Off body carry!

[NYlakesider]

One of my wife's friends called up and had a conversation with Mrs Lakesider. She is licensed to carry in this state and in fact carries a lot. She is a petite woman (mid 50s) and mostly carries in her pocketbook, its one of the ones designed for carry.

She was at a restaurant yesterday with a couple of her friends and as one of the others picked up the whole tab, when the meal was over left her bag hanging on the seat back.

According to her it took her a couple hours to realize she did not have her bag and of course her little pistol. Her cell phone in the bag so she was incommunicado. Returned to the restaurant and the manager recognized her and gave her bag to her. He said as a rule we do not open items like that until after we close so we did not know who to contact.

She thanked him and rewarded the busboy that found it and the manage did remark it was a bit heavy. She left the place and all was well.

Situations like this are the reason I'm loath to recommend off body carry unless its the only resort.

PS as this was NYS a good chance due to the gun in there her permit would be revoked just because it was out of her control.

[PALADIN85020]

Quite a few years ago, my wife and I were eating at a northeastern Arizona restaurant, finished eating and started on the road to our motel, which was about 30 miles away. We were almost there when my wife spurted out that she had left her purse in the restaurant. She had her carry gun in the purse.

This was before cell phones, so I whirled the car around and went hell for leather back to the restaurant. It took almost half an hour.

The bartender had retrieved it and kept it under the bar, knowing somebody would probably be back for it. The purse was still zipped and the gun was still in it. We were damn lucky - that could have turned into an all-nighter.

I have used a day planner case for off-body carry, but after that incident, I have done that sparingly and very carefully. Here's a pic of that rig -

John

[Rodan]

Examples of this are too numerous to count.

Locally I can think of at least 3 detectives and one police chief who left guns in restaurant bathrooms, and that wasn't even 'off-body' carry!!

How many women put their purse in the shopping cart at the store? Turn your back and it's gone.

Off-body carry is never optimal, and requires hyper-vigilance... which rarely happens.

[retired2006]

It does not have to be off body carry, I once used the restroom in a convenence store, and laying on the toilet paper holder was a handgun, left there by the previous user. It was loaded of course, so I unloaded it, and turned it in to the store clerk. I can only assume it's owner returned looking for it.

[Old cop]

Many years ago a buddy went out to celebrate a police department promotion w/his wife and a few friends. He took off his service revolver, put a jacket on top of it in a chair, and took his wife onto the dance floor. When he came back to the table it was gone. He was not demoted but our rules said he had to pay for the gun & city holster. I can’t recall if we ever got it back.

[ISCS Yoda]

Off body carry is always a risky proposition. Long before the concealed carry laws were passed I used to carry a Model 36 in a soft briefcase in which I had the interior "rebuilt" to enable a holster to clip inside. It was my business briefcase and I, too, once left it after a meeting but a friend picked it up and it was held for me until I came back for it. Only the lady friend had peaked inside and she was all kinds of terrified. Originally from the NE and guns scared her speechless.

For many years I carried a 2" Model 10 in a leather "Bible case". I used to leave it in my truck on the front seat or dashboard. Somehow I knew it was never going to attract attention.

Anyway, I don't do these things anymore and haven't for a very long time. People see me carry briefcases or soft bags/backpacks and think I have a gun in there. I never do but if they think so it's okay with me....

[Rolex28]

As more and more states sign into law permit less carry , I wonder how many open carry theft attempts or actual thefts there will be?

[Echo40]

Women like to carry in their purse because it's familiar to them and therefore less cumbersome than wearing a holster, but seeing as a purse is often the first thing that a thief will snatch from a woman since that's where she keeps her money, it's a poor choice.

Unfortunately, in my experience, it's a hard habit to break, especially if you're dealing with a women who doesn't wear clothing that can easily accommodate a holster of any kind. The best you can do is make some suggestions and hope that one of them appeals to them or at least gets them thinking of alternatives until they can figure out a better method of carry.

[jeffrefrig]

Originally Posted by Rodan

Examples of this are too numerous to count.

Locally I can think of at least 3 detectives and one police chief who left guns in restaurant bathrooms, and that wasn't even 'off-body' carry!!

How many women put their purse in the shopping cart at the store? Turn your back and it's gone.

Off-body carry is never optimal, and requires hyper-vigilance... which rarely happens.

