Armed around police - the jitters do fade

[RHenriksen]

I'm not new to CHL, but this seemed like as good a place as any to post this small anecdote.

I got my plastic, and have carried daily, since July '09. Had a 2- year CHL in '95, but let it lapse :-( Anyhow, I'm the happy new recipient of an Andrews Monarch shoulder holster for my Walther PPS - xmas present, arrived last week.

I had to make a LONG walk through the bowels of the civic center parking lot Saturday evening to retrieve my car from the far corners of the catacombs. Came across an HPD officer working security in a golf cart, and he offered me a ride! (Wish I had the same luck at airports). I asked him if he'd prefer me on the back bench or front seat next to him, and he didn't care. I plopped down shoulder to shoulder w. him, and enjoyed the cool breeze as he whisked me off to car-side delivery. Super nice guy, I wish more of my LEO encounters were as friendly and relaxed as that.

Anyway, it wasn't under we were rolling along that it struck me - here I was, with my Walther tucked under my left arm, and it seemed perfectly normal to be shoulder-to-shoulder with the LEO.

Thought it might be of interest, for all those who are consumed w. paranoia about printing :-)

[Oldgringo]

Last week I ran into our Police Chief, Joe X, in our chosen apothecary. We carried on a conversation about something or another. AFAIK, he was unarmed. I was armed with my trusty SA 1911 all the while. Like you said, it's no big deal.

We frequently lunch at a hamburger place in a nearby town where both local and state LEO's sometime gather for lunch. We are all armed, the differences are that I can see theirs and they can't see mine AND they sit at a big table in the middle of the floor and we sit at a smaller one with me facing the door. Again, no big deal.

[A-R]

No big deal at all (but very cool of that HPD officer to offer you a lift ). Good story for the newbies though. Don't sweat it.

I am usually walking around amongst at least 4 or 5 armed LEOs everytime I go shopping at my favorite store .... GT Distributors

I'm always afraid one of them is going to say "Hey, my eyes are up HERE" while I'm staring at the nice 1911s I see in the belt holsters some of the small-town sheriffs and a few "Texas Rangers" types who shop there - beautiful guns and leather. Also been amazed at the variety of guns carried by Austin PD (though that is changing soon with requirement to use department-issued M&P.40). I've seen APD guys and gals with every size of Glock - subcompact, compact, full-size, and even long-slide competition guns with ported barrels in both 9mm and .40 carried in duty holsters (one guy was in there trying to have TruGlo TFO sights installed on a G35c and the front sight was hanging out over the port opening on slide); a few old S&W metal semi-autos, at least one Beretta, a few tricked out 1911s on some guys in tactical uniforms (SWAT?)

[jamisjockey]

Hee hee. I've had numerous encounters with various forms of LE while open-carrying over the years.
First started when I was a youngin livin in Arizona, open carrying my shoebox, er, uh, I mean Ruger P series. Mostly Border Patrol and Fish and Game types, but I've encountered Sheriff and Highway types, as well as City cops while open carrying. only encountered one jittery Fish and Game guy who asked for my fishing license in the dark, on a canal bank, at about 0300. I was bladed away from him unintentionally, and when he asked if I had any weapons I turned my hip toward him and said "just that". He didn't seem happy about it.
Asked once about my firearm about '96 when I was pulled over for exceeding the posted limit on a rural road. Nothing out of the ordinary though in Arizona to have a firearm wedged between the seats in plain view.
Had a Virginia HP type behind me in line after a day fishing, while I was OC'ing my Ruger GP. He snarked about not seeing alot of revolvers anymore
Being concealed around a LEO certainly fits well within my comfort zone these days.

[ELB]

One might reflect on why the political/social/legal situation is such that a law-abiding American citizen should ever feel nervous about being legally armed around police...

There has been much progress, but there is a ways to go.

[cougartex]

[WildBill]

I'm not new to CHL, but this seemed like as good a place as any to post this small anecdote.

I got my plastic, and have carried daily, since July '09. Had a 2- year CHL in '95, but let it lapse :-( Anyhow, I'm the happy new recipient of an Andrews Monarch shoulder holster for my Walther PPS - xmas present, arrived last week.

I had to make a LONG walk through the bowels of the civic center parking lot Saturday evening to retrieve my car from the far corners of the catacombs. Came across an HPD officer working security in a golf cart, and he offered me a ride! (Wish I had the same luck at airports). I asked him if he'd prefer me on the back bench or front seat next to him, and he didn't care. I plopped down shoulder to shoulder w. him, and enjoyed the cool breeze as he whisked me off to car-side delivery. Super nice guy, I wish more of my LEO encounters were as friendly and relaxed as that.

Anyway, it wasn't under we were rolling along that it struck me - here I was, with my Walther tucked under my left arm, and it seemed perfectly normal to be shoulder-to-shoulder with the LEO.

Thought it might be of interest, for all those who are consumed w. paranoia about printing :-)

A couple of years ago, I made a day trip to Galveston to have lunch with SeamusTx. We went to a little Mexican restaurant which is within walking distance from the Galveston PD and several other government facilities. I would say that at least 50% of the customers were LEOs carrying OWB and I was certain that a good percent of the other patrons were detectives or others carrying concealed.

I wasn't concerned about printing. I was carrying my Detective Special IWB, concealed under an untucked shirt. I'll admit that I was a little nervous at first, but after a while I felt safe. I was pretty sure that nobody in their right mind would try to rob the joint.

[WildBill]

One might reflect on why the political/social/legal situation is such that a law-abiding American citizen should ever feel nervous about being legally armed around police...

There has been much progress, but there is a ways to go.

