Tag: open carry
Friday, June 24th, 2011
Car Safes… How do They Work?
I want a car safe. I can carry to and from work, but not at work. Additionally, when I’m running errands, sometimes I stop by places I can’t bring my Bodyguard in with me. I have a locking glovebox, but I don’t think that’s enough.
There are different kinds of car safes out there… at a gun show once, I saw a metal mesh bag gun safe. I haven’t been able to find one of those again. There are also key locked gun safes and combo locked gun safes. I’m not sure how easy either of those would be for me to open quickly in the dark. I wish they made car gun safes with the same sort of open-sesame technology that is utilized on lockers for students with disabilities.
MasterLock's 1500iD
Abus 150/40 C
Masterlock makes a lock that has four buttons: up, down, left and right. The combo can be entered purely by touch. Abus makes a lock whose combination is entered by aligning mini-switches to positions numbered 1-4. It seems these locks would be easier to open in the dark in my car than a key lock or a combination lock would.
I’ve also seen fingerprint locking safes. Those just creep me out. For those of you who have a car gun safe, do you use the fingerprint, lock or combination type? Do you have any tips, tricks, advice, recommendations for me?
Tags: 2nd Ammendment, CCW, concealed carry, Defensive Carry, Female Shooters, Gear, Girls and Guns, gun safes, open carry
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
Give me Some Tactical Action!
My 24-7 Series Lightweight Tactical Pants should make ________ easy and comfortable.
(performance)
- Concealed carry: Concealed carry is super-awesome in these pants!!! In
24-7 Series Lightweight Tactical Pants in black. Photo credit: TacticalPants.com
fact, that might not be enough exclammation points. Here’s some more: !!! The reasons why concealed carry works so well with these pants is that the 24-7 Series Lightweight Tactical Pants from TacticalPants.com are made to accomodate such a large and stiff belt as the belt I carry with and these pants fit well around the waist. Because these pants have an elastic waistband, the pants accomodate the gun without taking any space away from my belly as happens with other pants this stiff which don’t have the elastic panel. Concealed carry in these pants might not be 100% concealed however. No they don’t flash, print, or show off my gun in any way, but other people familiar with the look of tactical pants might presume I am carrying. For example, I saw a guy in similar pants at the Bank of America ATM near my work and I scoped him up and down looking for his gun. If I’m doing it, other people probably are too.
- Open carry: Open carry is easy in these pants because of the large belt loops. The gun sits at a good place on my hip due to the great waistband and appropriate length of rise on these pants. The authoritative nature of these pants helps many people to feel more comfortable with me open carrying. They presume I work somewhere which requires a gun. Those of us know know that pants don’t automatically make someone a security guard, cop, military woman, etc. look at me cockeyed for open carrying in such an intense outfit.
- Walking, jogging, running: Walking, jogging and running in these pants is doable as long as you keep in mind that they require a little bit more force to get them moving because they are so darn stiff. I expect some of the stiffness of this fabric to relax over time, but they are not stretchy in any way. They do not give like a good pair of jeans does. Additionally, when doing anything involving the movement of your legs, keep in mind, especially if your thighs fight for space like mine do, everyone will be able to hear you coming. These pants swoosh when you walk. I was able to get away with wearing these pants in a quiet office all day and no one said a word, but I felt self-conscious as my wooshing filled my ears. On trips out shopping, I found that the pants noise wasn’t audible over the noise of the other shoppers however.
- Jumping, climbing: Jumping in these pants was easy, as was climbing. The stretch in the waist band came in handy while climbing over fences, etc. I was able to get my thigh above my hips easily. One tiny oops was that these pants gap a little bit in the waistband above my rear when I have one leg up high on a climbing wall. The harness I wear when I rock climb at the gym kept the gap from getting very large and replicating the movement at home in front of a mirror revelaed the gap isn’t severe enough to flash crack at anyone and wearing a belt solves the problem.
