the car

Doug.38PR · January 25, 2006, 04:50 PM

Has anyone else ever pulled up to a courthouse or other no-gun building and had to wait a long time before you could go in because someone was sitting in the car next to you eating or talking on the phone, or some people were on the sidewalk in front of your car chatting, or people just happen to keep walking within eyesight of the driver or passenger side of your car so you couldn't reach under your coat and unclip your holster and put it in the console or glove compartment?

I have, many times. But the longest I've ever had to wait is like 30 minutes

. I couldn't believe it, last week I pulled up to the courthouse but there was a woman talking on her phone in the car next to me so I couldn't reach in and pull my holster out. After about 10 minutes she pulled out and right next to her was a car with a man sitting in his car looking through his notes. Then he got out and went in, but I think there was a car on the other side of me with a person in it. They finally left or went in or whatever. Then some old man or somebody would pull in where one of the two cars that pulled out was. Then a crowd of mexican people exited the courthouse and came across the street close to my car on the sidewalk and stood there chatting for about 5-10 minutes before breaking up to go to each other's car. Then off and on there would be one person or another walking by my car. I couldn't believe this! Every time I would seem to have an opportunity I would reach back and begin trying to unhook my clip holster but before I would work it loose someone would be walking towards my car or getting into their own car next to me. In another time and place it would make a good comic moment on TV.
Odds are people are probably to preoccupied with what they are doing or where they are walking to to notice...but why take a chance? I prefer to be cautious. I treat my CCW as Clark Kent does his Superman identity.

spacemanspiff · January 25, 2006, 05:06 PM

trust me. no one will notice. unless you hold the gun up high over your head when you unholster and announce on a megaphone: "this is my gun! there are many like it but this one is MINE!"

nlrpd115 · January 25, 2006, 05:10 PM

I agree with spaceman. Don't worry about it. Even before I was in LE I didn't care if someone saw me remove my pistol or not. If they do see, wink and blow them a kiss, lol.

payne · January 25, 2006, 05:17 PM

I never think about it because from outside it just lookslike I'm pick my ****s tail outta my pants or somethin. You cant see what i'm doing when takin off my gun in the car fro the specified reasons

TexasSIGMan · January 25, 2006, 05:19 PM

Non gun people just don't see a gun, even if it's right there.

Their brain tells them "that can't possibly be a gun, you have made a mistake".

If it's only a glimpse, they will shrug it off and move along.

I've had many occasion where I just KNEW everyone could see, and I didn't even get a second look.

Wildalaska · January 25, 2006, 05:21 PM

You ought to see me doin the duck down and fat roll trying to get one off..Thats why I carry my Defender on my head

Hell i cant even cut my toenails...

WildbulgingAlaska

MoW · January 25, 2006, 05:59 PM

Try it using a Smartcarry

sjstill · January 25, 2006, 07:25 PM

I try to avoid such places, but when I have to, I take my gun off enroute (at stoplights, etc), so it is already hidden when I arrive.

I feel that even though I do a scan of the lot when I get there, there still might be someone who sees me remove my pistol and mark my car for a later smash & grab.

My 0.02

281 Quad Cam · January 25, 2006, 07:35 PM

Just take it off..... People don't care. I often do this... Just take it off, stick it in the glovebox or what have you. I cannot fathom sitting in your car an extra 30 or even 5 minutes.

snolden · January 25, 2006, 08:02 PM

I open carry here in Arizona a lot. very few people notice that, let alone what I am doing in my car.

Personally I only take my gun off if I have to go thru a metal detector. (courthouse)

gdeal · January 25, 2006, 08:11 PM

Can U go behind your car and pop the trunk? The trunk lid opened up makes a real good sight barrier.

Hardtarget · January 25, 2006, 10:36 PM

I think its best to be discrete. My wife has spotted two carry pieces at different times in store parking lots. I was in the floor with my grandson,(he is two...I'm 55), still had my coat on.He grabs my coat and feels something ...looks at me and says...gun?. Had to say yes. Then he's off to the toy box for a ball. They don't care at work anymore, but they know it's there. I keep mine concealed and with me.
Mark.

ATW525 · January 25, 2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Try it using a Smartcarry

Smartcarry is the easiest. Just hold an adult magazine in one hand while removing your gun with the other. People will naturally look away and never guess what you're really doing.

281 Quad Cam · January 25, 2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Smartcarry is the easiest. Just hold an adult magazine in one hand while removing your gun with the other. People will naturally look away and never guess what you're really doing.

BWaHAhaHAH!

Capt. Charlie · January 26, 2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Just take it off..... People don't care.

I donno 'bout that. Sometimes, they do some really goofy things

.

http://filecabi.net/video/fake-gun-prank.html

nscale · January 26, 2006, 07:00 PM

I dont even have a permit to carry and I carry mine in a holster on my hip every where I go. I try to keep my jacket on and keep it covered but it is often exposed. I know they see it and I act like it is normal. I dont even think people care.

