Why the concern over "imprinting" of a concealed weapon?

Welcome to the dark side. :rolleyes: I myself try not to print because I don't want others to know that I am carrying concealed. In fact open carry is not illegal here in Ohio but not all LEO know that and most of the general public don't. I don't want to have to deal with a Man with a Gun call. But to each his own.
 
Depends on your jurisdiction.
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Quite true, OldMarksman. General statements on a gun forum about things like "legal" and "illegal," without reference to a specific jurisdiction, is an invitation for trouble for those who believe that if something is on the internet it must be true.

Elmo
 
Personally, I couldn't care less whether others do or don't know I'm carrying.

I open carry a lot of the time; call it an old habit that started way before carrying concealed was even an option in most areas of the US. Here in Az, I can carry pretty much however I want to.

When I conceal, it's usually a matter of "appropriateness". In many cases, I simply stick a leather vest on, and leave it open at the front. It seems more fitting than open carrying into a bank or some such. No one ever seems to notice. 'Course, they don't stare when I open carry, either; it's pretty well accepted here.

If a person cares whether they're "made" or not, then they should take steps to avoid it. For me, a gun is just a tool that I carry, right along with my Leatherman and cell phone.

I don't care if they see it any more than I care if they see my cell phone or car keys.
 
Some people who carry legally do so just to get "in the face" of other citizens and LE officers. They take an attitude of "It's legal and if you don't like it, go to h**l."

But everywhere, even the most gun friendly areas, LEOs have the right to stop you and check your license if they know or suspect you are carrying. And if you rant and scream and tell a LEO where to go, you will probably be on your way to jail for disorderly conduct, license or no license, plus you will make no friends for concealed carry.

It is far better to keep your concealed weapon concealed and to carry in such a way as to not cause questions to be asked in the first place.

Jim
 
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Some people who carry legally do so just to get "in the face" of other citizens and LE officers. They take an attitude of "It's legal and if you don't like it, go to h**l."

But everywhere, even the most gun friendly areas, LEOs have the right to stop you and check your license if they know or suspect you are carrying. And if you rant and scream and tell a LEO where to go, you will probably be on your way to jail for disorderly conduct, license or no license, plus you will make no friends for concealed carry.

It is far better to keep your concealed weapon concealed and to carry in such a way as to not cause questions to be asked in the first place.

Jim
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Ditto Jim, +1 on that. I have few enthusiast friends who are like that, and I don't hesitate to tell them I'm against it)

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I hate using gun forum cliché lingo, but if I must ---- Having the "tactical advantage" over a potential predator is the most important thing we have going for us (short of actually carrying), and being secretly armed is what gives us that advantage. Having knowledge that I'm armed is on a need to know basis, and no one (other than family or close friends) needs to know.

A secondary reason for not wanting my gun to "print", is that I see no reason to make anyone nervous, and lets face it, guns do make some people nervous. That's not why I'm carrying, and I try to avoid it if at all possible. Even as a CC guy, I tend to go on medium-alert when I first notice another person is carrying. It's really none of my business that they're armed, and I wish they'd keep it that way.
 
I am a NUB and have not purchased my first gun yet.
I will also want to go CCW. Many in various forums discuss various holsters and shirts to allow being able to carry un noticed. Why? do you care? Is it to not let bad guys know your armed, or to not overly concern those you encounter during the day. This is NOT A KNOCK, just curious.
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I'll be honest. Carrying a gun covered with a garment, but done so in manner that allows others to spot the gun under the garment--- simply isn't done. It's amateur, to use but one description (I'll be kind).

Not only does it allow others to know you're armed, but also just exactly where your gun is. Other trained professionals (like cops) will also take notice.


Conceal it or carry it openly (not recommended). As for bad guys knowing you're armed, that's a matter of great debate. Allowing people to know you're armed can prevent you from being a crime victim in some instances, and can get you killed in others, as well as arming your assailant with your gun

Just my thoughts on the matter.:cool:
 
Another reason, besides those already mentioned: Believe it or not, some folks will report you as a "person with a gun" if they notice. At the minimum a hassle may ensue. Impolite. Ignorant. But true.
 
I was busted by local police while leaving a Home Depot because someone inside saw the imprint of my pistol in my back pocket. The officer was very polite and after unloading my pistol, checking my CCW and DL he returned my pistol and documents and sent me on my way, much to the surprise of the Home Depot employees. Florida's law states the firearm must be concealed from ordinary view. A recognizable outline violates this law. I got lucky.
 
The reason to carry concealed is to not let anyone know you’re carrying. Why let a BG know?

