Bathroom Question

[Rail Driver]

@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.

It's not about a fear of the urinal or a fear of others... It's about being prepared on the off chance some idiot decides to barge into the bathroom and do what muggers and other criminals do. Unless you've got a magical radar system that warns you of the approach of a criminal, dropping your guard (ESPECIALLY in a public restroom) is not a good idea. Also, using the stalls prevents being bumped from behind in a crowded public restroom causing you or someone else to piss on your leg or shoes (or someone elses). The invention of the urinal is one of those things that illustrates just how lazy and convenience driven society has become. Any time you're in a small room open to the public, facing the wall and focused on Jr., you're not going to be as aware of the guy that just followed you into the bathroom to beat or kill and rob you, and you'll have much less ability and opportunity to defend yourself.

Carrying a firearm isn't a habit or an activity, it's a way of life plain and simple. Carrying a firearm REQUIRES that one make certain changes in how they behave and how they live their life. People that carry a gun and believe that just having it is enough are more dangerous than the criminals that we carry to defend against. Training and awareness are not just important, they're required.

And for the record, I don't carry because I'm afraid of others... I carry because I have concern for others (specifically my family, though I wouldn't hesitate to defend a stranger in mortal danger). It's not Mr. CCW across the store's job to defend me, or the cop that is a 911 call and 20 minutes away, it's my job. In order to do that effectively I have to be aware of my surroundings at all times. Using the stall instead of the urinal lets me monitor my surroundings much more effectively than I can standing at a urinal staring at a wall.

 

[2WheelsGood]

Too many people let the CCW and fear of others rule their life.

You do realize that outside of places like this forum, many people think the idea of carrying a gun at all as paranoia. It's all a matter of degrees. I stopped a cop walking down the hall the other day to have a chat. We only talked for a few seconds before he rotated around me to position himself so that his back was to the wall so that he could see everything as it happened around him. It's not paranoia... it's situational awareness.

 

[archigos]

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.

Handicapped stalls are not reserved. In some cases, only "handicapped stalls" are available or even present. I've been using them for years and not once have I ever encountered a handicapped person waiting for one on the way out.

 

[ForumSurfer]

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.

It is just a mindset thing. People just react differently to different situations. I'm not above using a urinal, yet if I sit at a restaurant and my back is facing better than 75% of the room I get nervous and antsy. But then I can go to the movies (where I am forced to go unarmed due to NC law), I have no trouble sitting in the middle of the theater with my back to 100 people. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Dimis]

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

I tend to use the larger stalls when available as well and I too have never had a handicapped person outside waiting on its use

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

but this isnt just a random person this was a close friend that noticed my habit so there are no taboo conversations (if you cant discuss carry with your friends you need new friends not tighter security habits)

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

EXACTLY... this is yet another habit I have
again not from paranoia or fear its just something I have always done

It's not about a fear of the urinal or a fear of others... It's about being prepared on the off chance some idiot decides to barge into the bathroom and do what muggers and other criminals do

+1

You do realize that outside of places like this forum, many people think the idea of carrying a gun at all as paranoia. It's all a matter of degrees. I stopped a cop walking down the hall the other day to have a chat. We only talked for a few seconds before he rotated around me to position himself so that his back was to the wall so that he could see everything as it happened around him. It's not paranoia... it's situational awareness.

+1 Again

Most of my habits are not formed from being afraid or scared of what may happen
they are simply preperation and readiness

the boyscouts motto was always prepaired
ive heard many times that an ounce of prevention is more precious than a pound of the cure and hope for the best but prepair for the worst

and my personal favorite the five "P's"
Propper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

so in the end I try to do everything on my part to be ready without being un-natural
I guess how natural things are to you varies person to person

 

[earlthegoat2]

Most of you realize a stall door can be kicked in easily and that the door will most likely hit you full on in your back and side area. If you are all cozy in your stall and have let your guard down because of a few thin walls then you might be in a world of hurt as you now have ZERO room to maneuver.

I dont see this situation as being any different then getting jumped at a urinal.

 

[Risky]

Using the urinal is tactically unsound in general

That statement by itself is golden

 

[PowderMonkey]

That statement by itself is golden

This whole thread is 'golden' lol

 

[dcdub]

Most of you realize a stall door can be kicked in easily and that the door will most likely hit you full on in your back and side area. If you are all cozy in your stall and have let your guard down because of a few thin walls then you might be in a world of hurt as you now have ZERO room to maneuver.

I dont see this situation as being any different then getting jumped at a urinal.

Hence the preference to use handicap stalls if at all possible, without being an inconvenience to our handicap friends of course.

 

[TexasRifleman]

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

Me either, but friends ask all kinds of funny things all the time. What I can't understand is if a friend asked the question why someone would feel the need to make up a story rather than admit they carry a gun.

If you call them "friend" and are afraid to tell them you carry a gun maybe they are not your friend?

 

[earlthegoat2]

Hence the preference to use handicap stalls if at all possible, without being an inconvenience to our handicap friends of course.

