IWB/OWB carry and the Public Bathroom

[inboost]

Ok, I know this is going to probably go down in flames, but I really do have a serious question!

I was wondering what the IWB/OWB CCW'er does when using the facilities in public. The urinal and the stall both present unique situations were it might be possible to reveal or even lose control of the firearm.

My largest concern was when in a stall and on the throne. The belt and pants supporting the carry rig are now around your ankles and the stall divider may not go all the way to the floor. If someone is in the stall on your strong side they may just get to see the firearm.

Other than avoiding them all together, what kind of advice do those who have been in such a situation have to offer?

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by inboost

Ok, I know this is going to probably go down in flames, but I really do have a serious question!

I was wondering what the IWB/OWB CCW'er does when using the facilities in public. The urinal and the stall both present unique situations were it might be possible to reveal or even lose control of the firearm.

My largest concern was when in a stall and on the throne. The belt and pants supporting the carry rig are now around your ankles and the stall divider may not go all the way to the floor. If someone is in the stall on your strong side they may just get to see the firearm.

Other than avoiding them all together, what kind of advice do those who have been in such a situation have to offer?

Urinal....when wearing a sam browne or a CCW rig you learn to pee like an old man...yep..unzip and use the access in your underwear to take care of business.

Stall...just take the gun out if you are worried about it and hold on to it. Then reholster when done.....

[BexSoCal]

Originally Posted by inboost

The urinal and the stall both present unique situations were it might be possible to reveal or even lose control of the firearm.

I can't comment on the urinal, however, when carrying IWB I first remove the gun and holster and place on something so it can't be seen from outside.

Do whatever I have to do.

Put holster back in pants.

[Sigman]

Good question In Boost. I don't carry so I won't comment but it gives me something to think about if I ever do. If I ever do carry at least I will have some advise in case of an "emergency" rush to the mens room if you know what I mean.

[Glock32]

Urinal: Unbutton and hold on the the belt end with your right hand keeping the gun close to your body. Left hand does all the work while right hand has only one job: keep firearm close to the body and concealed.
Stall: Unbutton and slide everything down halfway to your knees. Rest butt of gun againts knee while supporting the belt with your right hand.

I would NOT remove my gun from the holster or the holstered gun while using a public restroom. A holstered gun is a safe gun. A gun left behind while exiting the bathroom is a disaster waiting to happen.
Think it never happened, think again......

Practice at home. IWB is much easier in this 'unsupported' situation that OWB. Both work with practice.



Disclaimer: The fact that the guy in the example below is a cop has NO meaning. He is just another guy who legally carries a firearm. Mistakes can happen to everybody! Don't let it happen to you.

Cop loses gun in courthouse: Courthouse locked down while deputies search unsuccessfully for weapon

Friday, June 14, 2002

By Paul Janczewski
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER


The Genesee County Circuit courthouse was locked down Thursday morning after a Flint police officer lost his gun in a bathroom.

The gun, a .32-caliber pistol, still is missing.

The narcotics sergeant took the gun off about 9 a.m. to use the restroom but didn't realize until 90 minutes later that he had left the gun behind.

The building was locked down while deputies unsuccessfully looked for the gun. It was reopened after the search.

The incident has raised the ire of some court officials, who believe that officers who take a weapon into the building should be responsible enough to know its whereabouts. On-duty officers are allowed to take weapons into the building.

"I consider it a serious breach of his responsibility," said Barbara A. Menear, administrator of the Genesee County Circuit Court. "That puts everyone in jeopardy."

Genesee Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille, chief judge pro-tem of the court, agreed.

"At any given time, there are a number of children and others in this building who do not have the same concerns for safety as those of us who work here do," he said.

Menear said the officer, whom she and others declined to identify, was a witness in a criminal case on the court's third floor.

She said when he realized the weapon was missing about 10:30 a.m, he raced to the restroom but was unable to find the weapon. He alerted Genesee County Sheriff's Department deputies, who provide security for the building.

"The building was essentially locked down to prevent anyone from coming in or going out," Menear said.

Deputies searched the building to determine if the weapon was still inside.

"It was not found," Menear said, adding all the judges were notified of the incident.

There was only one jury present and no one in the jury pool awaiting a case. But Menear said there were about 150 people in the courthouse, not counting staff.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell said the officer had a right to be carrying a weapon.

"My concern is that he was on duty and had a right to be armed," he said. "We have a good policy, and this is the first time I know of something like this happening," Pickell said.

He said he will forward a report to the Flint Police Department and let it handle any follow-up.

"I have confidence Chief (Brad) Barksdale will handle this internally," Pickell said.

Barksdale was unaware of the incident when contacted by the Journal Thursday night but said he will investigate.

Menear and Yuille, however, said the court policy may need further review.

On Thursday, Menear issued a new policy that requires groups visiting the court to report in at the information desk. She said that will allow court officials to know if classes of students or other groups are there, how many are there and where they are.

The policy allowing officers to carry weapons into the court also will be reviewed.

Paul Janczewski covers federal, circuit and district courts. He can be reached at (810) 766-6333 or pjanczewski@flintjournal.com.

http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/...1617205830.xml

[hbliam]

That's why I said to hold on to it. I wouldn't want to forget it.

I haven't yet...wait....!!!!...crap where's that baby glock!!!

[OCResident]

Just remember "This is my pistol, this is my gun"

[Hoser]

Gee, the water is cold...

[roger92653]

and deep...

[LLthesign]

I've heard this conversation before and understand that it can be challenging for some. It's never been a problem for me. Urinal like an "old man." ( Never heard that one before but that's how it's done). When you have to take a seat on the throne, keep your belt around just above the knees- not all the way down to your ankles. I imagine it might be hard to switch things up if you've been doing your business the same way for your whole life, but see if you can keep the trousers up higher. It works for me.

[Apeman88]

Originally Posted by hbliam

Urinal....when wearing a sam browne or a CCW rig you learn to pee like an old man...yep..unzip and use the access in your underwear to take care of business.

Never heard it like that before (like an old man).... but that was how I was taught and been using an urinal "like an old man" since I got potty trained.

[DParker]

Originally Posted by Apeman88

Never heard it like that before (like an old man).... but that was how I was taught and been using an urinal "like an old man" since I got potty trained.

I'm not sure how else to pee at a urinal. What is the option...pull down your pants?

[Lee F. Smith]

Originally Posted by LLthesign

I've heard this conversation before and understand that it can be challenging for some. It's never been a problem for me. Urinal like an "old man." ( Never heard that one before but that's how it's done). When you have to take a seat on the throne, keep your belt around just above the knees- not all the way down to your ankles. I imagine it might be hard to switch things up if you've been doing your business the same way for your whole life, but see if you can keep the trousers up higher. It works for me.

Agreed, with the exception of I never use a urinal, always the stall. This will put distance between you and any problem that has followed you in there. Instead of standing there holding your pants in one hand and your.... in the other; you will be sitting holding your weapon in your strong hand...we hope...with distance and a locked door between you and any complications.

[inboost]

Great replies by all, thanks for keeping it (mostly) above the belt!

[BonoVox]

Urinal isvery bad because you turn your back to everything and everyone.

But let’s say standing up in a stall, you can unzip fly and pull down underwear without unbuttoning pants or unlatching your belt. Give it a try.