“Reverse Printing”

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Doc7

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I have picked up a peculiar and sad habit in the last couple of years. I particularly notice it with my brother-in-law, who for some reason wears very loose baggy low hanging pants, but I notice it people in line at stores in public etc.

When I encounter someone who’s waistband of their pants is totally exposed, I catch myself stopping saying to them “excuse me sir, but your shirt is exposing that you’re not carrying right now” and think to myself that they are making themselves a target by alerting people to that fact.

Sad because it describes the vast majority of people but for whatever reason when I KNOW someone isn’t carrying it causes me to worry for them that other folks can identify that fact.
 
And so many guys today refuse to wear a belt to hold their pants up....... Honestly though, most people never see this stuff because they can't stop looking at their cell phone or they're too busy lookiong at women's butts (OK, I'm guilty of that). On a few occasions I have openly carried into stores and just watched to see how many people even noticed I had a gun. It was like 5% or less.
 
Perhaps they simply don’t need to go armed with a handgun to defend themselves. I went years without carrying when it wasn’t permitted and never once needed the gun I didn’t have. I also haven’t needed it since carrying regularly. I’ll continue to carry because it makes me feel good while at the same time knowing it has a very low chance of ever being needed.

I ankle carry at work - a mouse gun - and no one knows. Carry is allowed, I just prefer discretion. Some gun guys at work have asked me why I don’t carry and how I’ll be a victim, blah, blah blah. None of your business. Mind your own business.
 
The unstated assumption in this thread is that carrying is the default situation. That everyone is, or should be, carrying. We're a long way from that. Even many people with carry permits don't routinely carry.

If life became so dangerous that I would feel endangered by not carrying, I think I would move to a safer place.

Ironically, the only reason anyone would target me for a break-in would be my gun collection.
 
I could hear my conversation now, should somebody like you speak up about my oft times empty Don Hume JIT Slide, while my BUG is firmly in my back pocket.
"Why aren't you carrying?"
"How do you know I'm not?"
"Your holster is empty!"
"And that's the only place I could be carrying, eh?"
 
The unstated assumption in this thread is that carrying is the default situation. That everyone is, or should be, carrying. We're a long way from that. Even many people with carry permits don't routinely carry.

If life became so dangerous that I would feel endangered by not carrying, I think I would move to a safer place.

Ironically, the only reason anyone would target me for a break-in would be my gun collection.

This. We don't live in Beirut. I feel bad for a lot of people who carry, because it's 2,3 guns, with 3,4 mags.
The purpose of carry is to make you feel more relaxed, not more paranoid.
I use my flashlight 9 times every day. I'd be more likely to carry an extra light than an extra gun.
 
When I decide to run for office it'll be on the platform of mandatory marksmanship training in HS and mandatory carry by everyone over 18.

How you like dem apples? Think I'll win?
 
Doc, I get it (at least I think I do) and its funny, sarcastic, and ironic. Nobody else seems to have their funny bone turned on yet today, however.

Yes, open carry and concealed carry is a serious business. But it is nice to look at the world through a different lens occasionally and tweak the comfort zone just a little.
 
I open or perhaps more correctly semi-open carry regularly.

I carry my Beretta 92 in a Sparks EX Companion iwb in the 3:00 position. With the butt of the gun showing is isn't as visible as if it is in a belt holster. Having carried it this way for about two years now I observe that very few people notice it and those that have had not had a bad reaction to seeing it.

What I do believe is that many, of not most of the member here would not want to have anything to do with me if they were to see me. Racism and stereotyping runs deep.
 
W~hen I feel the need to carry on a regular basis, I'll move to a safer location. And when I do carry, it's deep concealment. I would never dream of open carry.
 
When I decide to run for office it'll be on the platform of mandatory marksmanship training in HS and mandatory carry by everyone over 18.

How you like dem apples? Think I'll win?

I wouldn’t vote for that platform.

I’m more concerned about preserving rights rather than legislating more responsibilities with which to comply.

Just out of curiosity, is the government under your plan going to provide me a weapon at their expense, or is it an unfunded mandate?
 
Doc, I get it (at least I think I do) and its funny, sarcastic, and ironic. Nobody else seems to have their funny bone turned on yet today, however.