- Crawling, squatting down, bending over: Crawling, squatting down and bending over all went very smoothly. Crawling was much like climbing, only horizontal instead of vertical so the same ease of movement was there as was that same gap in the back of the pants. The gap was also visible when bending at the knees, back straight as if I were going to lift something heavy off of the floor. Wearing a belt solves this problem. As I presume most of you will be carrying, the gap won’t bother you since you’ll have your belt on.
- Sitting, standing: Standing still in these pants was comfortable to me, however sitting was not. The heavy-duty seams which I praised for their durability have a negative side-effect: when I sit down and my thighs spread horizontally as they tend to do, the seams dig into my legs. It wasn’t a painful feeling, but it did feel quite unpleasant. The feeling became less severe as the day of wearing them wore on; I don’t know if I became used to the sensation or if the pants loosened throughout the day. Fashion and function both on these pants are stellar and I’m not sure that a little bit of pain outweighs the gain, but I still felt uncomfortable enough while seated to be sure to include that bit of information here.
Summary: The pants are very well made. I couldn’t find an activity to do in them that wearing these pants instead of jeans or slacks made the activity harder to do or uncomfortable. They are made of a stiff fabric, but the elastic in the waistband helps to overcome that. These pants HELP me to not leave my gun at home rather than encourage me to leave it behind as some of the other pants in my wardrobe do.
Tags: concealed carry, Gear, open carry, pants, reviews, tactical pants, tacticalpants.com
Monday, January 31st, 2011
Carrying with Round Chambered
When I first started carrying a gun (open carry, I didn’t have my concealed carry weapons permit yet), I open carried an empty gun. I was nervous about open carrying and not confident in my ability to draw and fire safely. I didn’t open carry with a round chambered, I didn’t even open carry with a loaded magazine. I carried a magazine loaded in my pocket ready to switch out. I would have been open carrying a useless gun if I had been attacked; I knew that. But I also knew I needed to work on how comfortable I felt around guns and how safely I could open carry before graduating myself to first a loaded mag and empty chamber and finally to a loaded mag, round chambered. I now carry as I should and I have the option to conceal carry as well. This video demonstrates how important it is to carry your firearm, open or concealed, with a round chambered. If you’re not yet doing that, work yourself up to it for your own safety and the safety of your loved ones and others around you.
Tags: CCW, concealed carry, open carry
Thursday, December 30th, 2010
My purse, the 2nd most important thing I carry (besides my gun)
I have always been cautious about the location of my purse. I learned that lesson early on. I left my first purse in a bathroom stall at a restaurant as a small child and it had $40 in birthday money cleverly tucked inside a flap on my glasses case inside of it. I didn’t have a wallet, phone or anything else awesome in there; just kid stuff. But I’ll never forget leaving behind my purse and my $40. Ever since then, I’ve taken carrying a purse seriously. Knowing I’m a forgetful person and that I’ll set it down and leave it if I’m not careful, I’ve since selected purses that are harder to lose. Backpack purses, purses with straps long enough to be worn like messenger bags are worn; I’ve even skipped a purse and have carried a wallet instead as it stays in my pants where it belongs when I am shopping and can’t be set down to pick up something sparkly at a store. The concern I’ve had about my purse, weather guarding it from thieves or from my forgetful self has escalated recently though.
Ever since I trained for, applied for and received my concealed carry weapons permit, I’ve been even more mindful of my purse. This is because my concealed carry weapons permit is inside of it. If I lose my purse or if it is stolen from me, not only am I out money, as I was out $40 as a child, I am also out of my permit. A replacement concealed carry permit isn’t very much money, but the gun-naked downtime of not being able to carry a firearm concealed on my person as I await the arrival of my new permit is just too much to bear.
Additionally, my mind has been processing panic situations. What if my purse is stolen from me or lost and I am concealed carrying at the time? Do I take off my gun, knowing that concealed carry without my permit no es muy bueno? Or do I continue to conceal carry until I can get home and change? Being in Nevada, open carry is legal, but what if the outfit or holster I am wearing that day doesn’t work with open carry? Or what if I am in a situation where I don’t feel comfortable open carrying? How would I switch from concealed to open carry without causing those around me to be uncomfortable? Even changing in my car could get me “(wo)man with a gunned.”
