gun in a handbag

[two gun charlie]

"Women have the option of carrying in their purse ...."

I just read this statement on one of the other threads here on THR and it is something that I find peculiar to say the least most criminals when targeting a women usually tend to go for her handbag , they know its where she is probably going to keep her valuables and "hey ...lookey here along with her money I now have her gun too"

I have always strongly advised women not to carry their fire-arm in their purse but rather on their person , a purse is too easy to grab in a moment of confusion , it can be lost or forgotten and it is one of the items that get stolen the most no matter where in the world you live.

In fact I am very much in favor of the laws prohibiting women to carry fire-arms in their handbags , it's just too much like giving guns to criminals in my opinion

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

This is pretty much standard amongst most people with respect to advising women not to carry in a handbag.

However, it's STILL a viable place to carry a handgun, even if it's not the most tactically sound one.

 

[WaywardSon]

I work part time in a gun shop & sell to women daily. For better or worse, most have no interest in carrying concealed on their person. The gun is for the nightstand...maybe the car. Purse carry is an attractive option for most women that actually want to have a gun with them at all times.

They don't care what you or I think about that...and if that is news to you, marriage will bring clarity to your life

 

[herrwalther]

Hate to break it to most of you but women are not built the same as men. I know, I was devastated too. Their clothes are cut differently to accommodate their different shape and thus most holsters will not conceal as well on a male frame. My wife used to carry her Bersa in her purse but knew full well the tactical disadvantages of this option were. It could be stolen or put out of arms reach. Her alternative was to carry a second firearm on her person, her NAA mini. After a few years of carrying this way she found a holster that was comfortable for her to carry all the time, it merely hasn't shipped yet. Sometimes purse carry is the only way women carry. It may not be the best solution but it is a step in the right direction.

 

[lemaymiami]

With a lot years on the street (long retired now) I encountered more than a few women that had either a gun in their purse or one nearby (and this was in an era before armed citizens were common-place down here in Florida, so most weren't carrying legally at all). My favorite incident was not at close quarters at all. Me and another guy were doing a roof top surveillance on an apartment building with a large parking lot where there had been a few vehicle crimes (break-ins, thefts, etc) during evening hours. It was about five stories high so we had a great vantage point to see most of the lot and watched a very pretty lady step out of her car after parking it.. Before she left the car and walked inside, she removed a Dirty Harry sized handgun and carefully put it in her purse (big hog-leg, large purse...). All I could think of was how surprised some mugger might be if he ever encountered her... and of course she was long gone by the time we got down off that roof....

 

[two gun charlie]

why carry a gun if you are a going to keep it in a bag that can easily be removed from your person , the very mugger you want to protect yourself against is actually going to be the guy running away with your means of defense at the end of the day and will probably be using YOUR gun " thanks kind stupid lady" to rob other women.
Odds are that any rapist will also be bargaining that your favorite choice for defense will be in your handbag and will therefore be making sure that he removes the handbag from the equation before ruining the rest of your day or life.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

why carry a gun if you are a going to keep it in a bag that can easily be removed from your person , the very mugger you want to protect yourself against is actually going to be the guy running away with your means of defense at the end of the day and will probably be using YOUR gun " thanks kind stupid lady" to rob other women.
Odds are that any rapist will also be bargaining that your favorite choice for defense will be in your handbag and will therefore be making sure that he removes the handbag from the equation before ruining the rest of your day or life.

You know...people keep saying this, conveniently ignoring the fact that a woman who carries in a purse may very well understand this and be taking appropriate precautions.

Heck, a purse with a gun in it IS a weapon in itself. I know I certainly wouldn't want to be beat violently about the head and shoulders with a two pound hunk of steal inside a leather pouch with a leather strap on it.

For years in the Navy, whenever I went on liberty in a foreign port, I carried a 35mm camera on a strap while I was out and about in town. I KNEW my camera was valuable and could be snatched...and I took appropriate precautions.

Why does a woman choose to carry a gun in a purse? Because she CAN and quite honestly, sometimes that's either the only option or the best option available to them under the circumstances.

