Views On Fanny Pack Concealment? - Page 2

Bullrock · October 12, 2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

You may think that, and I may think that, and cops in general may think that, but I really believe that the ordinary person in public doesn't even consider it. And even if they do, what can they do about it, come up and ask you if you have a gun in there?

This is right on. I wear one 3 months out of the year and I don't much give a S what anyone thinks. It is concealed and chrisandclauida2, don't bet your life I can't fast draw with it!

I sometimes wear my little cell phone on my belt as do allot of folks. Is there a large cell phone I should be carrying News???

USP45usp · October 12, 2005, 07:36 PM

News Shooter,

, I guess we won't be able to be friends then.

I'm actually quite surprised that none of our names on the board had come up for the SCOTUS position, we all seem to be judges here and that gives us a +1 over Miers doesn't it, at least we've sat in judgement of others.

Wayne

Sorry, sarcasism alert.

detructo4130 · October 12, 2005, 07:52 PM

You guys know your talking fanny packs right?

gfen · October 12, 2005, 08:04 PM

(heh)

Res O. Lushin · October 12, 2005, 08:24 PM

Here is a good deal on a fanny pack for you heat packers out there

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gay-Pride-Leathe...QQcmdZViewItem

bedula32 · October 12, 2005, 09:44 PM

I used to wear a fanny pack all the time, as in 365 days a year, but not to conceal a gun. I had a lot of stuff to carry and I don't like having my pockets bulging out at the seems. As for it screaming gun as some like to claim - I walked right past two secret service agents, being totally unknown to them at that point, and into a small room with the then 'first daughter' Chelsea Clinton at Stanford in Palo Alto back in '99. They did not know me or why I was there nor did I know who these guys were outside this room I needed to check in to see if someone I was looking for was in there. It was not even the right room. Was not until I spotted her and her entourage that I put together who the two geeks outside the door who stared me down on the way in were. I had no ID badge or anything like that. I was not a student there either. I was somewhat out of place. So I guess my huge bulging fanny pack full of essentials, even with the severely annoyed look on my face as I tried to track someone down, did not set off any bells with them. Sure, I might have had a gun in there but I also might have, and in fact did have, a cell phone, smokes, keys, wallet, 2-way radio etc...

I love the stories that always come up about how, "I was carrying in a fannypack and a cop came up to me and demanded to see my carry permit." Give me a break. First off, I still often carry a fanny pack even if I don't 'carry' my gun in it and have never even had any such incidence and I had the misfortune of living in California for several years as a teenager and early twenties where you get harassed all the time by the cops just for walking down the street. In other words, the cops are not shy about harassing folks and I never had a cop take any interest in my fanny pack there or anywhere else. Even having a carry permit now and if I had a gun in a fanny pack and a cop came up to me demanding my permit because of a fanny pack I would tell him to stop harassing me and to leave me alone. I will happily be the test case to see if simply having a fanny pack qualifies as reasonable suspicion to search without consent. If so, I guess the cops can search any woman's purse as well because she could just maybe possibly have a gun in there. Why not search the trunk of anyone's car at anytime as well - never know, they might have guns or even drugs in there. A fanny pack is not reasonable suspicion for a cop, and frankly not for a civilian either, to suspect someone is carrying a gun. If you really think it is please see a psychiatrist ASAP.

I hope it does scream gun to a lot of the paranoid and half-crazy folks so maybe they will leave me alone when all I have in there is my wallet and cell phone and keys. But honestly I think the only folks to whom it screams gun are gun folks who first ever even saw a fanny pack in the form of a concealment getup. I can maybe see that but in reality fannypacks actually are VERY common and popular in many parts of the country and probably about 99% of the people wearing them in those places are not packing a gun. You can see me wearing one every now and again but the gun is on my hip, not in the fanny pack. It just floors me these folks who seem to think "everyone with a fanny pack is carrying a gun." That is as irrational as to think, "every woman with a purse has a gun in it."

Next some of you folks will conclude that anyone who has a greenhouse in their back yard is growing marijuana in it, matter of fact, simple as that. Well maybe, but certainly not a 'given' by any stretch of the imagination.

USP45usp · October 12, 2005, 10:07 PM

^- I can't agrue with the above post, he's got a point.