For the last 30 years I would have been arrested and thrown in jail for just carrying a concealed handgun. Yes, after so many years of "oppression" it can take time to acclimate.

[speedsix]

...I've carried since I was 14, legally and not, openly and concealed...never been spotted when concealed...it's not really hard if you work at it...I've concealed 6" Troopers and Combat Commanders and S&W M58s...all the way down to a J frame...and a Beretta .22 ..it's a good feeling to be warmly dressed...also to be accepted for what we are ... sincere, honest American Citizens...by our LEOs...by far the majority approve of our being armed..I've never been hassled, even when walking the roads in La. with a .38 on my 15-year-old hip...attitude helps a lot and we really AREN'T looking for trouble...MOST of us...we're "just folks"!!!

[WildBill]

...I've carried since I was 14, legally and not, openly and concealed...never been spotted when concealed...it's not really hard if you work at it...I've concealed 6" Troopers and Combat Commanders and S&W M58s...all the way down to a J frame...and a Beretta .22 ..it's a good feeling to be warmly dressed...also to be accepted for what we are ... sincere, honest American Citizens...by our LEOs...by far the majority approve of our being armed..I've never been hassled, even when walking the roads in La. with a .38 on my 15-year-old hip...attitude helps a lot and we really AREN'T looking for trouble...MOST of us...we're "just folks"!!!

Speedsix, I appreciate your post, and don't want to come down too hard on you, but I disagree with your basic premise that as long as you can get away with it, you should carry a 6" Trooper, Combat Commander or a S&W M58. I agree that the odds against getting caught may be small, but please consider the consequences if you do.

It may be true in "your part of the country" but in many areas LEOs still don't approve of citizens being illegally armed. Even if that is their personal opinion, they still are sworn to uphold the law and will arrest people for illegal carry. IMO, the decision to carry illegally or not has little to do with the odds of whether or not you will get caught. It's about obeying the law. In most jurisdications pleading, "we're just folks" just won't cut it.

[terryg]

It's been just over six months since I got my plastic and I went from:

Acting nervous and twitchy when I got stuck behind a LEO in line at Pizza Hut on my first Wally-Walk day. I was carrying a tiny Beretta Tomcat and I was sooo worried that I was printing that I just couldn't sit still. My 14 year old daughter was in the car just outside the store front Pizza Hut laughing at me.

To:

My recent encounter reporting vandalism in my front yard carrying my SR9c. I did have a moment when he asked for my name and other personal info of wondering if that is the same as requesting ID. But even in the face of a little doubt about whether I should present my CHL, I was not at all nervous or even worried that he would be able to tell.

[rmr1923]

It's been just over six months since I got my plastic and I went from:

Acting nervous and twitchy when I got stuck behind a LEO in line at Pizza Hut on my first Wally-Walk day. I was carrying a tiny Beretta Tomcat and I was sooo worried that I was printing that I just couldn't sit still. My 14 year old daughter was in the car just outside the store front Pizza Hut laughing at me.

To:

My recent encounter reporting vandalism in my front yard carrying my SR9c. I did have a moment when he asked for my name and other personal info of wondering if that is the same as requesting ID. But even in the face of a little doubt about whether I should present my CHL, I was not at all nervous or even worried that he would be able to tell.

here's a newb question... if you are printing and an LEO spots it, what will happen? i imagine most would ask to see your ID and CHL to verify that you're carrying legally, but other than that what would an LEO do or say? has anyone had an encounter like this?

[Divided Attention]

Printing is not a problem, and not near as big a problem as you think the first time you try to hide the 900 pound 4 foot tall weapon under the unbelievably thin threads of the previously occlusive material of your shirt.

For me personally it has gotten easier not only around LEO but "in general" to the point I don't feel dressed without it. Kinda like when I don't have my watch on, or when my wedding rings were being resized because the gold shrank according to the jeweler

[speedsix]

...I've carried since I was 14, legally and not, openly and concealed...never been spotted when concealed...it's not really hard if you work at it...I've concealed 6" Troopers and Combat Commanders and S&W M58s...all the way down to a J frame...and a Beretta .22 ..it's a good feeling to be warmly dressed...also to be accepted for what we are ... sincere, honest American Citizens...by our LEOs...by far the majority approve of our being armed..I've never been hassled, even when walking the roads in La. with a .38 on my 15-year-old hip...attitude helps a lot and we really AREN'T looking for trouble...MOST of us...we're "just folks"!!!

Speedsix, I appreciate your post, and don't want to come down too hard on you, but I disagree with your basic premise that as long as you can get away with it, you should carry a 6" Trooper, Combat Commander or a S&W M58. I agree that the odds against getting caught may be small, but please consider the consequences if you do.

It may be true in "your part of the country" but in many areas LEOs still don't approve of citizens being illegally armed. Even if that is their personal opinion, they still are sworn to uphold the law and will arrest people for illegal carry. IMO, the decision to carry illegally or not has little to do with the odds of whether or not you will get caught. It's about obeying the law. In most jurisdications pleading, "we're just folks" just won't cut it.

...well, that's what I get for assuming...my post had nothing to do with getting away with anything...it's a recounting of my life's experience in carrying concealed...I carried illegally when young and until I became a cop, legally when I was a cop,(when I had occasion to carry the big ones I listed)legally since we've had CHLs...I don't know where you got the "your part of the country" you quoted...I guess because of my reference to La.....and I didn't say most LEOs approve of us being illegally armed...and the "we're just folks" refers to us, the CHL crowd...this mess is proof that if something can be misunderstood....it will...I wasn't endorsing illegal carry...I was running down the times of my life...oh, well....I guess if it ain't worth two pages to spell out every date and explain every phrase...you gotta take your chances....

[eureka40]