There are any number of ways a gun can be lifted from people, man and woman alike. Some methods are more secure than others. Regardless, carrying in a purse is STILL a viable option.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I've actually had to urge my wife to stop carrying in her purse.

When we first met, she didn't carry. In fact, she took a little while to warm up to me carrying all the time. Not that she didn't like guns or appreciate that I was wanting to protect us, she just wasn't used to them.

As our neighborhood deteriorated, I was able to encourage her to carry, mostly for protection to and from the car when I wasn't around, as she worked in a very secure location. Her purse was about the only workable option.

Now that we've moved to a better location, she still carries, which I don't have a problem with. However, we were in the grocery store the other day, and we both stepped away from the cart very briefly. I still had my eyes on it, and I could see there was no one nearby, but her purse was riding in the "seat."

She chastised me (very politely) for leaving her purse unattended because it had her pistol in it. I wasn't even thinking about it, as she often takes it out to leave at home when we're together.

I calmly explained to her later how carrying in her purse is risky at best, and it would be better that she didn't carry it at all than to carry and ever put the purse down. She has also left it (the pistol) in the car on occasion.

I can see a great utility in carrying that way, though. To be able to actually have your hand in a firing position and have the gun at a low ready when you feel threatened is tactically advantageous. You have to train for it and keep that pocket free of other items, though.

And don't let go of it!!

 

[miller.lyte]

I don't even OWN a purse, much less carry in one. I've always carried on my person, even though I'm small (5'3" 105lbs) I've found it quite easy to conceal my Shield with basically anything I wear. With the abundance of small guns on the market I really don't see why more ladies don't just get a well-fitting IWB made for women, a small gun, and be done with it.

It's not nearly as hard to do and impractical as some ladies would have you think.

 

[CA Raider]

"They don't care what you or I think about that...and if that is news to you, marriage will bring clarity to your life"

ditto.
My wife's whole life - can be found in her purse.
Your main argument against the purse-carry should be that women have got SO MUCH stuff in there ...
that in an emergency they will never find the gun. Really.

Just the same, few women would probably like a CCW on their body.

CA R

 

[HiVelocity]

Purse carry?

Two gun charlie -

You're right on. There is no reason for a woman to carry a weapon in her purse.

Understandably, there are soooooo many options available that cater to a womans curves, there is no reason for any female to not carry IWB, or OWB. I know, and have spoken to several women who carry. None of them even consider any other carry option.

Just food for thought.

HV
(ret LE)

 

[CSC_Saint]

Reading through this, I had a few thoughts come to mind, and as I've just finished reading through the news, I might come off a little harsh. I don't intendthis to be harsh, just food for thought.

Since we all hate having others tell us how to do, and what to do, ithe comment about being OK with laws outlawing purse carry would OK with them really irks. What I do with my property is my business, my wife's property her business. While Imay not agree with every cchoice she makes, her property, is her business. Just as much as we hate laws banning open carry, not for the tactical aspect, but because its the law telling us how we can and cannot utilize our personal property.

The comment about it being better to not carry at all than to carry in a purse, is IMHO, just plain condescending. Where did we come up withthe idea that someone doing something we disagree with we just tell people don't do it at all. Having a gun in a purse, while not the most tactically sound carry option, still means that a woman has the tool for self defense within reach. Telling someone not to carry at all if they're going to carry in a purse, is akin to telling someone not to own a gun at all if they're not going to carry in their home.

Purse carry allows for better concealment, it also allows for a woman to have a larger pistol if thats what they're comfortable with. But in the end, it doesn'tcome down to what we believe is right, or what conventional wisdom says, or us being condescending about how to and not to ccarry. We should applaud any woman who takes it upon herself to have the presence of mind to even carry, whether purse or holster.

As a caveat, for as much as I don't like my wife purse carrying, she's a damn fast draw from the purse.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

^^^^

Well put.

 

[9MMare]

If I drop the ball and they get close enough to demand my purse, they can have it. And I am running in the opposite direction as fast as possible.

Expensive lesson.

I like that I can walk thru a parking lot, etc and have my hand on my gun, pretend to be looking for keys, and be very ready to draw.