Understood

 

[Geckgo]

After hanging around with the "city-kids" in St. Louis, and possible a million other reasons that fall into psychological stuff, I have just always had my awareness on. I can't turn it off. I have noticed that while the sounds are the same at the urinal or in the stall, I have more awareness at the urinal because I know where the other people in the room are, footsteps, shadows, etc. In a stall the best you got is someone behind the door or someone in the next stall, all the other sounds get mushed together coming from "somewhere out there." Just my two bits on SA in the bath.

As far as carying on a belt, hehehe, yep, leave it buttoned and the belt cynched

 

[NoAlibi]

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."

Yup. I am not ambidextrous and I wear my handgun on my strong side. Standing at a urinal leaves you with the wrong weapon in hand. ...and I have no intention practicing an off-hand hold.

"This is my pistol and this is my gun. One is for shooting; the other is for fun."

 

[Zombie_Flesh]

He noticed when I use public restrooms I always go in a stall instead of to the urinal and asked me why

I was once asked this - my answer was along the lines of... "I wouldn't want you to feel less like a man."

 

[leadcounsel]

I prefer stalls for security, safety, privacy, and standoff with strangers when I have my, er, hands full.

If you think about it, a man is VERY vulnerable to attack while standing at the urinal doing his business.

An attacker has a free shot at his back, the back of his head, legs (for take down), etc. A clubing would be easy. A strongarm pickpocket, headlock, you name it. And it would be hard to fight back in your "compromised" exposed state.

Most of you realize a stall door can be kicked in easily and that the door will most likely hit you full on in your back and side area. If you are all cozy in your stall and have let your guard down because of a few thin walls then you might be in a world of hurt as you now have ZERO room to maneuver.

I fully disagree with this quoted statement. First, the attacker cannot easily hit your vitals with a weapon. Being hit by a kicked in door across your entire backside is a whole lot less lethal than being clubbed or stabbed in the head or back. Secondly, the door will continue to shield you and while you have limited space to maneuver, so does the attacker. And the attacker doesn't have the opportunity to assess his target size and timing as he would with a clear view. Also, at an open urinal you could be jumped by several folks to tackle you, grab limbs, etc. The stall door, however, creates a funnel where only one person can get to you at a time. And, also, even if someone were to shoot through the door, you are at least concealed which gives you even marginal better odds of survivability. And you cannot get stabbed or clubbed through the door.

So, whether you carry or not, be wise and use the stall and lock the door.

 

[dirtykid]

If the urinal's dont have privacy-panels installed in between them so that i may "crowd" 1-side in an effort to pin my holster to my side, I will pick the stall,and even then before i un-zip i remove weapon from holster and place on top of paper holder or on the floor so as to avoid any "falling guns",,, but yea,, somebody actually asked you why you use the stall versus urinal ?/ that's kinda wierd..

 

[MisterMike]

Using the urinal is tactically unsound in general

I have to agree that this is one of the greatest quotes ever on the WWW.

 

[Mr.Davis]

I one read that Ayoob says "Armed men don't use urinals.". I can't understand why, however. My belt and top button remain buttoned, so the holster isn't supported. My cover garment is still in place. The only problem is being approached from behind, but I don't see that being a greater danger for me just because I'm wearing a gun.

That said, if someone asks you why you use the stall instead of the urinal, just tell them you're trying to avoid "splashback"

 

[Mr.Davis]

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

Article said 40-cal Kahr.

 

[2WheelsGood]

Article said 40-cal Kahr.

Not sure how I missed that... especially since I'm the one who posted the article. :banghead:

 

[Mr.Davis]

If the urinal's dont have privacy-panels installed in between them so that i may "crowd" 1-side in an effort to pin my holster to my side, I will pick the stall,and even then before i un-zip i remove weapon from holster and place on top of paper holder or on the floor so as to avoid any "falling guns",,, but yea,, somebody actually asked you why you use the stall versus urinal ?/ that's kinda wierd..

1) When carrying, you should NEVER remove your gun from the holster unless you need it.
2) Why do you think a toilet paper dispenser is a safe place to lay it?
3) You put it on the FLOOR sometimes?!

 

[9mmepiphany]

The only problem is being approached from behind, but I don't see that being a greater danger for me just because I'm wearing a gun.

It isn't, but it isn't a lessor danger either...hence: Using the urinal is tactically unsound in general

 

[seal]

I like to play games on my phone or post on thr so I pick a stall =)

 

[leadcounsel]

The only problem is being approached from behind, but I don't see that being a greater danger for me just because I'm wearing a gun.

It would take only a moment for someone or a couple men to put you in a headlock or full/half nelson and either disarm or rob you, slam your head against the wall, sweep your feet out from under you and be on top of you, etc... a free shot to the back could be the end of the fight, especially if you get disarmed in the process...

 

[Cosmoline]

Does the same logic apply to the parking lot?

No, because the laws are different. I'm not aware of anyone getting towed from a handicapped bathroom stall.