I only put my gun into the funny pack if it gets annoying. Most to all of the time it's at 4:32 on my right side.

Why do I wear a fanny pack, because of my back. You all know of some of my maladies and the back is one of them. Can't have wallet in rear pocket, can't have anything in rear pocket. Hate the cell phone clip to the belt, gets in the way and I've no need to show it to everyone. Check book, smokes, and extra mag don't need to be in places that compromise my back either.

Sometimes our preception and thoughts are just that, preceptions and thoughts without any meaning.

My fanny pack may, or may not, hold a gun. At school right now it does, because I transfer it from IWB to Fanny before I get to class, doesn't hit the edge of the computer chair that I am forced to use.

Every method is justified in it's own right, and every carry method has a place, don't short sight one or the other, because you are afraid of what others may think of you.

Wayne

bedula32 · October 12, 2005, 10:11 PM

If you like the fanny pack idea but for whatever reason do not like the look/feel there may be one other 'hide in plain site' option to think about. If you have a smaller gun, probably slightly smaller than the 5"height - 7"length standard, try carrying a holster inside an EMT pouch from Hawke Paks (or similar). They actually make a real EMT pouch and also make a concealment setup with the same pouch complete with internal holster. So if you see some EMT dude with the pouch on his hip imagine like that only you have a gun in yours. Looks a lot like a camera case if you do not know what an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) pouch is and goes on YOUR belt, not some nylon strap. I used to wear a real EMT pouch, complete with some various essential first-aid materials, when I was the only certified person in CPR on a job I worked on briefly. Anyway, that's where I got the idea to convert an EMT pouch but apparently at least one company, Hawke Paks, already had the same idea and converted one of their EMT pouches (yes, they are a real, established, and widely used EMT kit manufacturer) specifically for concealed carry. I even slapped a Star of Life patch onto the pouch I got (the medical cross with snake thing) to make it 'jump out' as not a gun hider. Not my usual carry style but there certainly are times it is the best way to go. Thing looks so totally benign it makes me laugh sometimes. I even have the top of a pair of EMT scissors sticking out the side in a pocket they actually designed for that. Hey, scissors are as handy to carry as a knife sometimes. I should probably also say you don't want to slap a patch on that actually says "Emergency Medical Technician" as that may be illegal in some places if you actually are not a licensed EMT (just being safe). Displaying the Star of Life symbol in and of itself does not really legally mean anything though to my knowledge. That's the symbol folks with serious medical conditions wear on those chains and necklaces.

tel0004 · October 12, 2005, 10:26 PM

As long as you have the right fanny pack, its OK.

WhyteP38 · October 12, 2005, 11:29 PM

I've been wearing a fanny pack (small, burgundy leather) for the past 4 years because of a herniated L5 disc in my back. Doctor said carrying my wallet in my back pocket would only aggravate my disc problem. No go for the wallet in the front pants pockets, where it jams keys into your thighs. Also no go for the wallet in a shirt pocket; makes you look too much like a male state employee.

If wearing it makes me look like a sissy ... oh well. I have more important concerns in my life than the uninformed opinions of total strangers who have no impact on my life.

Anyway, no one has ever given me a second glance about the pack. Now that I'll be getting my carry permit, I figure I might as well use a fanny pack for carry. I have to wear the thing anyway, and with the carry strap around my waist, I'm concerned that the strap might get hung up on the gun if I were to draw from an IWB holsters. The key is not to have some monstrous FP in dark leather. You don't want your belt to look like that python in Florida that tried to swallow an alligator.

R1145 · October 13, 2005, 12:11 AM

I haven't carried that way yet, but it's a viable technique, I think. Lots of cops carry off duty that way.

I've used a "Safe-packer" before. A purpose-built pack should be as quick or quicker than about any other concealed carry, I think.

When it's hot, and you're in shorts, sandals and t-shirt, what are the options?

I usually slip a j-frame into my pocket, but that's pretty weak.

If a fanny pack looks gay and says "gun", what about guys who wear safari vests?

I hate having a pistol rubbing directly against the skin of my sweaty fat belly (for both of their sakes).

I think a well-designed buttpack offers advantages. You can include other force options and accessories (pepper, badge, cuffs) without having to load up every time you walk out the door (grab it and go).