It's not the perfect carry solution but since I dont really believe in 'quick draw' or drawing against a gun already aimed at me in the great majority of scenarios, it's a reasonable solution.

 

[9MMare]

why carry a gun if you are a going to keep it in a bag that can easily be removed from your person , the very mugger you want to protect yourself against is actually going to be the guy running away with your means of defense at the end of the day and will probably be using YOUR gun " thanks kind stupid lady" to rob other women.
Odds are that any rapist will also be bargaining that your favorite choice for defense will be in your handbag and will therefore be making sure that he removes the handbag from the equation before ruining the rest of your day or life.

Um, apparently not everyone trains for the scenarios they are not likely to run into. And it's by FAR more than just quickly drawing a gun...it's everything that leads up to it.

In a purse by no means means 'inaccessible.'

And I think alot of people think that 'purse carry' means dropping a gun in a bag. That's like assuming hanging a gun on a belt means you are 'prepared' to use it. There is (can be) just as much preparation and training.

 

[two gun charlie]

ok lets keep it simple

CRIMINALS TARGET HANDBAGS , IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP YOUR MEANS OF DEFENSE IN THAT VERY SAME BAG.

you people make me laugh ....and sometimes you make me cry.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

ok lets keep it simple

CRIMINALS TARGET HANDBAGS , IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP YOUR MEANS OF DEFENSE IN THAT VERY SAME BAG.

you people make me laugh ....and sometimes you make me cry.

And pickpockets target pockets. Is it a good idea to keep your means of defense in a pocket? Or a holster at 5 O'Clock?

We can argue the merits of how to carry a weapon all day long. And while each method will have it's strong and weak points, based on the weapon, clothing, and body shape, that STILL doesn't mean any given method is necessarily not a viable option, including purse carry.

Yes, a woman CAN carry guns in other locations. But unlike most men in our culture, some of their dress codes aren't very conducive towards many of the options that men generally retain. Like packing a full sized pistol while wearing a dress, for example.

If a woman wishes to carry her piece in a purse and she retains positive control of that purse at all times, then more power to her.

 

[two gun charlie]

I don't even OWN a purse, much less carry in one. I've always carried on my person, even though I'm small (5'3" 105lbs) I've found it quite easy to conceal my Shield with basically anything I wear. With the abundance of small guns on the market I really don't see why more ladies don't just get a well-fitting IWB made for women, a small gun, and be done with it.

It's not nearly as hard to do and impractical as some ladies would have you think.

I think you are a clever person someone who thinks tactical and one day you will reap the benefit of that I am sure

 

[Hangingrock]

A law enforcement officer of my acquaintance now retired would on occasion have his wife carry his Colt Detective Special in her handbag while they shopped. I often wondered what the explanation would have been if the handbag would have been taken by theft.

 

[miller.lyte]

Yes, a woman CAN carry guns in other locations. But unlike most men in our culture, some of their dress codes aren't very conducive towards many of the options that men generally retain. Like packing a full sized pistol while wearing a dress, for example.

I only half-agree with this. Like we've discussed already, carrying in a purse can be a poor decision, tactically-speaking. Can be. Consider for a moment how many women you see wearing dresses (for which they can implement a bra holster, I forget what it's called) on a daily basis vs. pants/shorts and a shirt. There are far more of the latter nowadays, so the 'necessity' of having to purse-carry or not carry at all is not as common.

I'm in my university library as I type right now and I'm looking around at all the girls around me and those walking by. Most of these girls are wearing jeans and a t-shirt and I could probably put my Shield in a holster and stick it on them and no one would notice they'd have a gun (hypothetically ).

I am all for any responsible citizen carrying a gun whether it's on themselves or in a purse. I'm simply pointing out that purse carry is no longer the most practical or tactically sound way to do so anymore. If some still want to do it, that's peachy too, but it certainly isn't their 'only' option because they're women.

Another thing I'd like to address - some women won't carry because they don't want to have to radically change their wardrobe? Y'all need to introduce them to the plethora of different guns and holsters made for any type of clothing: shorts, skirts, dresses. Carrying a gun is like any other accessory, I suppose. You find what clothing combos work best and stick with it. It takes some figuring out at first, but I'd say it's worth it.