Even if there is no gun in the purse I see many women leave their open purses in the baby seat section of the cart and turn away from it and look on the shelf for their whatever, purse wide open. I always bring it to their attention how fast some skinny little junkie can reach his hand in and grab n go. Most are thankful, young & old both. I could have taken wallets many times if I were a thief.

[crazyphil]

Off body carry is a bad, bad idea. Don't do it! Too many things can go wrong. And if they can go wrong they will go wrong. I gave Concealed
Weapons License classes in Idaho for many year, and this was always
one topic I would preach about.

[steelslaver]

A fool and his/her gun are soon parted

[AJ]

Don't carry this often, but have done so in the past. The gun in it at this time came with it. It is a Colt Model 1903 Hammer in .38 ACP. Other pistols or revolver could be substituted as the owner desires. Considering the .38 ACP is the daddy of the .38 Super, I do not feel under gunned. No one seems to notice it and it goes well at church and church functions.

[Model 10-8]

If someone was to open that up, it probably would scare the beJesus out of them. Ha!

[pharmer]

Originally Posted by crazyphil

Off body carry is a bad, bad idea. Don't do it!

In 2003 I made a left turn against a flashing red arrow. Of course FHP was on the overpass above me, lit me up immediately. I'm "suit and tie" rep at the time so.... Trooper says "where's your weapon?" "Console." Backs off, calls everybody. 5 black and tans later, runs the #, returns revolver and says: "Permit says license to carry, next time have it on you." Away they all went leaving me with my $115 ticket. Ain't done that since. Joe

[Muss Muggins]

That’s insanity. Thankfully, Missouri’s CCW laws allowed carry in the car without a permit from its inception. . .

Originally Posted by pharmer

In 2003 I made a left turn against a flashing red arrow. Of course FHP was on the overpass above me, lit me up immediately. I'm "suit and tie" rep at the time so.... Trooper says "where's your weapon?" "Console." Backs off, calls everybody. 5 black and tans later, runs the #, returns revolver and says: "Permit says license to carry, next time have it on you." Away they all went leaving me with my $115 ticket. Ain't done that since. Joe

[max503]

One reason I pocket carry is how secure it keeps the gun. No one gets in my pockets and no one sees it.

[CLASSIC12]

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

Quite a few years ago, my wife and I were eating at a northeastern Arizona restaurant, finished eating and started on the road to our motel, which was about 30 miles away. We were almost there when my wife spurted out that she had left her purse in the restaurant. She had her carry gun in the purse.

This was before cell phones, so I whirled the car around and went hell for leather back to the restaurant. It took almost half an hour.

The bartender had retrieved it and kept it under the bar, knowing somebody would probably be back for it. The purse was still zipped and the gun was still in it. We were damn lucky - that could have turned into an all-nighter.

I have used a day planner case for off-body carry, but after that incident, I have done that sparingly and very carefully. Here's a pic of that rig -

John

Classy kit

[ken158]

Originally Posted by pharmer

In 2003 I made a left turn against a flashing red arrow. Of course FHP was on the overpass above me, lit me up immediately. I'm "suit and tie" rep at the time so.... Trooper says "where's your weapon?" "Console." Backs off, calls everybody. 5 black and tans later, runs the #, returns revolver and says: "Permit says license to carry, next time have it on you." Away they all went leaving me with my $115 ticket. Ain't done that since. Joe

Five marked units responded to a guy with a CCW permit? Maybe if you had something nice they were gonna try and buy it from you?

[tops]

[QUOTE=pharmer;141143085. Trooper says "where's your weapon?" "Console." Backs off, calls everybody. 5 black and tans later, runs the #, returns revolver and says: "Permit says license to carry, next time have it on you." [/QUOTE]

Is that the law in Florida or was he badge heavy? In NC it's legal to have it in the console if you have a permit. Larry

[brucev]

When situation required, I have carried a handgun w/ extra ammo in my briefcase. This has been the case when serving pastoral appointments where there was genuine likelihood that I would need to protect myself, staff, etc. Have done this during normal working hours. Have always done this when in the office after hours or late at night. Have not ever had an occasion where I have ever not had my briefcase in my control. It's not just the pistol, etc., it's that the contents of that briefcase are critical to my work and virtually irreplaceable. Sincerely. bruce.

