Discrete carry method?

T

tony.s

New member
I have a problem. Here in Finland, it is quite difficult to obtain a permit to carry a firearm. So I don't. (All though, thinking about certain situations, I sure would have been glad if I did. I guess I just obey the laws too much... :))

Anyway, I'd like to go to the pistol range after school (I'm an engineer student). Now, the school is in Helsinki. The range is in Helsinki. I, however, do not live in the Helsinki city area. So, four choices:

One, leave my gear home and return to get it. Not good, it would take too much time. I'd never make it to the firing range and have enough time to actually shoot there before they close.

Two, leave my gear bag in the car. I park quite far from the school (found a "free" parking place! :)). Don't really feel like leaving a firearm in the car for eight or ten hours...

Three, carry both the gear bag and all the school stuff. Yeah, right. I have no locker, I have to carry all the stuff I take with me for the whole day. I suppose it would make for good exercise, but I'd look real funny carrying that 90 liter backpack on me all the time... :D

Four, leave the rest of the gear in the car, and carry the gun with me. Now we're talking. And are actually getting to my actual question... :) How to carry the weapon with me discreetly? We're talking about a Walther P99 here, a big (and thick) gun. If I'd wear my jacket all the time, no prob. But without it, I'm a little worried that, given enough time, someone might spot the pistol if I go IWB...

(To Be Continued, I hope :))

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Tony S.

Why be normal?
 
(Part 2 - hey it worked! :D)

Now, if it ain't loaded, I'm not breaking any laws AFAIK (I am carrying an unloaded firearm, out-of-sight, to or from a firing range. Okay, with a little 10-hour detour to school... :D), but like I said, carrying pistols is rare here, and someone might make a lot of noise about it if the gun were ever spotted. I do not want to go there. I think you all know what anti-weapons people can be like... So, why not put the pistol into my bag? I carry my bag with me almost all the time anyway, due to our school having a problem with thieves. But I'd need to buy a bigger bag. So I got to thinking (always a bad sign... ;)), why not buy one meant to be used in carrying a pistol? I'm thinking Eagle / Blackhawk attache case here... That way, I wouldn't even have to worry about the sights getting banged up against a book or something. Trouble is finding one here without ordering it in first. So, if possible, I'd like some info about these products from you guys. Like are they any good? :) Do you recommend either of these brands, or some other brand entirely? Or another "carry" method entirely? (A fanny pack might work... But it's not really my style, plus I do need a bigger bag anyway. :))

(I guess I just have to leave the rifle shooting to the weekends. :D)

*Whew* Sorry about the long post... And thanks in advance for your help!

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Tony S.

Why be normal?
 
You could always put a lock on the gun and leave the keys in the car. That way the gun is secure if the bag is stolen, and if you're stopped, you've got good proof that you had no intention to use it.

Having said that, a belly band does wonders for concealment depending on your physical characteristics. I can carry a larger gun than yours while wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
 
I like the idea of locking it and leaving the keys in the car, but I would go the extra step of locking it in a low profile box ... You have to consider the cost/benefits here. What is the goal? You have stated that the goal is to keep the pistol safe without detection, not to stay armed. How often does a "good" friend ... just reach into your pack looking for an eraser? Once a year? Too often for the ramifications involved. I'd find a daytimer that you can put a small lock on and lock it out of sight ... the lock is just to keep your friends from seeing it accidentally. A low profile trigger lock would actually keep you safe in the event that you have to explain your case. The important thing is to be perfectly clear about what your intentiions are and avoid anything that could be misconstued ... like a concealed carry holster.
just my .02 worth
saands
 
I second the planner plus idea.

Looks like your just walking around with a day planner, even if someone opened the case they wouldnt see it without opening the seperate holster section.

Seems like a good thing for your situation.

~Jason
 
Are briefcases commonly carried at your school? Do men in Finland carry purses, as they do in Italy? Either would do fine for carrying a pistol, even one as big as the Walther.

Jim
 
Thanks for your replys! Good ideas there. I'll skip the planner though, I carry quite enough stuff as I do. :)

The reason I'd like to keep the weapon on me instead of in a bag etc, is the possibility of thieves. I don't really trust trigger locks to keep the weapon unuseable if it gets stolen. With time, any lock can be broken... (And those stupid criminals would probably just cut off the trigger guard. It is plastic, after all...) I really hate the idea of my firearm falling into the hands of someone who would use it against innocent people.

As for a briefcase-type bag, yup, that's what I have now. The darn thing is just way too small for me... So I have to buy a bigger one anyway. That's what got me thinking about the ones with a holster in them - I'd hate to have the weapon just lying around there and get banged up by all the books and stuff.

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Tony S.

Why be normal?
 
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