Who cares if you're "made"? You should be carrying legally, and proudly doing so. Anyone who spots you is probably hip to you anyway...

And if anyone calls me a "fag", I'll hit them with my purse...

HighValleyRanch · October 13, 2005, 01:03 AM

Insecure about our male image, are we!

Lets see, it's OK to wear a camo fanny pack while hunting in the woods, but not OK to wear the same pack around town? Did you really care about what everyone thinks that much?

I wear one once in a while. NO one has ever come up to me, and asked what's in the bag, and no one has ever called me queer or weird for wearing in. In fact, no one even noticed. I wore it with enough stuff to simulate my glock 19. I even wore it with the glock 19 when I had a yard sale. No one ever even looked twice at it.
If its the only way I can carry my glock on a hot summer day with a tank top, I rather do that than wear a hot shirt and have to worry about it blowing open all the time. A glock in a IWB on a lean guy looks like a hip tumor.
Now with fall weather, it carrys fine with IWb. But I might still use the fanny pack for hot summer if I want to carry a bigger weapon than a pocket gun.

Nothing probably shouts gun more than a guy wearing an untucked shirt in the middle of summer or an outer coat on a warm day.

CabinJohn · October 13, 2005, 02:58 PM

This seems to be a repeat discussion of an earlier thread, except that the previous one had more of a "gay appearence?" focus.

My reply remains the same, and will save space here, but for those who wish to read it click here.

blackmind · October 13, 2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starscream

Why not just open carry it, most people know fanny pack = gun.

You speak for most people?

If "most people" know that such a bag = gun, then apparently "most people" are completely comfortable seeing a barefoot hippie-lookin' gun with an earring and long hair carrying a gun in the supermarket, the library, in the park, etc.

Do you really think it's more likely that they know and don't care, rather than simply that they don't know?

-blackmind

leadcounsel · October 13, 2005, 03:33 PM

Socially and professionally they are accepted in some circles and not in others. This is easy to determine and common sense.

I think it's the equivalently bad idea as a woman carrying a gun in her purse. If you're ever robbed a purse or "fag bag" is the first thing taken. Now you've just given the BG your gun!

I also agree that the sheep won't know, but police, CCWs and BGs will see through the concealment immediately.

us.armysniper · October 13, 2005, 03:45 PM

My step mom has a fanny pack with a .44 bulldog, but she looks like a man!

:barf:

October 13, 2005, 01:03 AM	#37
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	Insecure about our male image, are we! Lets see, it's OK to wear a camo fanny pack while hunting in the woods, but not OK to wear the same pack around town? Did you really care about what everyone thinks that much? I wear one once in a while. NO one has ever come up to me, and asked what's in the bag, and no one has ever called me queer or weird for wearing in. In fact, no one even noticed. I wore it with enough stuff to simulate my glock 19. I even wore it with the glock 19 when I had a yard sale. No one ever even looked twice at it. If its the only way I can carry my glock on a hot summer day with a tank top, I rather do that than wear a hot shirt and have to worry about it blowing open all the time. A glock in a IWB on a lean guy looks like a hip tumor. Now with fall weather, it carrys fine with IWb. But I might still use the fanny pack for hot summer if I want to carry a bigger weapon than a pocket gun. Nothing probably shouts gun more than a guy wearing an untucked shirt in the middle of summer or an outer coat on a warm day. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

October 13, 2005, 02:58 PM	#38
CabinJohn Member Join Date: July 5, 2005 Location: NW Mass Posts: 61	USP, Whyte, HighValleyRanch and others... I'm with you This seems to be a repeat discussion of an earlier thread, except that the previous one had more of a "gay appearence?" focus. My reply remains the same, and will save space here, but for those who wish to read it click here.

October 13, 2005, 03:45 PM	#41
us.armysniper Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2005 Location: Out of the U.s more than In it! Posts: 248	My step mom has a fanny pack with a .44 bulldog, but she looks like a man! :barf: __________________ Sic Vis Pacem, Para Bellum I will Never Forget 16 Aug 2004, Sadr city Iraq

October 12, 2005, 07:36 PM	#27
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	News Shooter, , I guess we won't be able to be friends then. I'm actually quite surprised that none of our names on the board had come up for the SCOTUS position, we all seem to be judges here and that gives us a +1 over Miers doesn't it, at least we've sat in judgement of others. Wayne Sorry, sarcasism alert.

