Women or Men with Wives/Girlfriends: How do you carry your guns?

[sanantone]

I really like the idea of the shoulder holster made for concealment.
ULTRA Double Shoulder Strap - Deep Conceal - YouTube

[EI2HCB]

Sanantone, I guess you'll have to try a few out. Someone else pointed this out but I believe it is essential to build muscle memory when it comes to bringing your firearm to bear so whatever one you do settle on make sure you build in the muscle memory with repeated draws. I live in IL and we're waiting on concealed carry here. Meanwhile the rifle or shotgun "must not be loaded or accessible and it must be in a case" while in a vehicle. Plus the vehicle can't pass within 1000 feet of a school (even when schools are closed) means I have to drive around town some really weird ways to go to the range.

[ironheadjack]

Sanantone, I guess you'll have to try a few out. Someone else pointed this out but I believe it is essential to build muscle memory when it comes to bringing your firearm to bear so whatever one you do settle on make sure you build in the muscle memory with repeated draws. I live in IL and we're waiting on concealed carry here. Meanwhile the rifle or shotgun "must not be loaded or accessible and it must be in a case" while in a vehicle. Plus the vehicle can't pass within 1000 feet of a school (even when schools are closed) means I have to drive around town some really weird ways to go to the range.

You guys will be getting CCW long, long, long before New Jersey ever allows self defense.

[benraines]

Small of the back inside the pant holster works as well.. There are some nice low profile hip on the belt holsters or paddle holsters that will work. The .380 is compact enough that it should hide nicely wherever you decide to carry. My friends wife carries hers on her hip or in the small of her back and you cant see it in either spot. It is what's most comfortable to you. Try a few out and see what works. I prefer high ride outside the belt or in the pocket depending on what I am carrying. Best of luck.

[taylor]

I'm surprised this many people are knowledgeable about guns on this forum. And guns in the bra??? Lol! I'm anti-guns. But water guns in the bra would be pretty cool. Accidental discharge and voila you have a wet t shirt contest.

[mrs.b]

I'm surprised this many people are knowledgeable about guns on this forum. And guns in the bra??? Lol! I'm anti-guns. But water guns in the bra would be pretty cool. Accidental discharge and voila you have a wet t shirt contest.

You have a lot of military on the forum, and a lot of us just have a healthy respect for the things. I cannot stand guns despite the fact that my father had his federal firearms license and makes surplus cash in his retirement by customizing, and my husband and father-in-law are collectors. I refuse to carry - I feel safe enough with avoiding potentially dangerous situations, personal self-defense classes, and carrying pepper spray - but that doesn't mean I shouldn't know how to handle and fire a gun. If someone busts into my house and I can manage to get my hands on my husband's or theirs, it sort of makes sense to know what to do with it once it lands in my hand. Seems a bit like common sense to go to the range once in a while to know how to safely fire and safety them.

[dposborne]

Are there any women here with a CCW or CHL? Are there any men here who have significant others who carry concealed? I'm trying to find a good way to carry a gun. Even though I bought the smallest (and cheapest) gun I could find that would still be good for defense, carrying inside the pants or pocket only works for me when I'm wearing baggy clothes. Carrying inside the purse is not a good idea. I heard that an ankle holster is not a good idea either, but I think it's better than carrying in the purse. Then, there is the bra holster, but I don't know....
FLASHBANG BRA HOLSTER as seen on NCIS:LA! - YouTube

Carrying in the purse may not seem practical, but at least you have something with you when the S@#T hits the fan. My wife carries a Kel Tec PF9 w/ laser in her purse. There are an abundance of youtube video reviews for women and concealed holsters.

As for myself, I carry a Sig P290 w/ laser with a cross breed IWB holster. This is an optimal setup for me. Very compact weapon and the laser makes sure I never miss in the unfortunate event that I have to take it out...

[merolpn]

Thank you for all of the responses.

I have a .380 Taurus TCP, so it's small. My concern with carrying in the purse is that, when a robber surprises you, the first thing he's going to want immediately is your purse. You aren't going to have time to pull the gun out, and you're just going to hand it over to the robber.

It's been a busy summer for me but a conversation about guns, I can't resist!

I introduced two ex girlfriends to handguns and they both still actively shoot and carry. Actually, they carry much more than I do now. I asked them both your question. Both carry in their purse. Two of my female friends are police officers and carry off duty in their purse also. The purse is always over their shoulders with their hand on it when they walk.

