Empty holster

[A-R]

So we loaded the kids up in the minivan today late morning to go to the "splash park" one of those big concrete slabs with pressurized water spouts in the concrete that shoot up water and the kids run and splash and play and have a great time. Nice place within a city owned park, open free of charge to public (so of course PACKED withe people on a Saturday).

I'm standing just outside the fenced area taking photos of my kids (and trying to keep my camera dry) when my elbow rubs against my hip where I'm carrying my Crossbreed and Glock 27 and something doesn't feel right. So I check the area with my right hand and ... EMPTY HOLSTER!!!

I scurry back to the picnic area, no gun laying on the ground anywhere, back to minivan - no gun in parking lot or in van. Now I'm a bit frantic.

So I retrace my steps in my head. And then it hits me .... I remember my daughter and son (4 and 18 months) were playing hide and seek or something in mommy and daddy's bedroom while I was getting dressed. My safe is in my closet and while I was strapping on the Supertuck my daughter was in the closet with me, door closed, pleading with me to hide from the "monster" (her little brother). Then mommy was yelling "come on, let's go!" .... I LEFT THE GLOCK IN THE SAFE AND NEVER PUT IT IN THE HOLSTER IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!



Sure enough, just got home and there it was sitting in the safe where I left it last night.

I gotta tell you that was a VERY UNEASY feeling being at that public park with my wife and kids and some other friends and knowing I was NAKED under my cover garment. I had my Kershaw Blur knife, an empty Crossbreed, and even a full spare G23 mag with 13 rounds in my mag carrier on my left hip .... BUT NO GUN. I guess if the knife didn't work as a self-defense tool I could've thrown the full mag of .40-cal at a bad guy. Hit 'em in the forehead hard enough and it would leave a good welt. It's not like we live in an unsafe area, but there have been a few pervert/pedophile issues at that park and there are just a TON of people there on a Saturday. Perfect area for a snatch-n-grab crime. Needless to say I kept my eyes laser locked on my kids the entire time we were there.

Anyway, today's lesson: DON'T GET DISTRACTED WHILE GETTING DRESSED. And I'd prefer to forget to put on my pants than to forget to put on my gun.

[oran214]

I left my gun in the car at the doctor but still wearing the holster. The doctor ordered an ekg. The nurse came in and told me to undo my shirt and lay down, I knew she would see it, owb at 3 position. She asked, "do you carry a pistol?" I said yessss. She just smiled. Pretty funny I thought. I should have ask her what she carries but didn"t want to push it.

[seniorshooteress]

I know what you mean AR about not having your protection with you. I have to go to a dance recital tonight at the local high school, meaning I have to go "naked". Sure not likely that idea at all as it will be dark when we leave there and that is when most of the boogers are out. Have to park in school parking lot so have to just leave the gun at home tonight. Woe is me!

[A-R]

someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you can keep the gun in your car in school parking lot as long as you have a CHL issued by the state where the school is located (this avoids problems with Federal law; you're already covered by Texas law under MPA even if you didn't have CHL).

again, someone will come along and correct me if I"m wrong, but this is the way I understand it.

[Quahog]

someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you can keep the gun in your car in school parking lot as long as you have a CHL issued by the state where the school is located (this avoids problems with Federal law; you're already covered by Texas law under MPA even if you didn't have CHL).

again, someone will come along and correct me if I"m wrong, but this is the way I understand it.

Yep, that's right. In fact, it was something our CHL instructor mentioned about what he has to do when he goes to school to have lunch with his grandkid.

[seniorshooteress]

Actually the reason I am not taking the gun and leaving it in the car is I am afraid the car could be broken into. Last year several cars had been broken into during this dance recital activity. They may or may not have security this year but don't want to take a chance. The nearby business had also towed cars parked in their area's and I can't park up close enough to be able to check on my vehicle. Don't know if the cars where things came up missing had be locked or unlocked. Just better to have my gun safely at home I am thinking.