GB and I talked about it and he suggested that I conceal carry straight home and if a cop pulls me over, I can explain to him my stolen purse as the reason why I not only don’t have my driver’s license but also my concealed carry license. That sounds a little scary to me. I decided I can switch from concealed carry to open carry in a nearby restroom or dressing room without causing a ruckus. From there, I can continue my outing or head on home depending on the open carry friendliness levels of my prospective destinations.
Concealed carrying causes lots of thoughts to run through my head… my outfits, my destinations, the people around me and now my purse. Carrying a gun has changed nearly every aspect of my life.
Tags: CCW, concealed carry, Defensive Carry, Female Shooters, firearms, Gear, gender, Girls and Guns, guns, open carry, Personal Safety, Preparedness, self defense, Situational Awareness
Monday, December 6th, 2010
Concealed Carry Cover Garment
My outfi
Once a week after work GB and I go grocery shopping. I can’t conceal carry to work due to their anti-gun policies, so before we head out the door for shopping, I take a minute to strap on my gun. Frequently my work outfit won’t accommodate concealed carrying. Here’s an example of that. In the first picture you can see that my shirt comes down past my waist and its tails are below crotch-level.From the side, notice how my shirt comes more than halfway down my butt. And yet, the length on this shirt isn’t enough to conceal carry a Bersa Thunder 9mm PRO UC.
From the side
If I were to lift my arms over my head, maybe to get something down from a high shelf at the store (and they’re all high shelves when you’re as short as I am), I’d flash my gun. Ugh. That’s not concealed enough to be conceal carrying and it’s not open enough to be open carrying.
I hate coming home from work and changing every week before I go shopping. GB hates it too, like all guys dislike waiting on a woman.
Reaching for something.
Well, I found the solution to my dilemma. It’s called a “Mini Midriff” shirt. I’m not even sure though that it should be called a shirt because it’s only half of one… the bottom half. If I had a brown one in my closet, I could have added the shirt to my outfit easily. I like this idea because I’ve already got enough clothes on. In the photo, I’m wearing a bra, my garment top and the brown and teal stripped shirt. I don’t want to add a cover-my-gun shirt to the mix. That’d make 3.5 top layers on (the bra only counts as 0.5). I’m pudgy enough without adding the extra bulk of too many clothes. And while it’s not too painful now, Nevada desert summers do not permit layers.
The Mini Midriff by Molly's Clothing. Photo courtesy of www.mollysclothing.com.
Here’s a description of the Mini Midriff from the manufacturer’s website:
“Coverage is key. The Mini Midriff adds length where you need it. Perfect to wear under stylish, shorter-length tops without the needless bulk or bother of a full undershirt. You’ll stay covered with complete freedom of movement. The Mini Midriff is part of our complete Molly’s “Mini” Line, created to accentuate your existing wardrobe and work with today’s hottest fashions.
• Comfort fit • Stays put for complete freedom of movement
• Durable, silky material • Fade-resistant colors designed to go with any style • Machine washable”
As soon as I can get some pocket money together, I plan on purchasing one in black and one in chocolate. When I do, I’ll let you know how they worked for me as a concealed carry cover garment.
Tags: 2nd Ammendment, Bersa, CCW, concealed carry, Defensive Carry, Female Shooters, firearms, Gear, gender, Girls and Guns, guns, open carry
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
Campus Crime
I received the below email in my student email box today. It is about an assault that occurred last night at my local community college. I attended classes last night, I was in the same parking lot as the victim was at the same time she was. This could have been me. Nevada needs campus carry. Our college police officers are not able to be everywhere preventing every incident, so we the potential victims need something to make up for that. We need to be able to carry on campus.
