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I will be going to a convention in a few weeks with some colleagues. These are not friends, per se. They're colleagues. I even like the ladies, as I've worked with all of them for at least a year. (I don't know the man very well, but he seems nice enough.)

We'll be riding together. The other ladies and I will be staying in the same room. (Male teacher, of course, gets his own room.)

What is my wisest course of action? I usually keep my .380 in a lifejacket safe in my car (out of sight), but NO ONE that I work with knows this. These people don't even know I have a CHL, and until I know them better, I'd prefer they didn't. Right or wrong, we're judged.

However, it's now firmly ingrained in my psyche that the gun is on my hip whenever and wherever it is legal. I wish to bring a gun with me in all my travels.

I'm considering bringing my .380. Even though it isn't as powerful as my "big girl" (.45), I believe it would be better than no gun. It is also easier to hide. My objective would be to keep anyone from knowing the entire time we're there, which is three days.

I would do all of my changing in the RR in privacy, so that the gun could go on and off my body without their notice.

I'm also considering my lifejacket safe, but am wondering if that might not just be more bulk, and something else in my suitcase to fall out and blow my cover. Besides, I think these girls are okay. They aren't exactly your criminal element.

Is this a wise course of action? I'm wanting to get your perspective.

In you profession I fully understand why you would keep the secret. I say carry the small one and don't tell. Just my .02

+1 to what Roger said.

I wouldn't feel undergunned with a .380, as long as I had a couple of magazines

Keeping our heads down about our CHL is sometimes the best avenue, I think, especially when you're not 100% sure of the other's stance on the subject. That would make for an awkward convention, huh?

I've seen some people get a bit wigged out when they found out that I carry.

Good luck, VP. On my last trip with a colleague, our route took us through a less than desirable part of a town we weren't familiar with. When we started getting the hairy eyeball from every corner, he turned to me and asked, "How much ammo are you carrying?"

You have a "few weeks". Get busy practicing. Just because I did not have a Waiting Room does not mean I did not create my own. The practice I recomend for those in waiting is good for me too. When I change something, get a new rig, or have to do something different, I practice starting as soon as I can.
Most know I just changed my Sunday carry. Wore it around the house a couple of days before getting out w/ it. Made Mom's & then in public. Got Mom to give me a bunch of grammaw huggs. Made Wed. night & by Sunday I was comfortable & had figured out what was comfortable.

Figure out what kind of routeen you will have. Start practicing your changing in the RR & out w/ it under your robe, wrapped in a towel or in your overnight bag. Use your overnight bag at the house. If you start trying things you will see some things that "that wont work" & then you will "why didnt I think of that before."
Practice is the key to being comfortable & not calling attention to self.
I have all confidence that a good teacher like you will be a creative learner & ready for the close quarters. Glad you are not leaving it at home.
LT.

I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere but I have just a couple of questions. Is this convention a school function? That is, are you required to attend and are expenses (room, travel, etc.) paid with public or private school funds?

Really like the return of your original signature.
I love it & have used it often in training ladies especially.

Carry the .380 and don't let it out of your control, and you won't need the lifejacket safe. Don't tell a soul you have it on and they won't notice or suspect a thing. You'll be able to keep your secret, and as a side benefit there won't be any rumors or whispers started that you might later regret!

BTW, I got a Bersa Thunder .380 CC for Christmas (well, at the gun show last weekend, really, but we considered it a Christmas present! ) and am so glad I did (although I too much prefer a .45 or 9mm over a .380). For those places where having something bigger available is not option for me at this point, at least I don't feel quite so "nekked"!

VP,
DON'T tell anybody!!!! Not even your friends!! If the word gets out that you have a CHL, it will get out to the wrong people for sure.

After that it may not be safe or even possible to leave it in your car at school.

I would suggest you get your own private room. If that is not possible be sure you lock it up someplace when it is not on your body.

Other than that try to have fun and eat all the free food you can!

Regards, OE

I agree with what most of the folks are saying....If I had to leave the gun in the room for some reason (30.06, school function) I would have it in a safe box such as the one you use. The night stand in most hotel rooms is hollow on the bottom and makes a good hiding place.

Do you see the five handguns in this picture? They are not in the drawer. This was taken in the room that Kinnylee and I rented in Las Vegas. We were not allowed to carry our handguns onto the casino floor and did not want to leave them visible in the room while we were absent.

jbirds1210 wrote:Do you see the five handguns in this picture? They are not in the drawer. This was taken in the room that Kinnylee and I rented in Las Vegas. We were not allowed to carry our handguns onto the casino floor and did not want to leave them visible in the room while we were absent.

Hmmm. Is that a "bulge" in the phone book? Nope, guess not... so you obviously haven't cut a hole in that. Let's see... nope, that's a real dinner menu and hotel services notebook, not one of those new day-planner holster things... I give up. Do you plan on giving us a clue???

Oh... wait a minute!!! You said hollow place under the night stand! I see 'em now!

Carry the small one, and don't tell a soul.

The other ladies and I will be staying in the same room.

If this is a work function, and you're not in the military, it's really a disgusting employer that dictates employee sleeping arrangements.

VenusPax,

Are you going to the TCEA convention in Austin Feb, 7-9th? I will be there also.

JRG (Joe)

I probably won't go to a single convention again until June at the earliest, and that will be the Texas Federation of Teachers (union) convention.

To answer OE's question, the school district is paying for this.

You've all given me some good advice. LT, your advice to practice ahead of time is great. I think I'll do that.

I'll definitely take the little gun.