Maybe they think because I am so bold with it exposed, I must be a cop or something. I am careful if there is a LEO around not to let them see it after all I do not have a permit, and in Texas you are suppossed to keep it concealed when you have a permit.

I wonder what they would do if they catch me?

BigFunWMU · January 26, 2006, 08:11 PM

Nscale

I forsee jail time in your future......

Please go get a permit so you don't become an antigun statistic.

Doug.38PR · January 26, 2006, 08:32 PM

Nscale,
while I respect your right to self defense, self righteous District Attorney's, Judges, and police (if for no other reason simply because it is their duty regardless of how dangerous you in fact are) would love to persecute you and as BIGFUNWMU said make you an anti gun statistic.

If caught you will be arrested. It is extremely likely that you will go to jail. I second the strong suggestion that you get a license immediately. Not all people out there will assume you are a policeman (and even those that do could have a case made that you were impersonating a policeman

). Two weeks ago a gun store dealer that I know from church was telling me about a co worker of his who got spotted with a gun under his coat by an old lady in the grocery store. He bent over to pick something up and she actually bend over behind him to follow him down to look under his coat to see if she had actually seen a gun (busybody old hag

). She immediately ran off and told a manager. The manager, cooler head prevailing, simply approached the man and said, "I assume you have a Concealed Carry License." If he had not had that license, that man would have had a very bad evening.

GET A LICENSE SIR! FOR YOUR OWN SAKE!

nscale · January 26, 2006, 09:34 PM

BigFun and Doug,
I appreciate the information. I will have to take precautions and keep the weapon out of site. Actually I have considered the pager pal holster, allowing total concealment.
I am not oppossed to obtaining a permit and have even pursued it, however, Texas law makers decided to attach a requirement (pork) to the permit law that I have not yet complied with.

No felonys or criminal record prevents me from my permit, instead it is a very old student loan debt that has not been resolved.
Unfortunatly until I can satisfy this old debt, I do not qualify for my permit.

While I do not deny responsibility for the debt, I find it rediculus that this made it into the law. So until I can pay my debt - No permit.

When I discovered this pork, I had to make a decision as to whether I would continue to carry. It is obvious how I decided.

My concern has been the consequences resulting in having to use the gun. God forbid. If in fact that time comes I must rely on the old saying:
Better to be judged by 12,
Than to be carried by 6

Your point is well recieved. It is not my desire to be the poster boy for the anti-gun activist.

Doug.38PR · January 26, 2006, 10:12 PM

I understand. Then I wish you well and pray you get your debt resolved as soon as possible. If having to use the gun, a fair and impartial (as opposed to indoctrinated jury) jury would understand too and nullify that law and let you go home in peace.

Peeweester40 · January 26, 2006, 10:44 PM

"I am not oppossed to obtaining a permit and have even pursued it, however, Texas law makers decided to attach a requirement (pork) to the permit law that I have not yet complied with."

Did it ever occur to you that the lawmakers intended to make sure that people who obtained a carry permit were upstanding in all facets?

I was in a serious accident 18 years ago in which a good friend of mine was killed. The pickup I was in collided head on with a semi-truck. The driver of the semi had a suspended drivers license at the time of the accident and he was passing on a double yellow line. His defense was that his license was suspended ONLY because he had a parking violation. If he had followed the law that night, my friend would be alive today. Like it or not, laws are made for reasons, whether you agree with them or not.

You are giving law abiding concealed carry license holders a bad name. If you're going to break the law, at least don't brag about it in a public place.

Doug.38PR · January 26, 2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

The driver of the semi had a suspended drivers license at the time of the accident and he was passing on a double yellow line

seems to me the semi driver passing on a double yellow line is the reason why your friend was killed, not because the semi driver was without a license.

Dangerous people of criminal element are going to carry guns whether there is a law forbidding them to do so or not. Drivers who are foolish and irresponsible will drive deadly whether they have a license or not. Teenagers do it all the time before they are 16 for instance.

Nscale isn't looking for trouble, from what I can tell (and I don't know him personally) based on what he has told us, he is interested only in defending himself not in looking for trouble.

Peeweester40 · January 27, 2006, 02:25 AM

Quote:

seems to me the semi driver passing on a double yellow line is the reason why your friend was killed, not because the semi driver was without a license.

Sure, the physical impact killed him, but again, if the driver had followed the law and not have been driving because his license was suspended, the accident wouldn't have occured.

If you don't have a license to carry concealed, and your state law requires you have one to be within the law, you are breaking the law. As I said, I don't think this is a positive reflection on law abiding gun owners. Just because someone doesn't think it's a good reason isn't an excuse for the law.

tegemu · January 27, 2006, 04:24 AM

I think if I were that concerned about people in the vicinity of my car, I would just drive to a less conpicuous location for the removal and return.