[Quahog]

Actually the reason I am not taking the gun and leaving it in the car is I am afraid the car could be broken into. Last year several cars had been broken into during this dance recital activity. They may or may not have security this year but don't want to take a chance. The nearby business had also towed cars parked in their area's and I can't park up close enough to be able to check on my vehicle. Don't know if the cars where things came up missing had be locked or unlocked. Just better to have my gun safely at home I am thinking.

Can't argue with that logic!

[Quahog]

Anyway, today's lesson: DON'T GET DISTRACTED WHILE GETTING DRESSED. And I'd prefer to forget to put on my pants than to forget to put on my gun.

This came home is spades for me today when I realized, I left the house without my wallet (and my CHL)... I didn't waste any time getting back to pick it up.

[MoJo]

My carry gun is always in the holster if it is in the safe it is in the holster. It's a lot harder to forget that way.

[PJK]

My carry gun is always in the holster if it is in the safe it is in the holster. It's a lot harder to forget that way.

I have a different holster for each of my carry guns. I leave them holstered all the time.

I can empathize with the feeling of being naked. The wife and I went out with some friends just outside downtown Houston. There were a number of people walking around that made those little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. We walk into the establishment to meet our friends. It was a piano bar, and they told us they also served food. As we walk in I see the dreaded 51% sign and immediately my wife and I go outside. Under cover she hands me her Beretta and my Glock and put them in the car safe. Now all I have is my knife and I grab my tactical flashlight. Walking back to get the car, which is now on a very dark street next to an abandoned building, I am on hyper-alert. I drive to pick her up (was not going to have her walk with me) and all is well. We decided right then and there that a bar visit is not in future. We both felt weird all night.

[Ol Zeke]

Actually the reason I am not taking the gun and leaving it in the car is I am afraid the car could be broken into. Last year several cars had been broken into during this dance recital activity. They may or may not have security this year but don't want to take a chance. The nearby business had also towed cars parked in their area's and I can't park up close enough to be able to check on my vehicle. Don't know if the cars where things came up missing had be locked or unlocked. Just better to have my gun safely at home I am thinking.

I got three of these http://www.cabelas.com/p-0045006229676a.shtml
One for me, one for my Wife and one for my daughter. They also make one that uses a key that is less expensive. Should be adequate for the average "smash and grab" (I hope).

[PJK]

My wife and I have these as well. I bought them from Center of Mass - http://www.center-of-mass.com/Store_InCarGunSafe.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . My wife has two in her truck, I have one, we put one in my daughters truck should we be driving it and have a spare for taking to hotels. These are great!

[HighVelocity]

I never walk out the door without doing an equipment check. It has saved me from leaving the house with an empty holster more than once.

[.45mac.40]

austinrealtor
Man..... that would have scared anyone. Gotta' be a worse feeling, than losing your wallet ! Scary !!!
I'm around my 3 & 6 year old Gdaughters, I'm always thinking ... is it safe/hidden here or there, when not on my hip, while playing, chasing them in the house, jumping on the couch, etc. ((( I know, I know ..... NO JUMPING on tha' couch !!! )))
Horrorable feeling ... huh ?
THANKS for sharing ... appreciate your being here !!!

Mac

[Dragonfighter]

I have gotten in the habit of patting myself down anytime I step outside. The gun has become enough of a habit that, as some have described, is just part of getting dressed. What DID happen not too awful long ago, is the wife and I went out to run a lot of errands (all day) and we ended up at Pei Wei. When it came time to pay, I reached for my wallet and went kind of pale. The wife asked what was wrong and I simply said, "Do you have any money?" She paid and we picked up the order. I asked her to drive home. When I got inside the door there was my wallet where I had left it, but I had been driving and shopping for 10+hours without one whit of ID.

Thus the new routine: Pat - keys, Pat - wallet, Pat - pistol, Check for watch on wrist and that my fly is up (yes that's an issue too). Then and ONLY then do I step through the door.