This may seem silly, and I would like to see this thread be lighthearted in nature, but this is a serious question.
I do everything I can to avoid public restrooms, but sometimes it is the only option. One of the wierdest feelings associated with concealed carry, for me, is what to do with my weapon while using a public restroom. I obviously go for a stall instead of a urinal, but what about after you get in there? Do you un-holster and set the gun on the toilet tank or floor? I feel like I would need to un-holster because I carry a full-sized service pistol and 2 spare mags, which is rather heavy. Or do you leave it holstered for the sake of not having to handle the gun and not worrying about forgetting it in the restroom. I read a thread a while back about someone forgetting their gun in the restroom. Below is a link to a story to a man who somehow fumbled his Kahr .40 in the bathroom and shot a toilet, which goes to show that there are absolutely lessons to be learned on this topic.
I either fold it into my pants so it can’t be seen, or place it inside my pants. I also try to keep my pants pulled up to knee level. I never leave it on a surface in the stall, that’s a good way to forget it. NEVER hang it on a hook by the trigger guard!
I didn’t realize that most of the time I am out I use a public restroom. I had asked my friend what he does and he just leaves the handgun in the holster but doesn’t drop his pants to his ankles. He drops them to just above the knees where he can keep his firearm off the ground and out of the eyes of the person in the next stall. So I have been “practicing” this as I use public restrooms. I think it will take time to get used to cause I don’t have the weight of the firearm. But it seems plausible to do.
unclip holster from belt, tuck between my pants and my leg. basically hold the grip of the gun even with the top of my pants to conceal on the way to the floor, then tuck the pants over the top. flawless.
might not work with girl jeans, but then neither do IWB holsters.
edit-this is all accomplished without removing the firearm from the holster. unholstering in public is something i avoid.
I carry a commander length 1911 IWB and have used this method without a problem. It just seemed natural to me not to need to put my pants around my ankles…
I either keep my pants knee level, or place it on the back of the toilet… There is NO chance I would forget my pistol, we carry for a reason…We need to be aware of our weapon at all times.
I’ve always been a proponent of the 7 P’s and make sure that I take care of this issue during morning routine.
However, I have been caught out on the odd occasion and this is my plan.
I always attempt to occupy the end stall and ideally the disabled one. This provides more room, extra stand-off and limits the attack direction of the opportunist thief reaching into your pants and steeling your wallet or gun while you have your pants down!
If I am on-duty, I remain on comms and detach my radio from my pants and hold onto it.
If I have selected a large stall, I leave my gun in place in the holster so long as it is out of hands reach. I remain vigilant for anyone approaching the stall or movements inside the restroom.
Worst case, I unsnap the holster and place it inside my plants/underwear and like others ensure it doesn’t touch the floor!
I always place my wallet, knife inside also when off-duty and carrying so that I don’t look like a target.
I knew of a low-level gang in AS that would specifically target individuals in stalls in an attempt to steel wallets. It would be rather embracing to be caught with your pants down and loose you weapon or wallet!
I agree. There’s been a couple of goofy incidents though. Some guy… a fed of some sort discharged his pistol in a museum her in AZ when he was in the stall.
And I think there was a guy who shot himself in a bathroom recently…
Never thought about it…I usually take it out and put it on top of the TP device, but that’s more for quick access than anything…I ain’t going out like Travolta in Pulp Fiction.