I want to annoy TMCC into realizing where I’m coming from on this. On campus there are these little blue phones you can use to call for an escort to your car when you’re on campus at night. But no one uses them. It takes a long time for your escort to arrive, the parking lot is generally lit and there tend to be students all around you in the parking lot, plus most nights everyone gets home safe, so the blue phones go unused. What if we could get everyone who wants to carry on campus, everyone who worries about their safety on campus to ring the blue phone after every class?
Ring and ring and ring.
Until it dawns on TMCC that they do not have the ability to be everywhere, that they can’t protect us better than we can protect ourselves, that campus carry is in there best interest or at least that it would calm down the ever-ringing phone.
Anyway, here’s the email:
“Timely Warning Notification, Oct. 20, 2010
This notice is for your awareness as you are a current student or employee at Truckee Meadows Community College:
On Tuesday Oct. 19, 2010, at approximately 8:50 p.m., police responded to a 911 call for assistance at the TMCC Dandini Campus. A female student reported that on the same date at approximately 6:45 p.m. she was walking in parking lot F when she was struck from behind and rendered unconscious by an unidentified person. When she regained consciousness she discovered the subject was gone, money was missing from her pocket and she may have been the victim of sexual assault. The TMCC Police Department continues to investigate this incident. If you have any information, please contact TMCC PD at 775-674-7900 or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
All students are encouraged to review the college’s safety tips found online at http://staysafe.tmcc.edu
The Truckee Meadows Community College Police Department is responsible for issuing timely warnings in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092(f). Timely warnings will be issued in response to reported crimes.
Note: This is an official message from TMCC’s emergency e-mail communication system. Your privacy is important to TMCC. Your name and contact information is not viewable by other students, faculty or staff.”
Tags: campus carry, CCW, concealed carry, Defensive Carry, firearms, gender, Girls and Guns, guns, open carry, Personal Safety, Preparedness
Friday, September 17th, 2010
The evolution of a gun girl
A bit more than a year ago, I was planning to leave an abusive marriage. I was saving money and walking on egg shells. A friend of mine suggested I look into self-defense. We both knew the most dangerous time for a women in a domestic situation is during the process of leaving and right after leaving. Statistically, she is safer to stay. He first suggested I learn how to shoot and get my CCW, just in case. I flat out said no. I didn’t like guns. Then, he suggested pepper spray. I was no more comfortable with that idea and never did go get the pepper spray.
But talking to him about personal responsibility got me started on a long road that’s lead me here. Here to where I go out to events like Gun Blogger Rendezvous and learn to shoot steel and cowboy fast action. Here to where I think that shooting at paper targets during events like Appleseed is a good way to improve my discipline, self-confidence, marksmanship, value as a citizen, hand-eye coordination and more. Here to where I do have my CCW.
Learning to shoot gave me back a lot of the confidence to try new things, to not be afraid of being good at something, confidence that I had lost in my marriage. I am so glad that I was introduced into the world of guns. It took me a long time to feel comfortable here. In my first post about my gun evolution, I wrote that around guns I felt sick, cold, nervous, unsafe. I have sure come a long way.
To read more about my journey, read these entries:
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How I Got Comfortable With Guns: Part I Get GG to feel comfortable with guns in the house
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How I Got Comfortable With Guns: Part II Get GG shooting
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How I Got Comfortable With Guns: Part III Get GG Comfortable with Open Carry
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How I Got Comfortable With Guns: Part IV Get GG Comfortable with Concealed Carry
I am thinking about my evolution, about personal responsibility and self-defense right now not simply because it’s been a year since the dissolution of my marriage, but also because my ex is attempting to come back into my life right now. He tried to friend me on the Facebook account I have locked down privacy-wise and am listed under my maiden name on; I, of course, ignored that friend request. Then, he sent me an email. It simply said “i miss you.”
I’m not going to email back.
I posted a links post for today which featured a blog called “Lawyer with a Gun.” He recounted the following conversation:
“I carry a gun to protect myself if necessary. I don’t carry it to intimidate, and I’m not a violent person. I’m may be one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. However, not everyone I deal with is that understanding.”
