Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The Bathroom Conundrum...

Every so often, the question of what to do with one's carry piece when using a public toilet comes up. Usually it's after someone either has a negligent discharge because they dropped a gun in the bathroom or a police officer leaves their weapon on the back of the toilet; in any case, it's usually a topic of some discussion.

I've got a very simple and easy solution for what to do. It's blindingly simple; it's ingenious, and it does not entail either moving, handling, or otherwise touching one's carry gun. It's the method I've chosen for keeping prying eyes off my carry gun when I'm forced to use a public restroom, and it's worked for me for many years.

First off, choose your stall wisely. If possible, choose one with solid walls on both sides - this cuts down on the possible angles from which your gun can be seen. If that's not possible, find a stall with a solid wall on the side you carry - i.e. if your carry gun is on your right side, try to find a stall up against a back wall such that your right side is facing the wall.

As you sit down, fold the top edge of your underpants over the butt of your carry piece.

It's such a simple thing to do, and it works. From casual observation it is impossible to tell that there's a firearm in the stall. If someone were to look long enough they'd most likely catch the outline of the gun, but also not know enough to make trouble for you. Anyone spending that much time looking under bathroom stalls is going to become a self-correcting problem - they're either going to get physically threatened, arrested, or quite possibly both.

Solving the (gunnie) world's problems, one pair of skivvies at a time.

That is all.

15 comments:

Mike W. said...

An even simpler solution for us men. Do not do #2 in public restrooms.

Anonymous said...

Wear "Depends"...

libertyman said...

Wouldn't the pattern of little bunny rabbits and teddy bears on your boxers break up the outline anyway?

David said...

Or just jam the thing under the wall of the stall next to you and shout, "GIMMIE SOME F*@#ING TOILET PAPER!"

Guaranteed ... nobody will ask questions, because you will be alone in no time.

Paul, Dammit! said...

The real question is whether or not to use one of those disposable cowboy hat/butt gasket things. I vote yes, but it's still nasty.

Robert McDonald said...

I've never needed to unholster my carry piece when in the public can. It's too easy to leave it holstered. A method I've found to work is to buckle my belt right below my knees. It's not as if I'm going to be able go anywhere quick anyway.

Weer'd Beard said...

Another great reason why I love shoulder carry.

Also I do sympathise only slightly with Larry Craig. My pants never go below my knees when I'm doing #2. Hopefully your holster will work well in this orientation, otherwise maybe you need a better holster.

WV: "mobut" AKA what the people in the restroom won't see of me!

PT said...

I've been doing that ever since I've started to carry.

Anonymous said...

But what if I'm wearing a G-string? Or going commando?

Sevesteen said...

If you look at sight lines and figure the angles, even if your gun winds up slightly below the wall of the stall it isn't going to be visible to anyone not on their hands and knees.

Skip said...

Like Beard said.
David wins the intertubes, I'm still fookin laughin.

A Horse Thief said...

This is exactly the method I employ. The government ought to look into training their agents in this method. Fewer guns would be left in the airport stalls.

Anonymous said...

What are these "underpants" of which you speak?

Smince said...

Personal Defense TV had a segment on this recently, with Massad Ayoob showing what he does. Just spread your feet wider apart to keep your pants from falling all the way to the floor and your beltline around your knees. The weapon is also openly available to you, yet can't be seen under the stall walls.

Will said...

In some cases, it works better to pull the leg opening up over the gun. Usually holds a bit tighter. Hooking the belt together works, as long as you maintain pressure outwards. One of the potential problems is little kids who peek under doors and walls. If they see it, they may announce it to the world. Shoulder rigs work best for toilet use. Just don't lean back and smack the tank with it!