Is "Printing" legal in Florida?

F

FUD

Moderator
When I applied for my CCW in Florida, it was explained to me that the gun must be "... concealed from ordinary sight ...". Exactly what does that mean?

If I carry a Kahr MK9 in a waist band, it is completely hidden and nobody can see anything. If I try to carry a 4013TSW, a bulge is noticeable. While the gun is concealed, someone who knows what they are looking at/for, can readily tell that it is a gun (i.e., printing).

If I'm "printing" am I in violation of the CCW law?
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The law is a little vague as to exactly what constitutes a careless display of a firearm. I would say that if it recognizable as a gun to a casual observer then you need to find another carry technique or get a smaller gun. Assume that concealed means totally concealed. Many of these statutes have not been tested in a court case. I wouldn't want to be the one who establishes precedent.
 
From what I was told by a Clay County Deputy, a bulge is o.k., how do they know its not a colostomy? That was his exact quote, but be carefull, if you bend over in the store and your gun is viewed as your shirt raises up, you have broken the law.

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I thought I'd seen it all, until a 22WMR spun a bunny 2 1/4 times in the air!
 
"Concealed from ordinary sight" usually means reasonably concealed. "Reasonably concealed" is open to interpretation. If the responding officer determines that the weapon is not reasonably concealed than it is not. (The premis is that the officer was called because someone reported you to begin with.) It is better to be safe and carry by this rule: Concealed means concealed. No tell tale bulge, print, or exposed portion of the holster. Nothing to give away the fact that you are carrying.

Of course, you can always risk the inconvenience of police scrutiny, possible arrest, possible loss of CCW liscense, possible confiscation of your firearm, prosectution for displaying a firearms, etc. ( It happens.)

Good luck,
Erik
 
That's sort of what I've been thinking which is why I carry the MK9 -- nobody (even a trained observer) can tell that I'm carrying a firearm. Although it sure would be nice to carry something a little bit bigger.
 
FUD: What TBeck & Erik said. Would the step up to a full sized K40 make THAT much of a difference due to your frame or build? Have you thought about a waistpack?(I know, I know, BUT they are seen everywhere in FLA)
 
Time for you guys in Florida et al to have your laws changed. Almost sounds like I am reading a Massachusetts gun listserve. What a trivial thing to be concerned about under the law.

Rick
 
Well, here is my two cents worth!

In Conn, when a bulge shows, police
stop you and inquire if you are carrying a conceled handgun. Yes, I am, officer and I have a permit.

Alright says the officer as he covers you with his Sig Sauer P229 -40s&w Pistol.

I want you to very slowly remove your gun with just thumb and forefinger and gently
place it on the ground. Then I will unload it
and I will keep it until I perform a Brady
Check on you.If you pass, I will return the firearm to you with a warning to keep the gun better concealed .

It is the police officers call weather to return the firearm or confiscate it for
bulge or printing.

If it was called in by alarmed public, the gun will be confiscated and the permit revocked.

If the police officer just noticed it and no one was alarmed, it is the police officers call.

I have watched this happen to others right in front of me while I was carrying and the police officer had no idea that I was.

I carry small & sneaky, mostly ...
Rarely I carry a full size sig.
 
sorry about double post; pestky computer problems.

[This message has been edited by ernest2 (edited April 05, 2000).]
 
VictorLouis,

When I lived up north, I had no problem carrying a compact 3913TSW in the summer and a full-size 4006 in the winter -- fully concealed on my frame (I'm 5'11" - 210 and about 30 pounds overweight). Maybe I haven't fully adjusted to living in southern Florida but with jeans and a tucked in shirt, I just can't seem to conceal those guns as well as I was able to up north. Fanny packs are okay when going to Disney or the park or the zoo but not when you're at work or the mall or supermarket. That's why I now carry the much smaller MK9.
 
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