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What's the big deal about "printing"? I see discussions about this all over the forum, and it's obviously something that people want to avoid if at all possible. But why? It's not illegal to "print", is it? Even if you're "printing", you're still concealed. It's up to other people to be observant enough to notice and then figure out that you have a gun. If they do, so what? It's not a crime is it? Or is it that you just don't want anyone to know?

I ask because I've been practicing carrying my Sig P226 around the house, and it definitely "prints" in some clothing that I wear. It's not sticking out like a sore thumb, and my wife hasn't even noticed at all, but I can see it. In fact I've figured out how to hold my arms at my side or to carry things (like tools or a kitchen chair) in such a way that it's much less obvious that the gun is there.

It seems to me that it's impossible to completely hide a gun unless it's really small. I'm not convinced (yet) that I want a small gun because they tend to have more recoil and are thus harder to control.

Or am I completely out to lunch? (No, the state hasn't even acknowledged receipt of my application, so I'm a long way from actually carrying. I'm trying to train and prepare myself for the future.)

Printing in itself is not illegal, but is a gray area. The law states that the gun may not be discernible to an average person. OK, so who is an average person?

I think you answered your case, in the fact that your wife doesn't notice, or others. Just because it is a bump under a shirt doesn't mean it is discernible to the average person, but if they can tell it is a gun, then it IS illegal.

Now, if they DO figure out you have a gun, then they may call the police and you may get hassled or arrested for unconcealed (happened to a forum member here when he accidentally exposed his CCW.) However, if accidental, you should get the case dismissed, although it may be a hassle until you do.

Bottom line, do your best job to conceal your weapon while making sure you can access it and you should be OK.

I got over the whole "printing" paranoia shortly after getting my license and carrying everyday. It pretty much dawned on me that NO ONE is looking to see if I am strapped. I don't even think twice about adjusting my holster and making sure everything is sittin ok. At work I wear jeans and a fishing shirt...off work I am in either shorts and a tank top....or surf trunks and a tank top. My primary carry piece is a Glock 26. I even carry the LCP IWB with my surf trunks.....and no.....I haven't tried going surfing like that!!

I looked up the law. It reads:

"Concealed handgun" means a handgun, the presence of which
is not openly discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person.

I wonder what "discernible" means under the law? Does it mean they can see it? Or they can figure it out?

I particularly don't worry about printing in front of LEO's. I operate under the presumption that they are trained to look for concealed weapons, may or may not notice that I am carrying, and that if they do notice will usually evaluate the situation and let me know if the issue needs to be addressed.
I really don't worry about printing. I do try to "worry" about concealment, but sometimes I totally forget that I am carrying...and that sometimes worries me.

baldeagle wrote:I looked up the law. It reads:

"Concealed handgun" means a handgun, the presence of which
is not openly discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person.

I wonder what "discernible" means under the law? Does it mean they can see it? Or they can figure it out?

I also think that even if a resonable person thought he might see a buldge of what he thinks might be a pistol grip or
something its most likely he would not say anything about it either.Afetr a while of carrying you get more confortable
and don't worry even if it seems noticeable to yourself.People are just to busy to look that close at ya...
We know what guys are looking at when we are out...the gals probably too...

baldeagle wrote:I looked up the law. It reads:

"Concealed handgun" means a handgun, the presence of which
is not openly discernible to the ordinary observation of a reasonable person.

I wonder what "discernible" means under the law? Does it mean they can see it? Or they can figure it out?

It means capable of being distinguished as a gun. The definition of distinguished means conspicuous, and conspicuous means easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable.

So, discernible means you can readily tell it is a gun.

I'm a fat boy with a prodigious shade generator. Loose fitting T's and and tucked in dress shirts all conceal well (IWB or OWB as appropriate). That said, in these breezy days I have noticed a couple of times that with the weapon side into the wind, I've glanced down and noticed a perfect silhouette down to the port for all to see. I typically just drop my arm in front of it and I have not noticed anyone noticing/caring but it does give one pause.

Purplehood wrote:I particularly don't worry about printing in front of LEO's. I operate under the presumption that they are trained to look for concealed weapons, may or may not notice that I am carrying, and that if they do notice will usually evaluate the situation and let me know if the issue needs to be addressed.
I really don't worry about printing. I do try to "worry" about concealment, but sometimes I totally forget that I am carrying...and that sometimes worries me.

Bingo!! I’ll be the guy who gets busted at the airport who says, “Man, I forgot it was there!!”

I've been carrying so long that it's really second nature. I don't think about it. It’s not a choice I have to make in the morning when I get dressed for my day. That choice was made 8 years ago when I first started carrying. My entire wardrobe now is geared towards concealment. It’s not any big deal. It just means that all my pants fit loose for the IWB and all my belts are gun belts. Most of my shirts have straight bottoms and aren’t designed to be tucked in. The few dress shirts I have are loose enough to blouse out after being tucked and except for a couple, they ALL have some sort of dark pattern on them.

One thing that is common though is on the RARE occasion that I’m not carrying, I always get asked if I’ve lost weight.

just tell them "yep lost about 30 ounces"

muleman wrote:just tell them "yep lost about 30 ounces"

Hahah!! Having a pistol at 4 and spare mags at 7 does give a bit of a pear shape that's gone when I'm not strapped so that’s basically what people are noticing.

That must mean that all of us “pear shaped” dudes must be packing.

Dragonfighter wrote:I'm a fat boy with a prodigious shade generator. Loose fitting T's and and tucked in dress shirts all conceal well (IWB or OWB as appropriate). That said, in these breezy days I have noticed a couple of times that with the weapon side into the wind, I've glanced down and noticed a perfect silhouette down to the port for all to see. I typically just drop my arm in front of it and I have not noticed anyone noticing/caring but it does give one pause.

I've seen your shade generator, and mine exceeds it.

Here's my personal standard: I know there will be a visible bump under my shirt on occasion. That part doesn't worry me at all. The real issue is whether or not that bump is specifically distinguishable as a gun by the casual observer, rather than as a PDA, pager, or insulin pump - just to name 3 possible alternatives among the myriad available.

The truth is, most people just aren't that aware of their surroundings, and they don't even notice a bump under your shirt, let alone wonder what it is. The only people who look for or are likely to notice those things are cops, criminals, and other CHLs.

I think of printing as the person who carrys a mouse gun (LCP type) in the back pocket of their jeans with no holster, eventually the movement will wear the silouete of the gun into the pocket, at that point it would not take a rocket scientist to know what it is.... I would not consider a buldge from grips as printing although I would prefer not to be a test case...

For years I have carried two phones at the 3 o' clock position, never had anyone ask what the bulge was.