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Do you still "pat"?

bigdaddy1

Regular Member
Joined
May 7, 2009
Messages
1,320
Location
Southsider der hey
I have been open carrying for some time now and still find myself occasionally patting my sidearm to make sure its still there and secure. I try to do it nonchalantly as possible but still feel every eye is on my sidearm as I am "reaching" for it.
 
H

Herr Heckler Koch

Guest
No. The feel of the pistol against my hide is a positive attribute of concealed carry for me. I trust my OC SERPA implicitly.
 

SovereignAxe

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2011
Messages
791
Location
Elizabethton, TN
No, but I do have to reposition it to 8 o'clock when getting out of my car. Car seats seem to want to push it back to 9 o'clock which is a little uncomfortable for my bony hips.
 

SigGuy23

Activist Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
323
Location
Freeland, WA
I don not pat mine. I do how ever put my elbow against it. Usually when I do this is when I'm in a line with people behind me. This way I will know if someone is reaching for it. I also reposition when stepping out of my car.
 

jwinkeler

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
88
Location
Centreville, Va
I don not pat mine. I do how ever put my elbow against it. Usually when I do this is when I'm in a line with people behind me. This way I will know if someone is reaching for it. I also reposition when stepping out of my car.

That's what I do


Look Sharp, Act Sharp, Be Sharp.
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
If it is where it belongs I can feel it with my elbow as my arm hangs normally at my side. Appendix, way-past-the-hip, cross-draw or FBI or more extreme cant carry will make that more difficult. Selection of a properly fitting holster that can be placed on the belt in such a way as not to move about also helps greatly. I use belt loops to keep the holster from shifting - and have paid a tailor to add a loop or two on some of my pants (jeans mostly) to be able to do that.

The only times I "pat" are going out the door and before opening the restroom stall door. I've walked out of the house and had to turn right around, but never once I'm out of the house.

stay safe.
 

MSG Laigaie

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
3,239
Location
Philipsburg, Montana
I don not pat mine. I do how ever put my elbow against it. Usually when I do this is when I'm in a line with people behind me. This way I will know if someone is reaching for it...........

I use the "elbow trick" too. Putting a hand on a pistol stock in public could be misconstrued as "brandishing"(I hate that ambiguous word). That, my friends, is not legal in Wa State. It is the only thing that could give a LEO justification to charge me. I think I will stick with the elbow.
 

j4l

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2011
Messages
1,835
Location
fl
There's little doubt, for me, that a full-size .45 auto is where it need to be. So, no, i dont normally "pat" it.
The elbow trick ^^ sometimes, at most.
When I get in/out of the car, I do re-position/adjust sometimes, and often double-check to make sure nothing has accidently knocked the ambi safety levers out of place ( a silly concern, though, as this has never happened no matter what/how I've moved).
 

DrakeZ07

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
1,080
Location
Lexington, Ky
With the noise my .40SW Hi-point makes when I walk, its size-of-a-brick profile, and dead weigh in my holster, keeps me from having to pat it or anything to make sure it's still there.

I do, however, rest my right arm, and elbow on the grip, lol, the Hi-point makes for an awesome arm rest when your waiting in line, and dont have anything to lean against. :3
 

since9

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
6,964
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
I have been open carrying for some time now and still find myself occasionally patting my sidearm to make sure its still there and secure. I try to do it nonchalantly as possible but still feel every eye is on my sidearm as I am "reaching" for it.

Oh, yes. Not "all the time," but at least once while I'm entering a store, and again about half way through a shopping trip.

I also check after I've entered my vehicle and buckled up.
 

Mike

Site Co-Founder
Joined
May 13, 2006
Messages
8,706
Location
Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
I have been open carrying for some time now and still find myself occasionally patting my sidearm to make sure its still there and secure. I try to do it nonchalantly as possible but still feel every eye is on my sidearm as I am "reaching" for it.

No, in fact i always try to carry somthing in my carry hand, like keys, starbucks, etc., just to make sure nobody can accuse me of grasping or pretending to draw or otherwise intimidate people.
 

007boarder

Regular Member
Joined
May 30, 2012
Messages
27
Location
Loudoun
As others have mentioned I often rest my elbow when waiting in a line or around other people. Other than that though, when walking and such despite almost forgetting it is there, I won't do a pat.
 

HKcarrier

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
816
Location
michigan
I only touch it when I re-position/adjust it... Otherwise, as others have noted, it makes a darn good arm rest and is always covered as such when in lines or others are within my work space... also my arm naturally hangs over it for 2 reasons.... protection and knowing it's there..

Most times i can adjust it with my elbow.
 

ManInBlack

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
1,551
Location
SW Idaho
I use the "elbow trick" too. Putting a hand on a pistol stock in public could be misconstrued as "brandishing"(I hate that ambiguous word). That, my friends, is not legal in Wa State. It is the only thing that could give a LEO justification to charge me. I think I will stick with the elbow.

There is no such thing as "brandishing" in Washington state. The applicable section of the RCW is below:
[h=2]RCW 9.41.270[/h][h=1]Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — Unlawful carrying or handling — Penalty — Exceptions.[/h]
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person shall lose his or her concealed pistol license, if any. The court shall send notice of the revocation to the department of licensing, and the city, town, or county which issued the license.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:

(a) Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business;

(b) Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;

(c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person;

(d) Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or

(e) Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments.

[1994 sp.s. c 7 § 426; 1969 c 8 § 1.]
[h=2]Notes:[/h] Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540. Effective date -- 1994 sp.s. c 7 §§ 401-410, 413-416, 418-437, and 439-460: See note following RCW 9.41.010.

The key phrase is: "in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons."

While I use my elbow, I would argue that merely touching a holstered weapon with your hand to secure or re-position it, absent any other factors, is not enough to meet the three-part requirement for an unlawful carrying or handling charge:
1. In a manner
2. Under circumstances
3. At a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate or warrants alarm for the safety of others

All elements must be present.

ETA: see also State v. Casad
 
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raven81686

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
20
Location
Virginia
I do the pat every time I walk out of my front door; it goes gun, knife, flashlight, keys, wallet, and cell phone. It's my way of doing my EDC checklist.
 

Xulld

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
159
Location
Florida
Before I moved back to Florida I used my elbow . .. now with that giant bulge in the my waistband I never have that problem . . . its there, my back hurts, yep its still there.
 
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