I am a new Florida concealed carry licensee. I could not find a definition of "concealed", but I notice that a licensee is not permitted to openly carry a handgun. I am confused about what is legal concealed carry and what is illegal open carry. If a handgun is carried in a holster on a belt that is in plain view, is this legal concealed carry or illegal open carry? Same question if carrying in a shoulder holster under a jacket that partially conceals the gun and holster. It seems like any carrying in a holster might be legal but this does not seem to be explained in the statute. Any help out there?
What is the definition of "concealed"
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+1 to what the others have said.
Without the legalese, if the average person you pass on the street can see that you've got a gun (if they looked), it's NOT concealed. Just keep it holstered and covered up (by shirt, jacket, sweatshirt, whatever) and you're good to go.
If you "print" (the gun's outline is visible through your covering garment) you should probably try to work on your concealment but are probably legal. Be prepared for observant officers to stop you and inquire. Always carry your license when you're carrying your gun!
The line is less clear about a concealed firearm "peeking out" from under your shirt or jacket when you reach for an item at the grocery store. I've asked a few officers, and most say that if they get a "man with a concealed gun" call they'd treat it like the above situation. If the caller is panicked, and reports "man with a gun who looks like he's up to no good" to 911, it might be a little more intense. Just be sure you ALWAYS carry your license.
- Str8Shooter
Without the legalese, if the average person you pass on the street can see that you've got a gun (if they looked), it's NOT concealed. Just keep it holstered and covered up (by shirt, jacket, sweatshirt, whatever) and you're good to go.
If you "print" (the gun's outline is visible through your covering garment) you should probably try to work on your concealment but are probably legal. Be prepared for observant officers to stop you and inquire. Always carry your license when you're carrying your gun!
The line is less clear about a concealed firearm "peeking out" from under your shirt or jacket when you reach for an item at the grocery store. I've asked a few officers, and most say that if they get a "man with a concealed gun" call they'd treat it like the above situation. If the caller is panicked, and reports "man with a gun who looks like he's up to no good" to 911, it might be a little more intense. Just be sure you ALWAYS carry your license.
- Str8Shooter
That's a whole 'nother Sam's Club-sized can o' worms.
See if this thread gives you some ideas:
http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=42
-JT
See if this thread gives you some ideas:
http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=42
-JT
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Bottom line, concealed means that someone else can't see it.
Can the guy in the car next to you at the traffic light see it?
How about the soccer mom behind you in the grocery checkout line?
The ushers at your church?
Gecko45 at the mall?
Whatever you have to do to keep it out of sight, do it.
Now, keeping it hidden and accessible enough that you can get it when you need it, that's what a good holster is for.
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Until you know exactly what type of holster you want to use, which will come with time and experience of wearing a concealed firearm for a while, I recommend that you buy a simple nylon inside the waistband holster like this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/staticpages/highres/937464.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct%3Fsaleitemid%3D932345&usg=__W8t3Yxn9NBKOKEA10EP6hL-jwD8=&h=375&w=500&sz=25&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=g-23fl5g4fSKBM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnylon%2Binside%2Bthe%2Bwaistband%2Bholster%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-US%26sa%3DN
They are inexpensive, work well, and can accomodate both semi-auto and revolvers. You can find them at gunshows and gunshops. I have used one for years and it works just fine for me.
Concealed is merely the gun or gun parts not being visible. Everyone may know that bulge under your shirt may be a gun, but it is legal if the gun cannot actually be seen. It is always in your best interest to meet not only the definition of the law but the spirit as well.
My advice to someone new to CCW is to hide it well. You'll be paranoid enough for the first few months and always thinking people see it on you. Make sure it's hidden from sight, but easily accessible. You may have to experiment with clothing, carry methods, holsters, and even actual weapons. (i.e. A full-size Glock is a lot harder to conceal than a Kel-Tec P-3AT.)
I still look in the mirror before leaving the house, and I've been carrying concealed for more than 2 years.
You may also want to pay attention to where you are going as well. Is it a Walmart, or the bank? Each may warrant a different level of awareness in how well you have concealed.
For instance - I recently did a series of jobs in local Bank of America branches. I had to pick up door keys before they closed, and perform the work after they closed. Sometimes bank personnel stayed around while I was there. Because of this particular situation; I changed from my normal IWB carry, to carrying in a cargo pocket. This ensured that there was NO chance that bending over or lifting equipment would inadvertently expose that I was carrying. Imagine coming in to pick up BANK KEYS, and someone seeing the outline of a gun through your shirt. No thanks!
I still look in the mirror before leaving the house, and I've been carrying concealed for more than 2 years.
You may also want to pay attention to where you are going as well. Is it a Walmart, or the bank? Each may warrant a different level of awareness in how well you have concealed.
For instance - I recently did a series of jobs in local Bank of America branches. I had to pick up door keys before they closed, and perform the work after they closed. Sometimes bank personnel stayed around while I was there. Because of this particular situation; I changed from my normal IWB carry, to carrying in a cargo pocket. This ensured that there was NO chance that bending over or lifting equipment would inadvertently expose that I was carrying. Imagine coming in to pick up BANK KEYS, and someone seeing the outline of a gun through your shirt. No thanks!
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Gentlemen and gentlewomen never reveal the force multiplier
You have confidence to be very polite and patient because the others do not know what you bring. They have no reason to get uppity and escalate a situation because you do not seem like a "threat".
Do not show, do not print even in open carry states.
Don't get me wrong...open carry when out in the woods with like minded people, but there's no reason to not have 'civility' and courtesy in town.
