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So last week I went to the Allergist, for a checkup and to get my weekly allergy shots. Normally, I just wear a short-sleeve shirt which I'll just roll up, so no big deal. But this time I was wearing a long-sleeve shirt on top of an undershirt. Gonna be tricky! When I parked my car, I realized that this was going to present a problem, not just for the shots, but because of the almost certain "take your shirt off" portion of the checkup. So, at first I considered just letting the doctor see my gun at this point, preparing him with "don't be alarmed" before I unbutton my shirt. But then I concluded this would be an unnecessary risk.

Well before even that part of the exam, I had to get my shots. I should have known this would've happened first. I faced 2 problems, right away. One was that my undershirt wasn't long enough to full cover my gun when I was seated on the examination table, so I couldn't just take off my outershirt entirely. Two was that I didn't have a chance to disarm and hide my gun under my outershirt before the nurse gave me my shots. (I had assumed I would have a short interval, but nope!) So, with my gun side facing away from her, I took off just that sleeve, but kind of wrapped it around that side of me to conceal it. This was a lot more awkward and drawn out than I make it sound, though!

Well, when she left, I disarmed, took off my outshirt entirely, wrapped it around my gun, and set it aside. When the doctor came in, I didn't have any trouble, and after it was over, I asked to use a bathroom, and then put everything back together in there.

So here's what I keep thinking about. Let's say the nurse or the doctor or both noticed my gun. I imagine they might have had a problem with it, as their office is inside a medical center (not quite a hospital, but close), and many people mistakenly believe that hospitals are automatically off-limits. And anyway, you never know how someone is going to react. So, in case of an accidental exposure in this case, I've been thinking I would say the following: "Don't worry, I'm a State of Texas CHL." I think this sounds official enough to calm anyone's worries...almost as though I'm saying I'm a cop. And therein lies the rub: could this get you busted for impersonating a police officer?

Best plan ahead and avoid the necessity to expose your weapon.

Or say you're cold, so you're only going to take off one sleeve of your shirt. Make sure it is on the other side from your firearm, of course. Like a baseball pitcher wearing a jacket over his pitching arm, except you're actually wearing your shirt to cover your CCW, not for your arm.

Last time I went to the doctor, I just put my weapon in my backpack.

nitrogen wrote:Last time I went to the doctor, I just put my weapon in my backpack.

Ding ding, we have a winner! You know, I usually have my backpack with me, but that day I don't think I did. But for future appointments, that is a great suggestion. Thanks!

That is interesting because most all doctor's offices in Lubbock are part of either UMC or Covenant, and all of them have some sort of 30.06 sign on the front windows posted. Now some of them are not theoretically legal because the signage is not with the required spanish alternate, nor is the letters big enough in some instances. Regardless, I think it smart for them to not have 30.06 signs, but rather 30.05 instead.... however, I am not in Lubbock anymore, and now have to deal with a small town, where all the doctors are either in the hospital or in a clinic, and offlimits thanks to the 30.06 signs as well. Where you guys go are luck you can even carry in their buildings... I have to disarm prior to going (cause you know I'm not disarmed from my house to the office).

My $0.02 USD

--Brandon

I just went to my doc yesterday and was getting examined, the doc was feeling and prodding and was getting real close to my XD45 on my right hip, so I just told him it was there. He said "Cool, I have a CHL too" which started a nice conversation. His office is not posted and is connected to a med center of sorts, but most of it is closed down, so I had no qualms about carrying.

It was time for my 5 year colonoscopy last week. When I disrobed, I handed the XD 9 SC to Mrs. Oldgringo and told her to keep an eye on the Sawbones and his assistant to make sure everything came out okay. No problem.

My Dr that did my surgery for prostate cancer busted me while carrying.
Full story http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... +Hilarious" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When he asked if I was carrying when he did the biopsy his eyes were
Since I have taught him to shoot & every time in he wants to see my carry.
A good doc & friend.

Good one longtooth, nice to have an understanding. I was pretty sure my doc would be cool with it, but you never really know, and him having a CHL was really neat. He has a partner who I've seen once when he was out, I don't think he would understand at all, but I'm not disarming for him, like I said, they aren't posted.