Bathroom Question

[Dimis]

Today I got an odd question from a friend
He noticed when I use public restrooms I always go in a stall instead of to the urinal and asked me why

I told him I always go into a stall because when Im carrying concealed its easier to:
1: stay concealed from random passers by and
2: stay in control of my firearm while in the restroom

does anyone else do this? or am I overthinking?

 

[esheato]

Did he know you carried before this conversation? If he did, then you answered correctly.

If he didn't, why did you even bother telling him?

I would have said I'm shy or that I had a dude try to look at it once and now I always use the stall.

Use your imagination and make something up so he'll bugger off.

 

[Birdmang]

I use the stalls because you have a closed door and don't have to worry, as much, about someone trying to rob you or something like that.

 

[Dimis]

no he knew I carried but he is new to the firearms world so it didnt "click" right away for him
once I answered he understood instantly but at the same time I began thinking maybe Im the only one that does this
Ive never been told in any class to do this it just became common routine and made sense to me to go in a stall to protect my firearm from random people while im at my most vulnerable (besides sleep)

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

It's a solid reason for sure. I had a friend get beat up pretty bad while he was using the urinal once in a bar. He had unbuttoned the top of his pants so when the guy hit him, his pants went to his ankles when he let go. He couldn't really maneuver or get any kind of strong stance to take a hit like that.

Believe it or not though, he still doesn't use stalls. He told me he just never unbuttons his pants anymore, just unzips. Then you could still move even though certain objects might be flopping around while you run.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I not only always use a stall, I usually use the disabled person stall...unless there is a disabled person waiting for it...more room to move is always better than less room. My first choice are the unisex/family restrooms

Using the urinal is tactically unsound in general

 

[RevDerb]

Tell him that you have a "shy bladder" and no longer how bad you have to pee, if there others present you can't go. No reason that your carry should even enter into the conversation.

 

[ultradoc]

I do the same thing [usually]. If no stall is available I try to pick a urinel at the end.

 

[archigos]

I not only always use a stall, I usually use the disabled person stall...unless there is a disabled person waiting for it...more room to move is always better than less room. My first choice are the unisex/family restrooms

Using the urinal is tactically unsound in general

+1. It doesn't matter whether I'm carrying or not; a stall gives you much more notice and maneuverability should you need it. Can't say I bother going for the family restrooms, but the logic works for that too.

 

[mcdonl]

You people do realize that sometimes handicap people don't just hang around in the bathroom waiting to go. Sometimes nature calls and it is an emergent situation.

Does the same logic apply to the parking lot? Hmmm... no handicap plates around, I am just going to park here while I run in and pick up a few things.

 

[ForumSurfer]

He told me he just never unbuttons his pants anymore, just unzips.

Same here. Takes too much effort to get everything back in order otherwise. I was in a bar's restroom once when a fight broke out. I wasn't involved, but I had to try hard to avoid my pants falling around my ankles. I can understand why your friend never wants to get caught like that again.

My first choice are the unisex/family restrooms

They are usually cleaner and one seaters...always a bonus!

 

[towboat_er]

Does the same logic apply to the parking lot? Hmmm... no handicap plates around, I am just going to park here while I run in and pick up a few things

I can understand reserved parking. But as far as bathroom stalls go, I dont consider them to be reserved for only handicapped. I guess I should not walk up the wheelchair ramp either.

 

[mcdonl]

Whatever. To each his own. I prefer the stairs.

As far as urinating, I just use the urinals. I carry, but I do not let it control every aspect of my life.

 

[cambeul41]

How about answering, "For the same reason that I prefer to sit with my back to the wall."

 

[earlthegoat2]

There are limits to preparedness unfortunately and this is where I usually draw my practical limitations.

I do use the urinal quite regularly. I do use the one next to the wall though and if you can believe it I have my hand on my gun in my pocket while doing so.

At least I dont think it looks awkward.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Sounds like most of you are over thinking this way too much. If you have to use a stall to piss so your gun doesn't show, you need to rethink your carry position more then where you piss.

 

[answerguy]

I agree with Bushmaster, overthinking. But the answer an anti-gunner expects to hear is " I use the stall because I don't want anyone to see the small (blank) I have" because anti-gunners 'know' gun owners are just trying to compensate.

 

[2WheelsGood]

If you do use the stall, be careful of THIS

 

[answerguy]

From the article posted by 2WheelsGood:

The man was hit by some porcelain shards, lacerating his arm.

I suppose he could say he was lucky it was his arm.

 

[FAS1]

Not an issue with pocket carry that so many people do, but when IWB carrying I prefer the stall. If I end up using the urinal I just unzip.

 

[2WheelsGood]

From the article posted by 2WheelsGood:

I suppose he could say he was lucky it was his arm.

For sure! And I'd love to know what kind of gun it was.

 

[Kleanbore]

I cannot imagine asking someone about why he uses a stall.

 

[dcdub]

"She was shaken, she was upset and was complaining of some chest pain," Child said.
Perhaps the chest pain could be due to the fact that you WORK AT A CARL'S JR! I wonder why his gun went off? Is this an issue with Kahrs?
Also, I can't do the unzip thing. I don't know if I wear my pants too low or what the deal is, I've just always been an unbuttoner. That said, I often worry about getting jumped while draining the main vein at a urinal. That's a very vulnerable situation to be in. So to answer your question, no, I don't think you're crazy for using the stall.

 

[Rail Driver]

I'd have to agree with the OP, you're not overthinking it at all. Most people tend to pay attention to one thing, and one thing only when they're standing at a urinal or toilet... Situational awareness goes out the window. Using a stall is safer than using a urinal for the simple fact that a mugger/assailant has to go through the stall door first to get to you, instead of just coming up behind you and jacking you like what happened to Rusty's friend. Using the stall instead of the urinal is FAR from overthinking it, it's being safe and acting to prevent the lapse in situational awareness from being capitalized on by a BG.

@mcdonl: If you don't allow carrying a deadly weapon to affect every part of your life while you're carrying said weapon, then I would advise you to take another concealed carry course, or some personal defense courses... A public restroom is no different than a public street or store or anywhere else that you may be carrying. Do you imply that one is immune from attack while in the restroom, or that there's no use defending against an attack in there? From there we move on to why bother carrying if you're not going to maintain an awareness of your situation and circumstances in order to know whether or not the firearm is required?

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not 100% aware, 100% of the time but when I'm carrying a firearm, I do everything I can to keep from having to use it, and that includes pissing in stalls and paying attention to what's going on around me, even in the restroom.

 

[mcdonl]

@rail driver: I simply state that I do not fear the urinal. Too many people let the CCW and fear of others rule their life. To the point where it changes their potty habits. I think this is a silly conversation and no longer wish to participate.