If everything crashes though, screw it, I break out the SERPA thigh holster:dancingbananapartyon:dancingbanana
You have confidence to be very polite and patient because the others do not know what you bring. They have no reason to get uppity and escalate a situation because you do not seem like a "threat".
Do not show, do not print even in open carry states.
Don't get me wrong...open carry when out in the woods with like minded people, but there's no reason to not have 'civility' and courtesy in town.
If everything crashes though, screw it, I break out the SERPA thigh holster:dancingbananapartyon:dancingbanana
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Look guys, I drive around town and several others here in Central Florida with magnetic signs on my truck that says in big bold letters "Concealed Carry Classes".Once in awhile I'll be wearing an NRA "Instructors" shirt.plainly marked and you cant help but notice what it says..I advertise it..In every restaurant, Circle K, 7-11, Kangaroo, truck stop, Wally World etc etc..I have never had anyone look at me strange, better yet, they ask me for a card and that includes the clerks, waitresses, etc in the places I visit..Truth be known, I dont try to hard to conceal..yes, I wear over sized shirts, not tucked in but if you looked you can see the bulge of the OWB firearm, either the 1911 or M&P9. I dont worry to much about "printing" when it is so obvious and everyone around here knows what I do. Several times I've pulled into or have been seated in restaurants where LEO's were present. They look at the signs and I usually get a thumbs up or a conversation ensues about what we carry.. I dont try to hide it, it's what I do for a living.
Having for most of my life being a greyman this was a hard transition for me but necessary for the business. It forced me to be in "Orange" or a heightened awareness level all the time when out of the house. Much to my surprise there has been no screaming panic attacks by anyone. Not at traffic signals, Walgreens, Denny's etc..Just keep it covered up and I dont mean with your skin tight muscle, wife beater t-shrit..
I have noticed that most liberals walk a wide path around my truck though and most BG's wont make eye contact anymore..dont know why..
Having for most of my life being a greyman this was a hard transition for me but necessary for the business. It forced me to be in "Orange" or a heightened awareness level all the time when out of the house. Much to my surprise there has been no screaming panic attacks by anyone. Not at traffic signals, Walgreens, Denny's etc..Just keep it covered up and I dont mean with your skin tight muscle, wife beater t-shrit..
I have noticed that most liberals walk a wide path around my truck though and most BG's wont make eye contact anymore..dont know why..
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I have noticed that most liberals walk a wide path around my truck though and most BG's wont make eye contact anymore..dont know why..
You know why :rolf
Do not show, do not print even in open carry states.
Paranoia about printing is a state of mind
Everyone is out there looking for that tell tale bulge on your hip so they know who to target to get a gun? :rolf
Brownie
You know why :rolf
Do not show, do not print even in open carry states.
Paranoia about printing is a state of mind
Everyone is out there looking for that tell tale bulge on your hip so they know who to target to get a gun? :rolf
Brownie
The best answer to this is based upon case law for Carrying Concealed Firearm statute. Simply put, if none of the weapon is DIRECTLY visible to the naked eye [even if the outline of the weapon is visibly imprinted upon covering clothing], then it is considered concealed. As for "printing", it is virtually impossible to move around with a firearm on your person without giving away the fact that you are armed. Try to keep printing and flashing at a minimum, but you can not truly disguise the fact that you are carrying. Even the way that you stand and move can reveal, not only that you are armed, but where your carry weapon is on your person. Usually, only BG's cops and other CCP holders will be looking for weapons. The general public rarely notices. So, don't worry, be happy.
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Reminds me of a related story. My wife, a CPA, handles trusts and estates and when a client died, she had to go to the bank, retrieve whatever is in the safety deposit box and get it ready for the lawyer to carry out the will.
She gets to the box, opens it and finds 6 loose pistols, everything from a silver finish derringer, Colt 45 with pearl handles, 38 snub, etc. Man there were some nice guns in there.
I asked her how she got them out of the bank and she said she just stuffed them into her purse, she said she was amazed the handle didn't break it was so full, ha ha.
I watched as the color drained from her face when I asked: "What do you think the bank guard would have done if you spilled those guns all over the bank lobby floor?".
(BTW: She now is waiting for her CCW)
She gets to the box, opens it and finds 6 loose pistols, everything from a silver finish derringer, Colt 45 with pearl handles, 38 snub, etc. Man there were some nice guns in there.
I asked her how she got them out of the bank and she said she just stuffed them into her purse, she said she was amazed the handle didn't break it was so full, ha ha.
I watched as the color drained from her face when I asked: "What do you think the bank guard would have done if you spilled those guns all over the bank lobby floor?".
(BTW: She now is waiting for her CCW)
I will have to agree with the Swamprat on this. I have a shirt from Florida Gun Shows that says in BIG letters oin the back "I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy" and has the logo on the front. Most people do not even notice what is says and the ones that do, just laugh and think its a joke.
I carry a license and a gun, and could care less what people think or think they see.
I jumped throught the hoops, now they can get over it.
Of course I have been carrying for a "while".:laughing
I carry a license and a gun, and could care less what people think or think they see.
I jumped throught the hoops, now they can get over it.
Of course I have been carrying for a "while".:laughing
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+1 with you and swamprat. I would carry openly in most cases if it were legal in Florida. I went to GA a couple weeks ago and carried openly most of the time. Almost no one noticed and of course those that did, did not say anything. My only suggestion is this. I know we are suppose to be aware of our surroundings all the time but you better be if you are carrying openly. You certainly don't want someone to get close enough to you that they can take it away and you were not paying attention. I know the OC does not matter here but I felt like typing so you have to read it to get to the end. See your still reading this and you cant stop. :rolf
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