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I know...we all try to select the clothing to match the handgun we're carrying. However, there are those "times" when someone "forgets" his/her handgun (due to the "comfortable fit" of the holster. Or, there is that time when one is carrying "openly" OWB in one's vehicle and suddenly needs to exit to run into a store quickly (or) step outside vehicle to check something.

Here are some "emergency" measures to take:

Drive thru fast food place (cleaners, convenience store, or ??), place order and then have to park short distance away:

(1) If in "work clothes", grab a rag or your mechanic's red rag and drape it over the gun with corner stuck in belt.
(2) If in leisure clothes, grab a towel, large rag, or similar and wrap around your waist and tie know in front.
(3) If out walking, jogging, etc., tie one of those 1980's or 1990's sweaters or such with the long sleeves around waist.

Other places, whether "in season weather or not" for a brief exposure in public:

(1) Keep a light weight vest (no lining or heavy fabric) in your vehicle to throw on quickly (people won't notice if your "public" exposure is brief).
(2) Also, #1,2,3 above.
(3) If you have infants, keep diaper bag with you and hang over the handgun.

Other suggestions:

Obviously, don't put on a Western "duster", "hoodie" or trench coat in summer and go into a business...
Keep wallet in easy to reach front pocket of shirt or vest to avoid having to reach in hip pocket or front pant's pocket.
Always, if possible, dress "in season" so as to not attract attention.
If you are OLD, you can get away with wearing a vest (down or other filled) briefly because you "look cold"...works best in mornings or evenings in summer.
If you are a "Sailer", wear your yacht cap and a windbreaker...lol.

On a final note, many have said that MOST people don't pay that much attention to you anyway and usually look at you fron chest up...if they look at you at all...

I think I would untuck my shirt instead of looking like I have a rag or towel growing out of my belt.

I also keep a light windbreaker in my car. It's really for unexpected weather but also works as a cover garment.

I think it's a bad idea to carry "openly" OWB in one's vehicle. I understand that between your body and the seat, you should be able to be concealed, but I think there's just too much risk of being perceived (by a cop) of intentionally failing to conceal...which is (generally) illegal.

ScottDLS wrote:I think it's a bad idea to carry "openly" OWB in one's vehicle. I understand that between your body and the seat, you should be able to be concealed, but I think there's just too much risk of being perceived (by a cop) of intentionally failing to conceal...which is (generally) illegal.

Makes sense!

However, if one is halfway awake and alert, they will or should notice if a LEO is approaching for a stop (flashing lights...). Also, if one keeps a towel, rag, other small clothing item in the seat, they can quickly drape it over the handgun in an emergency. After all, in your vehicle, aren't you also "on your own property"? Otherwise, wearing a light vest, shirt un-tucked, etc., satisfies "dress around gun" concealment.

Of course if one is living in the city and a LEO is beside you on the Right side of your vehicle at a stop light...and, if your vehicle is a lower profile then yours...well...this is another issue...lol.

Another item...if you are carrying on your Left side (for cross draw) and you are the driver...a touch hard to observe you are carrying "open".

Running Arrow Bill wrote:After all, in your vehicle, aren't you also "on your own property"?

Nope.

cbr600 wrote:

Running Arrow Bill wrote:After all, in your vehicle, aren't you also "on your own property"?

Nope.

Well, you COULD be, (driveway, etc.), but you probably AREN'T.

I wouldn't think that a dirty shop rag would make a great concealment garment. If you're not wearing appropriate clothing, though, how are you concealing at all.
If you're carrying under the Motorist Protection Act, you commit an offense if the gun is in plain view. If you're carrying under the authority of a CHL (which, if you have a CHL, you're always carrying under the authority of your CHL), you commit an offense by knowingly failing to conceal.


Also, you're calling a fast food stop or a stop at the dry cleaners an "emergency" stop. Neither of which are. Both are easily planned and avoidable if you're not wearing appropriate clothing to conceal you firearm outside of the vehicle.

Instead of complicating things, how about just keeping a photographer's vest or some other light concealment garment in the vehicle? Or how about untucking your shirt? Or better yet, how about making sure your gun is concealed before leaving your house?



There is nothing I have to do that is such an emergency that I can't have taken care of it by properly concealing my gun before leaving the house. And if there were, it would be because I needed to unconceal the gun and point it at someone who was fast approaching a need to be shot.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Instead of complicating things, how about just keeping a photographer's vest or some other light concealment garment in the vehicle? Or how about untucking your shirt? Or better yet, how about making sure your gun is concealed before leaving your house?

I agree with Annoyed on this one. It is our responsibility as CHL holders to make sure concealed always stays concealed. RIP - Erik Scott.

SpringerFan wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:Instead of complicating things, how about just keeping a photographer's vest or some other light concealment garment in the vehicle? Or how about untucking your shirt? Or better yet, how about making sure your gun is concealed before leaving your house?

I agree with Annoyed on this one. It is our responsibility as CHL holders to make sure concealed always stays concealed. RIP - Erik Scott.

My truck gun lives in a leather fanny pack whether I'm wearing my EDC or not.

If I'm not wearing my EDC and I'm getting out, I just put on the fanny pack.

I don't particularly care if everyone "knows" what it is. Concealed is concealed.

Wow! Interesting responses. Some are rather technical and law abiding...others, in jest. Guess my post was supposed to be a little on the "light" side... Oh well...

I agree to all comments...

Concealed is concealed. Prior planning is a given. Situational awareness...priceless.

One example to re-state: Those of you who were "aware" of people's dress style in the 70's, 80's, and so on, there were a bunch of people (e.g., fitness types) who would tie a sweater or something around their waist with the "tie" in front while running, jogging, walking, etc. Having a "concealed" gun "under" that garment, would definitely hide the gun...

Running Arrow Bill wrote:Wow! Interesting responses. Some are rather technical and law abiding...others, in jest. Guess my post was supposed to be a little on the "light" side... Oh well...

I agree to all comments...

Concealed is concealed. Prior planning is a given. Situational awareness...priceless.

One example to re-state: Those of you who were "aware" of people's dress style in the 70's, 80's, and so on, there were a bunch of people (e.g., fitness types) who would tie a sweater or something around their waist with the "tie" in front while running, jogging, walking, etc. Having a "concealed" gun "under" that garment, would definitely hide the gun...

In the 70s some people wore ties that were so wide they could totally conceal a full size 1911 Pistol.

I prefer a Tutu!

dessl wrote:I prefer a Tutu!

Good one. Is that what you did your Wallywalk in?