[SchemaEnigma]

Originally Posted by tops

Is that the law in Florida or was he badge heavy? In NC it's legal to have it in the console if you have a permit. Larry

Without more information from Florida residents, I'm going with badge heavy.

This is from GUN LAWS IN FLORIDA

Vehicle Carry
YES - WITHOUT A PERMIT
It is lawful for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed firearm or other weapon for self-defense or other lawful purposes within the interior of a private vehicle, without a license, if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. "Securely encased" means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.
The Law
790.25
790.001
790.17 Minimum age to transport Firearm 18

I can't imagine that the law is more restrictive if you DO have a permit!

[Borderboss]

Generally speaking, I find that black-and-whte comments such as "never off-body carry" are inaccurate. There's nothing absolute.

The lady brought up by the OP was careless. That doesn't equate to "no one should every off-body carry". We've all seen plenty of people who on-body carry that are careless as well, losing their gun to a bad guy or just having it fall out of the holster. Should people never on-body carry?

I will sometimes off-body carry in a backpack built for it. You just have to have your guard up, which everyone should anyway.

[NYlakesider]

Originally Posted by Borderboss

Generally speaking, I find that black-and-whte comments such as "never off-body carry" are inaccurate. There's nothing absolute.

The lady brought up by the OP was careless. That doesn't equate to "no one should every off-body carry". We've all seen plenty of people who on-body carry that are careless as well, losing their gun to a bad guy or just having it fall out of the holster. Should people never on-body carry?

I will sometimes off-body carry in a backpack built for it. You just have to have your guard up, which everyone should anyway.

What I said and I agree with you! "Situations like this are the reason I'm loath to recommend off body carry unless its the only resort".

Certainly never say never. There are situations and you do what you have to do. As you said under those circumstances "keep your guard up''!

All's well that ends well and I doubt this person will ever loose her gun again. The woman got lucky, no one got her gun and used it and she did not have to report to authorities she lost a gun.

[steelslaver]

My remark a fool and his gun as soon parted was not specifically aimed at those who chose to carry off body. Plenty of people including LEOs have left their gun somewhere.
Deciding to carry in a purse, briefcase, deal that looks like a bible or whatever has its own special problems and responsibility

If a stop involving a gun took 5 cars Montana Highway Patrolmen would have to travel in packs.

They do not. They are very often alone and many miles from back up. My hat is off to them.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by steelslaver

My remark a fool and his gun as soon parted was not specifically aimed at those who chose to carry off body. Plenty of people including LEOs have left their gun somewhere.
Deciding to carry in a purse, briefcase, deal that looks like a bible or whatever has its own special problems and responsibility

If a stop involving a gun took 5 cars Montana Highway Patrolmen would have to travel in packs.

They do not. They are very often alone and many miles from back up. My hat is off to them.

The trick to off body carry is maintaining control. Pure and simple, if you do not have control of whatever you are carrying your firearm in then you have lost before you started.

[pharmer]

Originally Posted by tops

Is that the law in Florida or was he badge heavy? In NC it's legal to have it in the console if you have a permit. Larry

Florida Hiway Patrol are a different breed. I have no idea why he did a "calling all cops." I think he was perturbed to have to take the weapon, run the # and return it, gun on the seat and cartridges in the glove box with a warning not to reload until they were all gone. Certainly one of the weirdest LE interactions I've ever had. Joe

[delcrossv]

I recommend thigh holsters over a pocket book to my daughters for carrying in a dress/skirt. Someone doing a purse snatch might get a real prize if they carried in a pocketbook.

E.G. (the belted ones are much better than the "sticky garter" type)

[samuelrp]

Carried a Dillon Precision Plan B Planner for years. Glock 19. Retrieved from the night stand, took to work, return home, place on nightstand. Yes, you must be careful, but I could carry this thing anywhere. Occasionally I would open it for a passenger who had ridden with me and they were always shocked, LOL

[AJ]

Originally Posted by samuelrp

Carried a Dillon Precision Plan B Planner for years. Glock 19. Retrieved from the night stand, took to work, return home, place on nightstand. Yes, you must be careful, but I could carry this thing anywhere. Occasionally I would open it for a passenger who had ridden with me and they were always shocked, LOL

Looks sort of like my "Bible case" in Post #12. Works for me.