There is no reason women should purse carry simply because they feel they can't reasonably carry anywhere else. They can, I do it every day.

edit. introduce your ladies to Youtuber faliaphotography if you haven't already.

 

[Cosmoline]

There are purses designed for CCW you know. In fact I carry in a Maxpedition man purse. Purse-snatching is a concern, but for many women and some men as well it's just not very feasible to conceal a firearm otherwise. To give an example I change from riding gear to suit to riding gear every day, which means I'd be flipping around a belt carry three times a day even if I had a belt. In the winter I'm wearing fleece pants so I don't freeze to death. You don't wear belts with fleece pants. So I figured out it was just a lot easier to keep the handgun on the outside of my clothing in a purse. Works great and so far nobody has tried to snatch it. If they do, they're going to get a broken leg.

it in a bag that can easily be removed from your person

You use a CCW bag that isn't easy to remove from your person.

Also, it's not exactly difficult to disarm most IWB's. I've seen then flashing many times, and it would be a matter of a grab to get the gun. The key, no matter how you carry, is to do it smartly and to be aware of your situation.

There is no one right way to carry. You have to be realistic about your environment and circumstances. The paradigm of a man in tight jeans with a large cover shirt applies only to a small segment of the population.

 

[moonzapa]

My wife purchased a small handbag which features a zippered pocket in the end. She can easily unzip the pocket and retrieve her Glock 27. I cannot get her to wear pantsuits and if she did she would not tuck in a holster for a pistol. (I'm getting her a Ruger LCR or a comparable Smith & Wesson in .38 special to replace the .40 S&W). We don't have many purse snatchings in our area, Walmart, Jo Ann's, etc., so I think she will be safe.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Frankly I don't care where the women carry their gun, as long as they carry it.

 

[smalls]

I'm torn on the subject. I think it's a terrible place to put a gun, but at least they're carrying. I think if they are going to carry in their purse, they need to learn some retention skills, and to not put their purse down (such as in the shopping cart seat). They need to learn how to draw quickly, too. Otherwise it's just a "magic talisman".

Women can dress around the gun and still look good, too, just like men. There are "flattering" type outfits for women that allow them to conceal a decent sized handgun, too. I remember watching a YouTube video of a pretty small, attractive woman concealing an M&Pc in a bikini with some sort of light button up sweater over top. So I don't really buy the "women can't conceal in their body because of their clothes and shape" deal.

 

[9MMare]

I only half-agree with this. Like we've discussed already, carrying in a purse can be a poor decision, tactically-speaking. Can be. Consider for a moment how many women you see wearing dresses (for which they can implement a bra holster, I forget what it's called) on a daily basis vs. pants/shorts and a shirt. There are far more of the latter nowadays, so the 'necessity' of having to purse-carry or not carry at all is not as common.

I'm in my university library as I type right now and I'm looking around at all the girls around me and those walking by. Most of these girls are wearing jeans and a t-shirt and I could probably put my Shield in a holster and stick it on them and no one would notice they'd have a gun (hypothetically ).

I am all for any responsible citizen carrying a gun whether it's on themselves or in a purse. I'm simply pointing out that purse carry is no longer the most practical or tactically sound way to do so anymore. If some still want to do it, that's peachy too, but it certainly isn't their 'only' option because they're women.

Another thing I'd like to address - some women won't carry because they don't want to have to radically change their wardrobe? Y'all need to introduce them to the plethora of different guns and holsters made for any type of clothing: shorts, skirts, dresses. Carrying a gun is like any other accessory, I suppose. You find what clothing combos work best and stick with it. It takes some figuring out at first, but I'd say it's worth it.

There is no reason women should purse carry simply because they feel they can't reasonably carry anywhere else. They can, I do it every day.

edit. introduce your ladies to Youtuber faliaphotography if you haven't already.

Seems like alot of assumptions. Esp. that some women purse carry "simply because they feel they cant reasonably carry anywhere else."

Certainly not my reason. And I've seen...and like...many many other options for on-body carry. I've seen Falia.