bryang wrote:Excaliber wrote:Nighthawk wrote:Howdy folks ~ I just got my plastic yesterday and was reading the Wall World trip routine and it brought up a good question that I had, what to do in a public restroom. I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry .45 in a belt holster similar to the JAK holster at about 4 o'clock. The three inch barrel doesn't stick down out of the holster much and it quite comfortable. If I am in a restroom stall and lower my drawers the weapon will stay with the belt and will be in view to someone in the stall next to me. I'm sure others have similar situations and was hoping to tap into this wealth of experience and knowledge to come up with a plan on what I will do in these situations. Any feedback is appreciated.
Rule #1: Don't place the gun on any surface where it can either fall to the floor or be left behind. (Yes, people actually do forget to take the gun from the top of the toilet tank or the paper dispenser). That means if the surface isn't attached to you, don't put your gun there.
Rule #2: Don't hang or place it anywhere out of your reach.
Rule #3: Don't hang or place it anywhere it could potentially be reached by others outside the stall (e.g., on the coat hook on the door or on the floor).
The best solution I've found is to keep your slacks and skivvies at knee level and to place the gun into the "pocket" formed by the crotch of your clothing between your legs. In that position it's in your reach, out of everyone else's, out of view for anyone who isn't looking over the top of the stall, it won't fall to the floor, and you won't forget it when you leave.
Very good advise and the only thing I would add to these suggestions is that you
practice them at home. That way if you find yourself in a precarious situation away from home you will not have to worry about what to do! Find the one that works for you and you are good to go.
-geo
When you finish your business and need to reassemble yourself, you may find you have only two hands when you need 3 - 2 to pull up your pants and secure your belt, and one to hold the gun.
Don't even think about trying tricky stuff like tucking it under your chin until you get the belt buckled. A little thought here goes a long ways.
Here are three possible techniques that may work for you, with caveats:
1. Empty one of your side pants pockets (or coat pocket in the winter) of
everything and put the gun in the pocket until your pants and belt are resecured, then replace the gun in the holster. This only works if your gun fits
all the way inside the pocket. If it doesn't, you risk an attention getting drop to the floor upon which it may skitter out of the stall, and even a possible negligent discharge with certain types of guns.
2. Take a deep breath, clear everything else from your mind, and put the gun on a flat surface like the toilet paper holder or toilet tank. Then pull up and secure your pants, and immediately put the gun back in the holster. The trick here is to keep your mind focused only on the task at hand. Allowing yourself to think about anything else at this point can easily result in leaving the gun behind with lots of trouble that will find you in short order. Think that can't happen? It already has - lots of times!
3. Put the gun inside the briefcase or shopping bag you brought with you into the stall before you sit down. After you've got yourself back together, bring the container up to waist level so it's out of view from outside the stall and remove and reholster it. Keep your wits about you if you go this route - if you allow your mind to wander, it's entirely possible to leave the bag or briefcase
and gun behind. The risk of this increases with age (don't ask me how I know this), but it can happen to anyone.
