Concealed Carry...ALL the time?

[Sunday]

The way I always viewed it, is that if I do not carry even off duty, then I am letting my family and my community down. As a LEO, we are trained to deal with situations and confrontations up to and including deadly encounters. I would be ashamed of myself if I were to put myself, my family and or my community in a position where I could have saved even a single life but didn't simply because I didn't feel like carrying. I could not live with myself knowing that I have the training and tools to keep those around me safe but didn't because I chose not to even (i.e.) just that one time that I ran to the gas station for a bag of ice.

I am a citizen with a permit and unlike a cop I will run and hide/ avoid as possible. IMO Being a cop is beyond me .

[Sunday]

I realize having a gun may not make a difference in all circumsataces but a gun potentially can be an asset.

[TXDARKHORSE361]

A good family friend is a TX DPS officer and always carries a smaller caliber revolver on his ankle off duty, not sure what he does on his days that he wears shorts but I'm sure he goes the waist holster route. I'll be able to post more from personal experience after I'm living back in TX and a proud CC holder.

[Kerplow]

I'm not an LEO and I don't live in a county that issues, but I have contemplated carrying whilst on hunting trips. As none of my pistols are compact in any way and I don't wear huge baggy clothing, I was considering an underarm style holster. Now, we've all been taught to keep our muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and I like that idea, which is what bothers me about the underarm holster as the ones I have seen have the muzzle pointing behind you. Does this seems strange to anyone else? What makes this an acceptable form of carry if you are inadvertently sweeping everyone around you? I know guns don't typically discharge by themselves, but it seems most holsters stick with the idea of pointing the muzzle towards the ground. Does anyone make an underarm holster that doesn't leave the muzzle pointing at whatever is behind you?

[Notorious]

It is fine to defend your life in the Bible.

I carry to church all the time... the pastor seemed to be disturbed a bit by it and asked if it was necessary and I told him it absolutely was necessary. What am I going to do? Lock it up in the car while I was inside and hope that nothing happens during the services? That would be more irresponsible to let it out of my sight.

[Bodei]

I was told once by someone that they carry their gun when they take a shower or bath. They put it in a zip lock bag so it doesn't get wet. Is that recommended? Does anyone here do that?

Thanks again for your input!

That person would be a little too paranoid.

[tanksoldier]

Here in Colorado the only two places I don't carry are my doctor and my acupuncturist.

You're better off with a knife than an O2 dependent weapon unterwasser.

Gunpowder includes an oxidizer. It will fire underwater. Bullet won't go far, but the gun will fire.

[chsk9]

That person would be a little too paranoid.

The only reason I'm paranoid is because everyone's against me!

[MAC USMC]

CAMERA BAG = GUN BAG

Some very interesting comments on this topic. I'm retired from Police work for 15 years, worked the job well over 30 years and am now well seasoned at age 77. I am almost always armed and feel good about it. I carry in a holster, but frequently utilize an innocent looking camera bag. It is tough black nylon, well padded on the inside, has neat pockets, with both velcro and those large plastic clips.

I carry a loaded HK .45C, one extra mag, my wallet with ID, pens, and miscellaneous stuff in the bag. I can quickly unfasten it, grip the pistol easily and be all set. At times I switch to a 9mm Sig or .380 Sig based upon where I'm going, weather, etc. Yep, I shoot these weapons regularly and am quite "capable".

The camera bag carry concept works very well since everyone quickly identifies its' normal purpose. Lots of folks carry camera bags these days so it draws no attention. I just look like an old, vulnerable guy who might be an easy mark which is OK with me. Again, I AM "capable" and would make a P--s poor victim!

[Notorious]

That person would be a little too paranoid.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

[dart368]

Thank you all for your input!

[kimber_ss]

Not a LEO, I carry 99.9%, sometimes I take the risk of going to the post office without it. You never know where the situations going to be though. I was confronted while inside a Burger King last week by a guy who asked me if I was a cop. I said, "I decline to answer your question sir" and he said "Why are you guys always following me?" I answered, "I have never seen you before in my life". "If someones following you, it definitely isn't me." He brushed past me in a huff and walked outside, as I kept my eyes glued on him.

It made me nervous that he might have had a gun or a knife and possibly be a paranoid schizophrenic. I didn't make any move for my weapon, but I did run a "mental drill" of what I would have to do if attacked. Thank god "that" was not on the days agenda. Haven't seen him since.

[dougtoni]

I am a firm believer in haveing one and not needing it, then needing one and not having one. It helps to have diffent size handguns. Dress around ur gun. Doesnt really matter how u carry it as long as u have one. Just experiment with different whys and find out what works for you.

[Librarian]

I'm not an LEO and I don't live in a county that issues, but I have contemplated carrying whilst on hunting trips. As none of my pistols are compact in any way and I don't wear huge baggy clothing, I was considering an underarm style holster. Now, we've all been taught to keep our muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and I like that idea, which is what bothers me about the underarm holster as the ones I have seen have the muzzle pointing behind you. Does this seems strange to anyone else? What makes this an acceptable form of carry if you are inadvertently sweeping everyone around you? I know guns don't typically discharge by themselves, but it seems most holsters stick with the idea of pointing the muzzle towards the ground. Does anyone make an underarm holster that doesn't leave the muzzle pointing at whatever is behind you?

There are muzzle-down (AKA 'vertical') shoulder holsters; for example

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=3327&CatalogID=2