Although CT is concealed or open carry at your choice (with a permit) I don't know anyone who does open carry. So don't worry that Texas is concealed only. (I know, we now have pretty draconian gun laws thanks to one 20 yr old mentally disturbed individual, but open carry IS still legal here) Personally, I would not do it myself but we do not have to worry about the gun "printing" because of our laws. Generally the gun that wins at the end of the day is the one NOBODY expected to be there (like in some girl's purse). I think it is a realistic way for women to carry. If you feel a little uncomfortable you can always put your hand in your purse like you are just innocently reaching for gum. Nobody will have a clue what you are doing and nobody will feel uncomfortable if they see it. Feel uncomfortable and lift a shirt exposing a gun, may get the police called on you (especially in The People's Republic of Connecticut) if you make others uncomfortable. Just always be aware of your surroundings, use your brain first, feet second and gun last and hopefully never. If you use your brain well enough, it will be hard for a robber to get the drop on you. I don't think any of those leg/thigh holsters are realistic. You aren't going to reach up a skirt or dress to get a gun faster than taking it out of a purse. I didn't see that bra holster but I think most of those things are gimmicky. It is ultimately a personal preference. If you really don't like carrying in the purse, I would suggest in the waistband in the front only. If the gun does print in the back of your pants, someone will be able to disarm you quickly if they want to and you will have a hard time defending it. It is easier to throw a punch forward. One thing that was suggested to me a long time ago is to wrap one $20 bill around a bunch of singles in a money shiny money clip. If someone approaches you aggressively, drop the money clip or gently toss it. Anyone who wants to rob you will immediately let their eyes follow the shiny clip with money to the ground. That will buy you time to run and draw a weapon because you just put them to a major decision. Grab the money and go or commit a felony. If they take the money, what did it cost you? Twenty-five bucks or so is much better than being involved in a use of force situation.

We do not have any stand your ground law here in CT, so we have to be very very cautious when we carry. Here you need to feel, believe and PROVE that there was nothing else you could do but shoot. If you carry in a manner that makes someone uncomfortable the police WILL get called here. There have been a few open carry events in this state so people are much more aware that it is legal. Usually the nicest people in the room are the ones who are armed.

If this is your first gun, welcome to the addiction. Be thankful that you live in a state which still has respect for the 2nd amendment. We still have to fill out our "Assault Weapon" registration papers by January 1st or become an instant felon and put on the newly created "Dangerous Gun offender registry." Yup, the same kinda "registry" as rapists. I don't mean to hijack your thread, but as someone who values our freedoms and heritage in this country, don't ever take it for granted. Learn everything you can about the history and why we have this precious right. In Texas, hopefully you may not have to explain it to many people.

[sanantone]

I've carried guns for years, but as an armed security officer. I just got my CHL a few months ago. Texas is actually not that far to the right on gun issues. We can't carry on college campuses, and we don't have open carry. I don't care about open carry and probably wouldn't if I could, but I do wish I could carry when I go to school. There have been a few robberies on campus so far this school year.

I'm pretty adamant about not carrying in the purse. I think it's one of the worst ways to carry concealed, and I've had former military and law enforcement who are now security professionals tell me it's a terrible place to carry a gun. In Texas, you can shoot someone after they've robbed you. If someone pulls a knife on me, I'm not going to fiddle around in my purse while they threaten to cut me; I'm just going to throw them the purse. But you better believe I will shoot them as they're running away. If I happen to get knocked to the ground in a rape attempt, it's very likely I will not have access to my purse.

[merolpn]

I've carried guns for years, but as an armed security officer. I just got my CHL a few months ago. Texas is actually not that far to the right on gun issues. We can't carry on college campuses, and we don't have open carry. I don't care about open carry and probably wouldn't if I could, but I do wish I could carry when I go to school. There have been a few robberies on campus so far this school year.

I'm pretty adamant about not carrying in the purse. I think it's one of the worst ways to carry concealed, and I've had former military and law enforcement who are now security professionals tell me it's a terrible place to carry a gun. In Texas, you can shoot someone after they've robbed you. If someone pulls a knife on me, I'm not going to fiddle around in my purse while they threaten to cut me; I'm just going to throw them the purse. But you better believe I will shoot them as they're running away. If I happen to get knocked to the ground in a rape attempt, it's very likely I will not have access to my purse.

It is definitely a matter of preference. I understand your reasons for not wanting to carry in the purse. It is easy to lose control of it. This is probably one of those issues where you could ask 100 people and get 100 different opinions.