BTW, if you’re new to carrying you need to Google “Wally Walk”.
 
Two reasons ... why let the BG know YOU'RE the one with a gun? and No. 2, because letting others see your weapon when you have a CHL is against the law here in Texas, which does not allow open carry. Concealed means concealed ...
 
A typical response that should result in a lost CW permit

As DiscoRacing stated:

"I do print myself... intentionally...so people know that I DO carry..."

If Mr. Disco lives in a state requiring concealment of a weapon with a permit, I certainly hope he gets stopped by LEO to explain his reasoning...and loses the Permit to carry concealed.

The "Rambo" attitude is one that I personally hate, and wish the issuing authority could read his comments, since a state mandating "concealed carry" would most certainly revoke his permit.

Carrying concealed is a privilege granted by the state. Owning weapons is a right issued by the Constitution. Mr. Bronson...err...Disco should learn a lesson from people who do all they can to abide by the terms of the license and learn to carry concealed. It's the show-off's who like to flash their weapons that give CCW a bad name, and I for one take comfort in knowing most bad guys love "Disco-Attitudes" since all it takes is a lead pipe up-side the head to take the weapon...and I bet they conceal it better than he would have after they take it!
 
My definition: Printing is when you can clearly tell by the outline that it is a gun. You know, a "T" shirt pulled tight over a side carried pistol so you can clearly see the outline. I never intentionally print, but sometimes I do show a "lump". Not to show I am carrying, just the best I can do at the time with a given loose jacket etc.

Anyway, I happen to live in an area where people pay little attention to legally armed citizens. I carry all the time and I never even get so much as a side glance, not even by LEO. Like I said, people around here are relaxed about the whole thing. I am an old timer and I guess the figure that's my cell phone or gun, or some other gadget.:)
 
Open carry is legal in Kentucky, and there's no law against printing when concealed carrying, but I just prefer to let my little secret remain my little secret.

It's bad enough that I have to dodge hugs from friends and family and avoid my shirt tail flipping up when kneeling down in a store...I don't need to be worrying whether the soccer mom behind me at the grocery store is going to call the cops because she just got the Brady Campaign's latest newsletter on how CCers are the horsemen of the apocalypse.
 
I do not mind a bit of printing if it does not just scream out gun, gun, gun to all that see me in public:p. Due to the newer smart phones, and PDA type phones that go in belt holsters, or bulge in a pocket most people if they see something like a slight bulge they do not even seem to give more than a glance. After you start carrying for a while, the feeling that everyone can tell you are carrying will fade.
 
I rather not let know people know I'm carrying, to me it is like hiding your hand while playing poker.
These days some people will try you, just to see if you are a bad azz.
Last night I was with my family eating at a resturant that my cousin does security part-time.
He is a houston veteran leo in full uniform & some idot walks up to him & ask to see his side arm.:eek:
In truth , the guy probably has some mental issues , but still for a moment , he was about to go to jail for being stuipd.
My cousin handled it with some direct words to the guy , I gave my cousin some room in case there was further confrontation.
I got near my family & was ready to protect them from danger.
Not once did I mentioned to anyone but my cousin that I had my sidearm on me.
It is just wise to keep your side arm concealed for several reasons. :cool:
 
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I agree with the comment that most people live their lives oblivious to others. In fact, many people live their lives as if no one else existed. But there's more to it than that. Adults are mostly conditioned to not stare at people, at least while they're looking, to not look in certain places and so on. Children do not have that inhibition and will notice things that an adult will usually not look at. You might call it the Emporer's new clothes syndrome.

For every magazine article you might read about concealing a handgun, you could probably find one about how to detect a concealed weapons. So for those who are interested, they are looking.
 
One reason, among others, that I conceal my gun even though I am not obliged to do so is that I do not like talking to antis. There is just no point in having that conversation.
 
It's ilegal in OKlahoma,,,

The issue is really the fear of the carrier being identified as carrying a pistol.
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In Oklahoma, if your gun prints through your clothing, it is considered brandishing and can (not always) lose you your concealed carry permit.

It really depends on the DA of your county as to how far he wants to push it.

Payne county isn't bad at all but the DA in Oklahoma county prosecutes with vigor.

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On July 11, in Las Vegas, a man who was carrying concealed was shot and killed by metro police because a "concerned citizen" reported a man with a gun at a costco. He hadn't brandished his firearm in any way and had no idea the police were waiting for him. I don't intend to second guess either the police or the man who was killed but he's dead partly because somebody saw he was carrying. Just something to keep in mind.
 
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