Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Been approved for Concealed Carry - lots of conflicting feelings

I don't think so I think its church by church. that church has to say you can't carry. most people assume no church carry around here because the LDS church has asked no gun carry. we are conservative in utah about gun carry but not so much about other political issues.

OK, that makes more sense. I wonder if a church (LDS or otherwise) would actually prosecute one of its members for violating an anti-gun policy?

The LDS church has put ALL church property off limits; churches, tourist attractions, colleges, businesses, offices, etc.

Utah law does allow any private entity the right to say yes or no to firearms. For the most part, what they don't know won't hurt them. If they find out and ask you to leave, you must. If not, it's a "trespassing" violation and has nothing to do with a firearms violation.

Utah is "extremely" gun friendly. Once I found out that Utah has very limited laws which cover Open Carry, I've carried open practically every day. Most people don't even see it. The few that do, don't seem to mind. I've only gotten one ugly look in 2-1/2 yrs. Not a single negative comment. The LEO's, finally, understand our rights and leave us alone. I've had numerous F2F meetings with LEO's who, for the most part, are comfortable with it. I've been in numerous state, county and city offices, on business; no problems. On election day, I've voted in my son's elementary school, 2 years in a row, Open Carrying. Not a peep.

Gotta love Utah!

Alan

Thanks for the clarification. I'd guessed it was a "trespassing" issue more than some sort specific weapons law.

I visited the race track outside Odgen several years ago, and it had a huge sign by the entrance stating NO WEAPONS of any kind. I didn't see it until almost to the gate. I just repositioned my folder so the clip didn't show, asked a distracting question to the security guy, then made sure not to slouch while sitting in the bleachers. I figured I'd only get the boot if I got caught, and I wasn't going to leave my pistol in the car to get stolen.

Again, thanks for the comments guys.
So far, my "rules" are going to be if I feel any need to carry, it goes with me - period. Other people aren't responsible for my safety. I am. There doesn't have to be any indication of any threat either. A vague itch between the shoulder blades will do.
No mouse guns. I'm just not comfortable with them. I learned long ago how to conceal a large auto even in hot weather
No leaving the gun in the car or truck. I have a good friend that lost not one, but two guns that way.
I'm not going to ask opinions or permission from anyone except my significant other. She's pretty much on board with whatever I choose to do. Even if she doesn't agree.
So, we'll see. Nice to have some experienced friendlies to consult with. Here in Kalifornia, they are few and far between. In this county, the local LEO's and their command staff are OK or in favor of it. But in some places, San Francisco in particular, they are the other way. E

Because you live in a place where it is uncommon for people to carry concealed, you actually have an advantage so long as your significant other and/or other confidants can keep quiet about it. Where carrying is not the norm, assuming you don't look like a gangsta rapper, I doubt many people will have a clue as long as you don�t talk about guns all the time. However, I have found that, if word slips out, people who don�t carry are very indiscreet and will ask if you are carrying, which is a very bad situation especially in public places.

We also have an advantage today that people carry more stuff on their belts than back in the day. Smart phones are pretty big these days. Then there are Bluetooth gadgets, IPods, etc. A purely incidental bump probably won�t raise too much alarm, as long as you are nonchalant. I don�t have much to offer about hugging, other than to say I really don�t do it much, and the �strong arm down� method mentioned by others sounds good.

The most important thing is to not act paranoid about being �made� just because you are carrying a gun. Just act normal, and, if someone thinks they made you, just act puzzled like they are crazy and offer some stupid pre-planned explanation.

By the way, I don't know what you consider to be a mouse gun, but you will not be made carrying a S&W 642 in your front pocket unless someone is attempting to get very friendly with you.

I think he is referring to things like the Ruger LPC 380

Few people I know on a face to face basis know I carry. I live in an artsy lefty county where I have often seen "Peace At Any Cost" signs. I carry a full sized 1911 from the time I put my pants on in the morning until I take them off at night.

Hugging can be an issue but the only men I hug would also be carrying and the woman can be given a left handed sisterly type hug without offending of being made.

A quality holster makes all the difference in real concealed carry. I can walk through town in a light weight shirt tucked into my jeans without being made.

Just a few of my thoughts on this.

E, do you realize the PC-influenced thinking you have? And by no means am I being critical or trying to rain on your picnic. It's just indicative of how the culture's mental environment inevitably influences our way of thinking to some degree or another too.

As a Christian I struggled for awhile with the whole concept of CC period, the bottom line of which is to apply deadly force to another human being. I slowly came to the point of view that it actually is a greater expression of love (to family or innocent others) to prevent their harm or death by a would-be murderer should I be in a position to prevent it or some part of it. The carrying of a weapon is therefore an extension of that love for without it I would be unable to protect my family or be the Good Samaritan for someone else. Therefore, unseen and untold, it goes where legal, where I do.

Alot of good comments here. IMO, most newer concealed carriers are a little nervous at first thinking they will be made. Fact is, if you are smart about the way you dress nobody knows its there but you.