Yes, open carry and concealed carry is a serious business. But it is nice to look at the world through a different lens occasionally and tweak the comfort zone just a little.

Thanks man. I said in the OP it was a peculiar thought that I have. I am a little surprised nobody here has the same thought occasionally. People often mention as side comments in posts when they see someone else carrying and have a positive thought about it, surprised nobody has even an inkling sometimes of the opposite reaction when the reverse happens.
 
mandatory carry by everyone over 18.
This would be the 18th-century militia concept, on steroids. Some towns today require people to own guns (as a counterbalance to other towns that prohibit guns). Requiring people to carry guns would be taking this several steps further. If you stop to think about it you realize that such a plan would be completely unworkable.
 
I know the crime rate of the city I work in. I work near the epicenter of Bad Things in that city. I carry as often as I can get away with it, as my employer frowns on the practice. But it doesn't bother me if someone else does or not. I am not their husband, father, protector, etc. I concern myself with getting to and from work unmolested and being out in public with my family secure as is reasonable in public. Anything else is simply not my problem and I'm not going to waste mental energy on it.

I do, however, take note whether I think someone is likely to be armed. Simple threat assessment.
 
I get it. I have to admit: I've seen guys jump out of their lifted Cummins-powered Ram truck that's plastered in tactical-brand stickers. They're picking up their kids the same place I am. They very obviously project the image of a guy who's got at least three AR-builds going, and owns more than one SIG, HK, and Glock. But I notice they left the house with nothing but a Geissele-logo t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. Of course, I am curious to study them for a moment to see if they're carrying a Legion P226 with a Romeo 1 or a MOS G40 or if they'll surprise me with an Ed Brown custom, but it quickly becomes obvious if they have anything in the pocket of their tricot shorts, it's not heavier than a NAA revolver.

I have no reason to chastise them. They probably also have one of those shirts that say, "I'm the weapon, everything else is just an accessory." No doubt the fact that I noticed they were unarmed is due to my own insecurity stemming from the sense of inferiority I feel because I'm driving a family station wagon and have nothing but a little j-frame in my pocket.
 
The unstated assumption in this thread is that carrying is the default situation. That everyone is, or should be, carrying. We're a long way from that. Even many people with carry permits don't routinely carry.

If life became so dangerous that I would feel endangered by not carrying, I think I would move to a safer place.

Ironically, the only reason anyone would target me for a break-in would be my gun collection.

So, something like 8 or 9 years ago, I had a "home invasion", some kid...probably 16 or 17 came in through an open sliding glass door into our apartment while we were home. I came out of the back room and he ran back out the slider. I got my permit after that and acquired a new shotgun, carry pistol and a 1911. A year after that, we had a legitimate break in, and they stole the two pistols out of the stack on security cabinet.
Three things happened after that, 1) I moved out of that apartment, 2) I bought a Liberty safe, and 3) I don't transport weapons in gun cases anymore. I use a guitar case for long guns and Husky tool bag or backpack as my range bag. I carry regularly, but I don't make that public knowledge, no Facebook posts from the range or any of that. If anyone sees my out and about, they'll have no idea if I'm carrying or not...I'd much rather people assume I'm not armed
 
This. We don't live in Beirut. I feel bad for a lot of people who carry, because it's 2,3 guns, with 3,4 mags.
The purpose of carry is to make you feel more relaxed, not more paranoid.

No, the purpose of carrying a gun is to be prepared to defend yourself against violent assault. Carry what you want, but belittling people for carrying "too much" is just like the OP belittling people for carrying "too little".



OP, if you came up to me and said that, I would think
a) you are kinda odd
b) you are probably carrying a gun
c) I am doing a good job concealing

A lot of people just conceal to the point that only a very casual glance won't reveal the fact that they are carrying. But there are actually people who take concealment very seriously and take pains to hide the fact that they have a weapon. Some even try to conceal to the point that their firearm won't be found sort of a metal detector or a pat down. Just because YOU can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.

Also, back to b) above, going up to someone and saying "hey, I see you aren't carrying a gun" is a pretty good indicator that you ARE carrying a gun - which means you have just rendered your "concealment" ineffective.
 
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