Doug.38PR · January 27, 2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

I think if I were that concerned about people in the vicinity of my car, I would just drive to a less conpicuous location for the removal and return.

Then you lose your good parking place

And besides, if there is a trial or something going on that day, you are lucky at all to be able to get any parking place at a courthouse.

January 25, 2006, 04:50 PM	#1
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	Taking your gun off in the car Has anyone else ever pulled up to a courthouse or other no-gun building and had to wait a long time before you could go in because someone was sitting in the car next to you eating or talking on the phone, or some people were on the sidewalk in front of your car chatting, or people just happen to keep walking within eyesight of the driver or passenger side of your car so you couldn't reach under your coat and unclip your holster and put it in the console or glove compartment? I have, many times. But the longest I've ever had to wait is like 30 minutes . I couldn't believe it, last week I pulled up to the courthouse but there was a woman talking on her phone in the car next to me so I couldn't reach in and pull my holster out. After about 10 minutes she pulled out and right next to her was a car with a man sitting in his car looking through his notes. Then he got out and went in, but I think there was a car on the other side of me with a person in it. They finally left or went in or whatever. Then some old man or somebody would pull in where one of the two cars that pulled out was. Then a crowd of mexican people exited the courthouse and came across the street close to my car on the sidewalk and stood there chatting for about 5-10 minutes before breaking up to go to each other's car. Then off and on there would be one person or another walking by my car. I couldn't believe this! Every time I would seem to have an opportunity I would reach back and begin trying to unhook my clip holster but before I would work it loose someone would be walking towards my car or getting into their own car next to me. In another time and place it would make a good comic moment on TV. Odds are people are probably to preoccupied with what they are doing or where they are walking to to notice...but why take a chance? I prefer to be cautious. I treat my CCW as Clark Kent does his Superman identity.

January 25, 2006, 05:06 PM	#2
spacemanspiff Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2002 Location: alaska Posts: 3,498	trust me. no one will notice. unless you hold the gun up high over your head when you unholster and announce on a megaphone: "this is my gun! there are many like it but this one is MINE!" __________________ "Every man alone is sincere; at the entrance of a second person hypocrisy begins." - Ralph Waldo Emerson "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use." - Soren Kierkegaard

January 25, 2006, 05:17 PM	#4
payne Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: SE US Posts: 519	I never think about it because from outside it just lookslike I'm pick my ****s tail outta my pants or somethin. You cant see what i'm doing when takin off my gun in the car fro the specified reasons __________________ If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. - Sun Tzu

January 25, 2006, 07:25 PM	#8
sjstill Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 108	I try to avoid such places, but when I have to, I take my gun off enroute (at stoplights, etc), so it is already hidden when I arrive. I feel that even though I do a scan of the lot when I get there, there still might be someone who sees me remove my pistol and mark my car for a later smash & grab. My 0.02 __________________ My name is Steve, and I'm a Glockaholic. The primary target is what we call the thoracic triangle. Shots to this area tend to make people FDGB (“fall down go boom”).

January 25, 2006, 07:35 PM	#9
281 Quad Cam Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 937	Just take it off..... People don't care. I often do this... Just take it off, stick it in the glovebox or what have you. I cannot fathom sitting in your car an extra 30 or even 5 minutes. __________________ "Whats the first aid procedure for consumption of coolant?" Last edited by 281 Quad Cam; January 25, 2006 at 08:27 PM.

January 25, 2006, 05:10 PM	#3
nlrpd115 Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 20	I agree with spaceman. Don't worry about it. Even before I was in LE I didn't care if someone saw me remove my pistol or not. If they do see, wink and blow them a kiss, lol.

January 25, 2006, 05:19 PM	#5
TexasSIGMan Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 139	Non gun people just don't see a gun, even if it's right there. Their brain tells them "that can't possibly be a gun, you have made a mistake". If it's only a glimpse, they will shrug it off and move along. I've had many occasion where I just KNEW everyone could see, and I didn't even get a second look.

January 25, 2006, 05:21 PM	#6
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	You ought to see me doin the duck down and fat roll trying to get one off..Thats why I carry my Defender on my head Hell i cant even cut my toenails... WildbulgingAlaska

January 25, 2006, 05:59 PM	#7
MoW Junior member Join Date: January 27, 2005 Posts: 1,009	Try it using a Smartcarry

January 25, 2006, 08:02 PM	#10
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	Other people notice I open carry here in Arizona a lot. very few people notice that, let alone what I am doing in my car. Personally I only take my gun off if I have to go thru a metal detector. (courthouse)

January 25, 2006, 08:11 PM	#11
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 748	Clandestine Can U go behind your car and pop the trunk? The trunk lid opened up makes a real good sight barrier.

