Printing Defined

[Abraham]

At times I'm aware that the vague bulge that is my Glock 19, while not spectacularly obvious, can be somewhat obvious under my outer clothing as I move, and sometimes a small top portion of the grip may possibly be interpretable as to what it actually is as it occasionally comes into contact with the outer cover garment.

All of that being said, am I unlawfully printing?

I didn't think so, but from what I'm reading I'm no longer certain.

Thanks!

[seamusTX]

I don't think so. There is sufficient doubt as to whether the bulge is a cell phone, a bulky wallet, or any one of 100 other things that someone might have on their belt or in their pocket.

- Jim

[txinvestigator]

At times I'm aware that the vague bulge that is my Glock 19, while not spectacularly obvious, can be somewhat obvious under my outer clothing as I move, and sometimes a small top portion of the grip may possibly be interpretable as to what it actually is as it occasionally comes into contact with the outer cover garment.

All of that being said, am I unlawfully printing?

I didn't think so, but from what I'm reading I'm no longer certain.

Thanks!

There is no law against printing.

[seamusTX]

TXI, how often to police officers visually identify a random person who is carrying a concealed weapon -- not counting Terry stops and searches persuant to an arrest?

- Jim

[Turfspanker]

My biggest concern about printing is not if I offend or scare someone. Its the fact that BG's are getting more and more brazen about stealing weapons. They are even breaking into police cars.

We all like to be aware of our surroundings but there are times when you can get caught off guard by 2 or 3 attackers coming from a blind spot. Their sole intention is to disable you and steal your weapon.
The less printing the better.

[txinvestigator]

TXI, how often to police officers visually identify a random person who is carrying a concealed weapon -- not counting Terry stops and searches persuant to an arrest?

- Jim

Not sure what you mean? Are you asking how often cops spot someone carrying concealed?

[seamusTX]

Not sure what you mean? Are you asking how often cops spot someone carrying concealed?

Yes. Let's say an officer sees someone who is most likely not a plainclothes peace officer -- too young, or dressed or behaving in a way that a cop would not. How often can someone like that be seen to have a concealed weapon under clothing?

- Jim

[tallmike]

My biggest concern about printing is not if I offend or scare someone. Its the fact that BG's are getting more and more brazen about stealing weapons. They are even breaking into police cars.

We all like to be aware of our surroundings but there are times when you can get caught off guard by 2 or 3 attackers coming from a blind spot. Their sole intention is to disable you and steal your weapon.
The less printing the better.

You talk about a fear of a group of guys attacking you just to take your weapon but I doubt you can point to a single case where this has ever happened. Just seems like an odd thing to worry about.

[Turfspanker]

You talk about a fear of a group of guys attacking you just to take your weapon but I doubt you can point to a single case where this has ever happened. Just seems like an odd thing to worry about.

Without taking the thread off topic, my point is just because you carry doesn't make you immune from someone trying to steal something from you. Particularly if you don't have physical presence and you are unaware of the threat. A hypothetical example - A large bad guy just out of Federal Prison on parol, desperate for a gun sees someone who is obviously printing and at a physical disadvantage. He would size them up and potentially take them by surprise. I could come up with a hundred hypotheticals and I would bet each of them would parallel a case. Why is this an odd concern?

I don't have a fear but that doesn't mean I should advertise the goods by negligently printing. That said, I'm guilty as .... as I look at the Rolex I've worn full time on my wrist for the last 12 years.

Back to the primary topic - The broad definition of concealed is "hidden from sight". It would follow IMHO that the definition of printing is exposing the concealed weapon such that it is obvious to anyone what the nature of the object is...as though it were not concealed.

[txinvestigator]

Not sure what you mean? Are you asking how often cops spot someone carrying concealed?

Yes. Let's say an officer sees someone who is most likely not a plainclothes peace officer -- too young, or dressed or behaving in a way that a cop would not. How often can someone like that be seen to have a concealed weapon under clothing?

- Jim

Humm, I dunno Jim.

[Keith B]

Not sure what you mean? Are you asking how often cops spot someone carrying concealed?

Yes. Let's say an officer sees someone who is most likely not a plainclothes peace officer -- too young, or dressed or behaving in a way that a cop would not. How often can someone like that be seen to have a concealed weapon under clothing?

- Jim

Humm, I dunno Jim.

When I was a LEO years ago, we rode motorcycles. A lot of times it was on the weekends. We dressed pretty slouchy and quite a few of us didn't shave, so we looked pretty rough, not to mention helmet hair. Not sure how LEO's are supposed to dress off duty so you can tell!

[frankie_the_yankee]

My biggest concern about printing is not if I offend or scare someone. Its the fact that BG's are getting more and more brazen about stealing weapons. They are even breaking into police cars.

We all like to be aware of our surroundings but there are times when you can get caught off guard by 2 or 3 attackers coming from a blind spot. Their sole intention is to disable you and steal your weapon.
The less printing the better.

So tell me, what is your opinion of open carry?

[Turfspanker]

So tell me, what is your opinion of open carry?

Sorry again for getting slightly off topic.
Yeah - sounds like I'm hard core against right?
Situational - depends on the carrier and how well he/she can engage in close combat. Personally I would like it as long as my open carry is in a level III holster. But I don't think I would do it all of the time. Your awareness level is super high (or at least should be) when you open carry .

[tallmike]

A hypothetical example - A large bad guy just out of Federal Prison on parol, desperate for a gun sees someone who is obviously printing and at a physical disadvantage. He would size them up and potentially take them by surprise. I could come up with a hundred hypotheticals and I would bet each of them would parallel a case. Why is this an odd concern?

Its an odd concern because from the 2 hypothetical situations you have given Im betting that most of the situations running thru your head do not have a parallel case.

Fear what you like, Im just saying you have lots of real situations to worry about dont go creating fake ones to worry about too.

[Photoman]

The element of surprise is a BIG advantage. No sense in giving it away by poor concealment. But...to answer the OP...legally speaking, accidentally showing your weapon is not a crime.