October 12, 2005, 07:52 PM	#28
detructo4130 Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Beaver,Pa Posts: 51	You guys know your talking fanny packs right?

October 12, 2005, 08:04 PM	#29
gfen Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 817	(heh)

October 12, 2005, 08:24 PM	#30
Res O. Lushin Junior member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 66	Here is a good deal on a fanny pack for you heat packers out there http://cgi.ebay.com/Gay-Pride-Leathe...QQcmdZViewItem

October 12, 2005, 09:44 PM	#31
bedula32 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2005 Posts: 229	I used to wear a fanny pack all the time, as in 365 days a year, but not to conceal a gun. I had a lot of stuff to carry and I don't like having my pockets bulging out at the seems. As for it screaming gun as some like to claim - I walked right past two secret service agents, being totally unknown to them at that point, and into a small room with the then 'first daughter' Chelsea Clinton at Stanford in Palo Alto back in '99. They did not know me or why I was there nor did I know who these guys were outside this room I needed to check in to see if someone I was looking for was in there. It was not even the right room. Was not until I spotted her and her entourage that I put together who the two geeks outside the door who stared me down on the way in were. I had no ID badge or anything like that. I was not a student there either. I was somewhat out of place. So I guess my huge bulging fanny pack full of essentials, even with the severely annoyed look on my face as I tried to track someone down, did not set off any bells with them. Sure, I might have had a gun in there but I also might have, and in fact did have, a cell phone, smokes, keys, wallet, 2-way radio etc... I love the stories that always come up about how, "I was carrying in a fannypack and a cop came up to me and demanded to see my carry permit." Give me a break. First off, I still often carry a fanny pack even if I don't 'carry' my gun in it and have never even had any such incidence and I had the misfortune of living in California for several years as a teenager and early twenties where you get harassed all the time by the cops just for walking down the street. In other words, the cops are not shy about harassing folks and I never had a cop take any interest in my fanny pack there or anywhere else. Even having a carry permit now and if I had a gun in a fanny pack and a cop came up to me demanding my permit because of a fanny pack I would tell him to stop harassing me and to leave me alone. I will happily be the test case to see if simply having a fanny pack qualifies as reasonable suspicion to search without consent. If so, I guess the cops can search any woman's purse as well because she could just maybe possibly have a gun in there. Why not search the trunk of anyone's car at anytime as well - never know, they might have guns or even drugs in there. A fanny pack is not reasonable suspicion for a cop, and frankly not for a civilian either, to suspect someone is carrying a gun. If you really think it is please see a psychiatrist ASAP. I hope it does scream gun to a lot of the paranoid and half-crazy folks so maybe they will leave me alone when all I have in there is my wallet and cell phone and keys. But honestly I think the only folks to whom it screams gun are gun folks who first ever even saw a fanny pack in the form of a concealment getup. I can maybe see that but in reality fannypacks actually are VERY common and popular in many parts of the country and probably about 99% of the people wearing them in those places are not packing a gun. You can see me wearing one every now and again but the gun is on my hip, not in the fanny pack. It just floors me these folks who seem to think "everyone with a fanny pack is carrying a gun." That is as irrational as to think, "every woman with a purse has a gun in it." Next some of you folks will conclude that anyone who has a greenhouse in their back yard is growing marijuana in it, matter of fact, simple as that. Well maybe, but certainly not a 'given' by any stretch of the imagination.

October 12, 2005, 10:07 PM	#32
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	^- I can't agrue with the above post, he's got a point. I only put my gun into the funny pack if it gets annoying. Most to all of the time it's at 4:32 on my right side. Why do I wear a fanny pack, because of my back. You all know of some of my maladies and the back is one of them. Can't have wallet in rear pocket, can't have anything in rear pocket. Hate the cell phone clip to the belt, gets in the way and I've no need to show it to everyone. Check book, smokes, and extra mag don't need to be in places that compromise my back either. Sometimes our preception and thoughts are just that, preceptions and thoughts without any meaning. My fanny pack may, or may not, hold a gun. At school right now it does, because I transfer it from IWB to Fanny before I get to class, doesn't hit the edge of the computer chair that I am forced to use. Every method is justified in it's own right, and every carry method has a place, don't short sight one or the other, because you are afraid of what others may think of you. Wayne