“Well,” the employee said, “you would have a different view if anyone ever pointed one of those things in your face.”
I paused for a moment. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, but the problem was not the gun, the problem was the individual who pointed it at you.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Besides, would your story have been any different if you had been armed and able to defend yourself?”
[a brief pause and look of understanding] “Never really thought of it that way.”
Here on a one-year anniversary from the divorce of an abusive spouse, here as a woman with a CCW, that conversation above is one that makes sense for me to have with myself.
Tags: 2nd Ammendment, appleseed, CCW, concealed carry, Defensive Carry, Female Shooters, firearms, gender, Girls and Guns, Gun Blogger Rendezvous, guns, open carry, Personal Safety, self defense
Friday, September 17th, 2010
Can anyone ID this holster?
My mom was shopping at the Goodwill Thrift Store near my home. She called me up and invited me to go shopping with her. I razzed her that she called me after she was at the store because she wanted to get there first and get all of the good stuff. Mom said that she did see something she thought I’d like: a holster. I asked her what kind of holster and she said she didn’t know and I said throw it in the cart, I’ll check it out when I got there. This is what I saw when I arrived:
It does fit my carry gun, but it has no tags or identifying marks on it. Help a girl out! What is it? How do I wear it?
Tags: Bersa, CCW, concealed carry, Gear, guns, holsters, open carry
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
How I Got Comfortable With Guns
Part III
Goal: Get GG comfy with open carry
I am a fretful person. When I’m teaching Sunday School and one of my little students stands on his chair or leans his chair back, I can picture him falling and getting hurt in my head clearly and easily. I rush over to get him down off of the chair or to right the chair correctly with all four feet on the floor. Just as I can imagine my little students getting hurt, when GB began open carrying and invited me to open carry too, I imagined myself getting hurt.
I had no fear from GB. He has always handled his firearms in a safe manner. I can’t emphasize that last sentence enough. Introducing someone to firearms when they have an opinion against them only adds to their negative ideas if you handle your firearm unsafely in their presence. Your careful and safe treatment of yourself, those around you and your guns goes a long way in building a positive impression of guns. Anyway, I wasn’t afraid of him, I was afraid of myself. Would I shoot myself in the foot while holstering or unholstering my firearm? Would I drop my gun getting in and out of my car or taking down my pants in the restroom?
I’m not only fretful, I am also easily embarrassed and flustered. I imagined not just incidents where I shot myself in the foot, but incidents where people confronted me. Yelled at me. Threw me out of my favorite stores and restaurants. Police came and interrogated me.
To assuage my shooting myself fears surrounding open carrying, I carried with an empty gun at first. No round in the chamber and an empty magazine in the gun. Yes, it was little more than a paperweight as far as its usefulness in an emergency situation, but I needed those baby steps. And those baby steps added up. From there, I carried an unloaded gun with a loaded magazine in my pocket. Then, I carried a gun with a loaded magazine, but a round not chambered. Baby steps add up! If someone you know wants to get comfortable with guns and starts on these types of baby steps. Don’t laugh, ridicule, belittle! Of course my gun at first was useless in a survival situation, but now it isn’t. And I got there. That’s all that matters.
These graduated steps solved my safety concerns, but what about my embarrassment ones? Well, GB helped a lot there. He explained to me in simple easy sentences what to do if… someone asks us to leave, the cops show up, etc. And he held his head high while we were out. No shame there. He also stayed right with me at first. We went down every aisle in Walmart together. He even went down the aisles no men usually want to go down because I was terrified I’d be confronted, asked to leave, escorted out of the building in handcuffs alone and he wouldn’t be able to find me. Again, baby steps. First we went together down each aisle, then we were a half an aisle apart and finally half a store apart. Don’t mock the baby steps; they work and that’s the important thing.
Thank you GB for letting me take small steps and for having patience with me. It has made all of the difference in the world for my progress in getting comfortable with guns.
Tags: Girls and Guns, guns, open carry, Personal Safety, safety, self defense, Walmart
