TexasCHLforum.com

Read in another forum a comment about Texas being very hard on "brandishment" to the point that concealed better be absolutely concealed.

I am concerned because my planned carry is a Guardian 380 in a front pocket using a hip pocket holster. To me, the bulge, which looks about like a wallet, screams, "I have a gun in my pocket." Granted, most people wouldn't notice or care, but an observant LEO would probably guess that I was carrying. Would I be putting myself at risk of getting in trouble with a LEO for having a bulge in my pocket? Under normal circumstances, would that be illegal printing?
Thanks, Paul

You might put "brandishment in the search feature. If I recall correctly there is no brandishment law in Texas. In order to get in trouble you have to intentionally carry in a fashion that is not concealed. In a pocket, is concealed.
You would really have to search, I think, to find even a few cases where someone has been brought up on actual charges, since the instatement of the CHL laws.

I quite often drop a pocket pistol in my front pocket. Of course, in the course of a day i also carry alot of odd tool shapes in my pokcets that could be mistaken for handguns, if someone was wanting to do some imaginative thinking they claim I was brandishing a 90 degree drill attachment in my front pocket.

That Guardian in a flat faced holster should be way fine. Unless you are wearing skin tight pants. I can carry a Bersa mini 9mm in my front pocket, and not worry about it.

I do make a real effort to conceal, but i don't let fidgety anxiety draw unwanted attention either.

Printing or being "made" is not considered brandishing as long as the CHL holder has made a reasonable effort to conceal his firearm. There really isn't such a thing as "illegal printing" unless you KNOW that it's obvious to the normal or casual observer that you're carrying a firearm and you make no effort to do something about it. A bulge doesn't really qualify as printing in my book.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I drop my PPK/S in my front pocket in a flimsy UM IWB holster when I wear Dockers or a shorts with no worries...NOONE notices.

A bulge is OK, the outline of the weapon is not.

Thanks for replies. I should have thought of the search feature . The Princess and I will be taking the CHL class the end of this month so I'm sure these kind of questions will be answered. I also need to read up on the actual statues.

I think I'm more concerned about concealment because I'm from the much older generation that was raised to keep shirttails tucked in. (Also I learned to never wear a hat/cap inside a building and that real men don't eat quiche or wear tassles on their shoes. )
Thanks again, Paul

I just recently started wearing my shirt untucked for this very reason - allows a much better / more comfortable carry than IWB or ankle (at least for me). It is hard to get used to, but I added a t-shirt under the outer shirt and that makes me feel better. I still kinda feel like a slob, but nobody noticed the change and it is more comfortable so I will stick with it.

ElGato wrote:A bulge is OK,

I need to get one of them.

Kalrog wrote:I just recently started wearing my shirt untucked for this very reason - allows a much better / more comfortable carry than IWB or ankle (at least for me). It is hard to get used to, but I added a t-shirt under the outer shirt and that makes me feel better. I still kinda feel like a slob, but nobody noticed the change and it is more comfortable so I will stick with it.

Never underestimate the power of a tuckable IWB holster. It takes extra practice to rip your shirt out, then draw, but it works very well for me, expecially at work.

Here's my experience with a tuckable holster; a Sparks VM-II with Kydex clips installed. It sounds like other folks have had better luck.

Chas.

From 1911forum.com wrote:Okay guys, I need some help. I love my VM2 with the belt loops, so I decided to give the Kydex clips another chance. (They've been in the dead holster drawer for over a year now.)

I finally got the holster on the pants by putting it on before I put the pants on. Getting the shirt tucked was a real hoot; I looked like my 200# sister-in-law trying to get into pantyhose small enough for her 14 year old 90# daughter. My wife was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe and I think I even saw the dogs snickering! Grabbing the shirt with my left hand through on open fly and with my right hand stuck in the back of my pants and working it back and forth like dental floss must have been too much for them to bear. If this is the normal procedure, I'd better get all of the serious bathroom work done before leaving the house.

There has to be a better way. How do you guys do it?

Thanks,
Chas

nitrogen wrote:Never underestimate the power of a tuckable IWB holster. It takes extra practice to rip your shirt out, then draw, but it works very well for me, expecially at work.

Agreed. I was wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt while chatting with a co-worker about her concerns with an employee who worked at another site. He constantly advertised that he carried and she was concerned about her safety while working there.

I listened while considering that she was sharing her worries with a guy who had a Springfield Ultra Compact .45 on his hip.

The moral of the story is that a decent tuckable IWB holster can be used in an office environment and the people you work with everyday will not even be aware of it but you still look neat and tidy. Getting your shirt neatly tucked in is a minor ritual that takes only a minute at the start of the day.

pfgrone wrote:To me, the bulge, which looks about like a wallet, screams, "I have a gun in my pocket."

I keep reading this term "screams gun" and you know - I have never had a gun scream. When I see a fanny pack I don't think gun. I think fanny pack. I don't look for bulges in pockets, and I doubt seriously if many people do. Hawiian shirts mean hawiian shirt. Untucked shirt means untucked shirt. Now a holster with a gun in it means gun.

I have made a few packers in my day, but more often than not, their demeanor and attention to their surroundings is a better indication.

Pack like you want and quit worrying. I am happy you are packing. Just don't scream at me.

Anygun

anygunanywhere wrote:Pack like you want and quit worrying. I am happy you are packing. Just don't scream at me.
Anygun

OK!!!! NEITHER MY GUN NOR I WILL SCREAM ANYMORE!!!
Paul

As a former cop, I seem to actually look for armed people. Believe me, its one of those things I wish I could get over. I also still look at inspection stickers of cars around me, I am constantly observing and noting traffic violations, and I do other "cop" things. I wish I could relax some........;)

What draws MY attention is people touching the gun thru the clothing. Many people do this with realizing it. I also notice unusual activity and body movements, like a guy holding his jacket/vest/shirt down with one hand while digging for his wallet with the other....

There are other tells, but in general, the type of clothing, in and of itself, is not one for me.

What draws MY attention is people touching the gun thru the clothing. Many people do this with(out) realizing it.

That's a good one. I have noticed I do this but I know I'm doing it and I do it intentionally. Just making sure everything is correct and in place.