October 12, 2005, 10:11 PM	#33
bedula32 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2005 Posts: 229	If you like the fanny pack idea but for whatever reason do not like the look/feel there may be one other 'hide in plain site' option to think about. If you have a smaller gun, probably slightly smaller than the 5"height - 7"length standard, try carrying a holster inside an EMT pouch from Hawke Paks (or similar). They actually make a real EMT pouch and also make a concealment setup with the same pouch complete with internal holster. So if you see some EMT dude with the pouch on his hip imagine like that only you have a gun in yours. Looks a lot like a camera case if you do not know what an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) pouch is and goes on YOUR belt, not some nylon strap. I used to wear a real EMT pouch, complete with some various essential first-aid materials, when I was the only certified person in CPR on a job I worked on briefly. Anyway, that's where I got the idea to convert an EMT pouch but apparently at least one company, Hawke Paks, already had the same idea and converted one of their EMT pouches (yes, they are a real, established, and widely used EMT kit manufacturer) specifically for concealed carry. I even slapped a Star of Life patch onto the pouch I got (the medical cross with snake thing) to make it 'jump out' as not a gun hider. Not my usual carry style but there certainly are times it is the best way to go. Thing looks so totally benign it makes me laugh sometimes. I even have the top of a pair of EMT scissors sticking out the side in a pocket they actually designed for that. Hey, scissors are as handy to carry as a knife sometimes. I should probably also say you don't want to slap a patch on that actually says "Emergency Medical Technician" as that may be illegal in some places if you actually are not a licensed EMT (just being safe). Displaying the Star of Life symbol in and of itself does not really legally mean anything though to my knowledge. That's the symbol folks with serious medical conditions wear on those chains and necklaces.

October 12, 2005, 10:26 PM	#34
tel0004 Member Join Date: June 24, 2005 Posts: 45	As long as you have the right fanny pack, its OK.

October 12, 2005, 11:29 PM	#35
WhyteP38 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2005 Location: Behind a keyboard. Posts: 1,565	I've been wearing a fanny pack (small, burgundy leather) for the past 4 years because of a herniated L5 disc in my back. Doctor said carrying my wallet in my back pocket would only aggravate my disc problem. No go for the wallet in the front pants pockets, where it jams keys into your thighs. Also no go for the wallet in a shirt pocket; makes you look too much like a male state employee. If wearing it makes me look like a sissy ... oh well. I have more important concerns in my life than the uninformed opinions of total strangers who have no impact on my life. Anyway, no one has ever given me a second glance about the pack. Now that I'll be getting my carry permit, I figure I might as well use a fanny pack for carry. I have to wear the thing anyway, and with the carry strap around my waist, I'm concerned that the strap might get hung up on the gun if I were to draw from an IWB holsters. The key is not to have some monstrous FP in dark leather. You don't want your belt to look like that python in Florida that tried to swallow an alligator.

October 13, 2005, 12:11 AM	#36
R1145 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 351	I haven't carried that way yet, but it's a viable technique, I think. Lots of cops carry off duty that way. I've used a "Safe-packer" before. A purpose-built pack should be as quick or quicker than about any other concealed carry, I think. When it's hot, and you're in shorts, sandals and t-shirt, what are the options? I usually slip a j-frame into my pocket, but that's pretty weak. If a fanny pack looks gay and says "gun", what about guys who wear safari vests? I hate having a pistol rubbing directly against the skin of my sweaty fat belly (for both of their sakes). I think a well-designed buttpack offers advantages. You can include other force options and accessories (pepper, badge, cuffs) without having to load up every time you walk out the door (grab it and go). Who cares if you're "made"? You should be carrying legally, and proudly doing so. Anyone who spots you is probably hip to you anyway... And if anyone calls me a "fag", I'll hit them with my purse...

October 13, 2005, 03:33 PM	#40
leadcounsel Junior member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 2,119	Socially and professionally they are accepted in some circles and not in others. This is easy to determine and common sense. I think it's the equivalently bad idea as a woman carrying a gun in her purse. If you're ever robbed a purse or "fag bag" is the first thing taken. Now you've just given the BG your gun! I also agree that the sheep won't know, but police, CCWs and BGs will see through the concealment immediately.