E, a kel-tec PF 9 isn't a mouse gun and doesn't shoot like one, but it does only weigh like 13 oz, its 9mm, which most feel isn't too bad of a defensive round. The idea of only carrying when you feel the need to is flawed IMO, just because I happen to have a mouse gun on me right now, doesn't mean I can't carry a larger gun somewhere else such as a coat or something. but like it or not carrying a full size gun around isn't going to be like carrying and forgetting its there. your lifestyle will have to be altered to do it. most people recommend IWB for concealed carry of a full size gun, to me thats going to be very uncomfortable and too much of a cramp to my style. it doesn't help me being a tad overweight. the smaller lighter guns of the last few years has really taken CC to a new level that wasn't possible a few years ago.

for fellow utahn's if a place of business is open to the public they can't tell you not to bring a gun, trolly square right before the shooting there had a sign saying no weapons on the door. this is not within their right to say that or kick someone out for having a gun. you will also see similar signage if you go into a larry miller theatre, from what I understand the reason this is put up in places of business is not so much to keep people from carrying their gun, BUT to limit or take away liability for the business in case an issue does happen their involving a weapon, if someone gets hurt or killed I think it helps protect the business from being liable somehow.

That is exactly why I decided to carry every dressed minute. You soon get over that fear of being made all the time and start acting normal. No when I have to go without a gun on my person, like I go to Oregon and they do not recognize my Washing permit I feel like something is wrong. Like maybe I forgot my pants.

Earlier this year my wife and I had an unplanned stop that required an overnight stay in a hotel. I had my scoped 700 Ti in the truck and no gun case to put it in. That rifle is my favorite, and I did not want to leave it in the truck overnight. I slung it African style on my right side. I made sure my wife was to my right and slightly behind me, and I used the walls and hotel support posts to my advantage and stood on the correct side of the elevator. While it was totally legal because I was in Wyoming, I could have expected travelers to be from out of state, and being made may have resulted in a call to police. We went in and out, and I am quite confident that no one had a clue.

A subcompact 9mm or 38 Special snub isn't a "mousegun", IMHO. I've got one or the other in my front pocket at all times.

I'm not an attorney but I've been told by some good ones that if you carry your concealed handgun into a business that has posted a prohibition, you can be asked to leave, but that's all it amounts to. Not like carrying your gun in a Federal building or a post office.

Again guys, I do appreciate the feedback.
As to "mouse guns," I've got alot of time in with the small frame Smiths. I own two now and both of which will be on my permit. But, while I do have the option, I probably won't carry either. That's from previous experience with similar guns in street confrontations. The exception might be the 3 inch, M60 Smith.
That's because I can't shoot one nearly as well as I can one of my large autos. The large autos are just as easy to hide and stay put better when moving fast or fighting.
Anyway, that's just me. Maybe one day I'll try out a 3 inch 9mm. Might find it useful. E

Exactly!
My son and I had tickets to a basketball game at the Target Center which was quite a walk from where I had the truck parked.
As we got closer to the entrance I noticed that the security was sweeping people with a metal detector. I thought about walking back to the truck to stash it but decided against it since the game was almost ready to start. I got through the sweep just fine with a 642. It makes you wonder how effective that policy is?
whelennut

I carried my rifle into my denist's office last month because he wanted to see it. Nobody said anything. I've carried them into hotels a bunch. It's good to live in Wyoming.

Eremicus,

I got my California CCW back in 1981. I hd to take a semester long '842' aka arrest, search, siezure and deadly force class. Even at that, I don't think I would have had a snowballs chance excepting that my dad was, at the time, a city councilaman with an 'in' at the PD and the local chief. I was only 21 at the time.

I remember well the odd feelings of carrying in California after having been few the liberal drivel of the California press and other sheeple. I can certainly understand and well remember your feelings. I had to decide, for my self, that I knew my intent and abilities and that these non gun people would be thrilled to thier very sould If I was ever on hand when thier life was in grave danger, or the life of one of their close loved ones. So, I carried every day but learned to carry discreetly. In short order, I was very comfortable with daily carry and now, 30 years later I am noticeably UNcomfortable if not carrying a shooting iron of some kind.

Only had to draw and fire one time. A drug dealers trained attack dog which was a 1/2 Pit Bull and 1/2 Charpei. Set the dog against my son and me for no good reason - maybe high at the moment and thought it funny - until I hammered said dog with my Colt Python loaded with 125gr HP's right in the chest as he attacked.

I now carry all of the time, and I don't worry if someone accidentally spots my gun as I am a clean cut sharp loking 51 year old man and look like I should be carrying. I would feel just awful if I had an opportunity to save an innocent life and had decided not to carry a gun that I have the right to carry, and am trained to carry and shoot well. In fact, I see it more as a responsability to carry these days. If enough good guys carry all the time, the bad guys will win less often.

Braggart!!!