January 25, 2006, 10:36 PM	#12
Hardtarget Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2001 Location: Nashville, Tn. Posts: 683	I think its best to be discrete. My wife has spotted two carry pieces at different times in store parking lots. I was in the floor with my grandson,(he is two...I'm 55), still had my coat on.He grabs my coat and feels something ...looks at me and says...gun?. Had to say yes. Then he's off to the toy box for a ball. They don't care at work anymore, but they know it's there. I keep mine concealed and with me. Mark. __________________ ...even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while.

January 26, 2006, 07:00 PM	#16
nscale Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 67	Whats the big Deal? I dont even have a permit to carry and I carry mine in a holster on my hip every where I go. I try to keep my jacket on and keep it covered but it is often exposed. I know they see it and I act like it is normal. I dont even think people care. Maybe they think because I am so bold with it exposed, I must be a cop or something. I am careful if there is a LEO around not to let them see it after all I do not have a permit, and in Texas you are suppossed to keep it concealed when you have a permit. I wonder what they would do if they catch me?

January 26, 2006, 08:11 PM	#17
BigFunWMU Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Posts: 304	Nscale I forsee jail time in your future...... Please go get a permit so you don't become an antigun statistic. __________________ "Anarchism is founded on the observation that since few men are wise enough to rule themselves, even fewer are wise enough to rule others." - Edward Abbey

January 26, 2006, 08:32 PM	#18
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	Nscale, while I respect your right to self defense, self righteous District Attorney's, Judges, and police (if for no other reason simply because it is their duty regardless of how dangerous you in fact are) would love to persecute you and as BIGFUNWMU said make you an anti gun statistic. If caught you will be arrested. It is extremely likely that you will go to jail. I second the strong suggestion that you get a license immediately. Not all people out there will assume you are a policeman (and even those that do could have a case made that you were impersonating a policeman ). Two weeks ago a gun store dealer that I know from church was telling me about a co worker of his who got spotted with a gun under his coat by an old lady in the grocery store. He bent over to pick something up and she actually bend over behind him to follow him down to look under his coat to see if she had actually seen a gun (busybody old hag ). She immediately ran off and told a manager. The manager, cooler head prevailing, simply approached the man and said, "I assume you have a Concealed Carry License." If he had not had that license, that man would have had a very bad evening. GET A LICENSE SIR! FOR YOUR OWN SAKE!

January 26, 2006, 09:34 PM	#19
nscale Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 67	BigFun and Doug, I appreciate the information. I will have to take precautions and keep the weapon out of site. Actually I have considered the pager pal holster, allowing total concealment. I am not oppossed to obtaining a permit and have even pursued it, however, Texas law makers decided to attach a requirement (pork) to the permit law that I have not yet complied with. No felonys or criminal record prevents me from my permit, instead it is a very old student loan debt that has not been resolved. Unfortunatly until I can satisfy this old debt, I do not qualify for my permit. While I do not deny responsibility for the debt, I find it rediculus that this made it into the law. So until I can pay my debt - No permit. When I discovered this pork, I had to make a decision as to whether I would continue to carry. It is obvious how I decided. My concern has been the consequences resulting in having to use the gun. God forbid. If in fact that time comes I must rely on the old saying: Better to be judged by 12, Than to be carried by 6 Your point is well recieved. It is not my desire to be the poster boy for the anti-gun activist.

January 26, 2006, 10:12 PM	#20
Doug.38PR Junior member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Posts: 3,298	I understand. Then I wish you well and pray you get your debt resolved as soon as possible. If having to use the gun, a fair and impartial (as opposed to indoctrinated jury) jury would understand too and nullify that law and let you go home in peace.

January 26, 2006, 10:44 PM	#21
Peeweester40 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2006 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 143	"I am not oppossed to obtaining a permit and have even pursued it, however, Texas law makers decided to attach a requirement (pork) to the permit law that I have not yet complied with." Did it ever occur to you that the lawmakers intended to make sure that people who obtained a carry permit were upstanding in all facets? I was in a serious accident 18 years ago in which a good friend of mine was killed. The pickup I was in collided head on with a semi-truck. The driver of the semi had a suspended drivers license at the time of the accident and he was passing on a double yellow line. His defense was that his license was suspended ONLY because he had a parking violation. If he had followed the law that night, my friend would be alive today. Like it or not, laws are made for reasons, whether you agree with them or not. You are giving law abiding concealed carry license holders a bad name. If you're going to break the law, at least don't brag about it in a public place.

January 27, 2006, 04:24 AM	#24
tegemu Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2005 Location: Orange Park, Fla Posts: 1,019	I think if I were that concerned about people in the vicinity of my car, I would just drive to a less conpicuous location for the removal and return. __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf. - George Orwell