I was driving into work this morning when a man riding a motorcycle passed me on the right. The bike was impressive, handlebars way up in the air and lots of nice looking colors and chrome. The rider looked like a 'bad dude' and was clearly trying to convey a 'tough guy' image. He got in front of me and as he did I could see that his T-Shirt was flying all the way up in the back from the wind exposing his torso and a full sized handgun stuffed in his waste band. I am very pro gun and have no problem with people carrying but for some reason I just felt like this guy was putting on a show for no good reason. I worry that this type of 'behavior' really has the potential to turn 'reasonable' people against our right to carry. So, for those of you who ride and carry what are your thoughts on this scenario?
Guns, Motorcycles, & Concealment
- Thread starter CTGunner
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Do you live in an OC state? If not, it would be interesting to see how that situation would be handled by the police. It's under the clothes, but the wind is manipulating the clothing to expose the gun. Personally, I would think that's more of an open carry.
I live in a state that says you can open carry but the police are known to come down on it pretty hard under 'breach of peace' which can result in loss of rights. However, a recent court ruling has made this practice more difficult. I don't like to take chances and make sure I'm totally concealed 100% of the time.
TeamPrecisionIT
Member
I know this is going to sound condescending, but if he would have been wearing the proper protective gear then it wouldn't have been a problem. I cc while riding and my jacket does not blow up with the wind so it isn't a problem. Even a decent vest actually buttoned up front would have prevented this issue.
But just to say it, we carry handguns for protection, but won't wear proper protective gear to protect from the asphalt in the event of a crash, which statistically speaking, will happen more frequently for a motorcyclist. For the record, I am 100% pro-gun and 100% pro-riding.
Damian
But just to say it, we carry handguns for protection, but won't wear proper protective gear to protect from the asphalt in the event of a crash, which statistically speaking, will happen more frequently for a motorcyclist. For the record, I am 100% pro-gun and 100% pro-riding.
Damian
General Geoff
Member
Sometimes you just can't conceal...
TeamPrecisionIT
Member
Touche!
FirearmsEnthusiast
Member
Haha, awesome picture 
throdgrain
Member
Absolutely excellent picture
zootsuit002
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Couple of thoughts:
“The bike was impressive, handlebars way up in the air and lots of nice looking colors and chrome. The rider looked like a 'bad dude' and was clearly trying to convey a 'tough guy' image.”
1. Devil’s advocate…he may have actually been a ‘bad dude’ and a ‘tough guy’ although most of those usually travel undercover.
"But just to say it, we carry handguns for protection, but won't wear proper protective gear to protect from the asphalt in the event of a crash, which statistically speaking, will happen more frequently for a motorcyclist."
2. Who are you and or we to decide why he carries a gun? I carry for many different reasons on many different occasions. But mostly I carry just because I can.
3. That last said, who are we to cast dispersions upon this man for exercising any of his rights? Just because he does not choose to where protective riding gear, that is a choice that he makes. I support him exercising his right to be comfortable, I support him evaluating risk vs reward and making a decision even and especially if others might not agree with his personal choice.
4. I believe strongly in many things, not the least of which is the right to keep and bear arms. I also believe that seatbelts, helmets, and life jackets save lives and that the US Government does not have any legal right to mandate that I where a single one of them.
“The bike was impressive, handlebars way up in the air and lots of nice looking colors and chrome. The rider looked like a 'bad dude' and was clearly trying to convey a 'tough guy' image.”
1. Devil’s advocate…he may have actually been a ‘bad dude’ and a ‘tough guy’ although most of those usually travel undercover.
"But just to say it, we carry handguns for protection, but won't wear proper protective gear to protect from the asphalt in the event of a crash, which statistically speaking, will happen more frequently for a motorcyclist."
2. Who are you and or we to decide why he carries a gun? I carry for many different reasons on many different occasions. But mostly I carry just because I can.
3. That last said, who are we to cast dispersions upon this man for exercising any of his rights? Just because he does not choose to where protective riding gear, that is a choice that he makes. I support him exercising his right to be comfortable, I support him evaluating risk vs reward and making a decision even and especially if others might not agree with his personal choice.
4. I believe strongly in many things, not the least of which is the right to keep and bear arms. I also believe that seatbelts, helmets, and life jackets save lives and that the US Government does not have any legal right to mandate that I where a single one of them.
wyocarp
Member
I think that the practice of law abiding citizens hiding their guns has done more to erode gun rights than the ones that wear them openly.
LiquidTension
Member
I saw the same thing a few years ago except the guy was on a supersport. What's the big deal? If he wants to let everyone know he's carrying, so be it. Whether or not he's allowed to is a matter for the police. I pocket carry when I'm riding so it's never an issue.
zootsuit002
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wyocarp +1
clamman
Member
I keep mine in the windshield bag when riding
rattletrap1970
Member
I wasn't even going to chime in on this but I have to. Open AND Concealed are BOTH legal in CT. Open carry somehow became unfashionable and over time it was taken as gospel that it was not allowed. That is OUR fault. It is a prime example of how you lose rights that aren't exercised.
As for all the biased stuff about the biker. You know any? If you did I doubt you would have made the comments you did. I have high handlebars and also have lots of "color" and some chrome. If someone looks at me and thinks that I'm trying to be "bad" or "trying to be a tough guy" that fallacy is on them. Watch less "Sons of Anarchy" and "Gangworld".
If the cops want to pull me over or arrest me for lawful carry, let them, there are a lot more guns I will buy on the state's dime when they lose the lawsuit.
As for all the biased stuff about the biker. You know any? If you did I doubt you would have made the comments you did. I have high handlebars and also have lots of "color" and some chrome. If someone looks at me and thinks that I'm trying to be "bad" or "trying to be a tough guy" that fallacy is on them. Watch less "Sons of Anarchy" and "Gangworld".
If the cops want to pull me over or arrest me for lawful carry, let them, there are a lot more guns I will buy on the state's dime when they lose the lawsuit.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Guess I just ignore guns. I see a guy on a bike with an exposed handgun I'm probably more interested in what kind of gun he likes than whether he has one or not.
Always bugs me when it's called "putting on a show" or "brandishing" or any other term for a legal activity. Why do we as gun people fall into that way of thinking?
Always bugs me when it's called "putting on a show" or "brandishing" or any other term for a legal activity. Why do we as gun people fall into that way of thinking?
Harley Rider 55
Member
He needs to dress around the handgun. The long gun is OK.
I didn't mean to offend you or anyone else. And I didn't think he was a tough guy because of the bike. If you read my post, I never said that. In fact I complimented the bike. I referred to the rider. It was the combo of his bike, clothing, tats, and a-hole style of weaving in and out of traffic that lead me to my conclusion (right or wrong) that he was trying to be a bad ass.
As for displaying the gun - when 911 gets 20 calls from concerned mothers who are driving their toddlers to day care about a man on a bike with gun, I doubt it helps the cause. The culture in CT is not the same as the culture in other parts of the country, that's unfortunate but it's a reality.
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TeamPrecisionIT
Member
I never said anything about a government mandated anything, like can be seen, I said I am 100% pro-gun and 100% pro-riding. That pic with the AK is great but that is not a showing of trying to conceal in anyway, which is great IMO. We shouldn't have to hide our sidearms or long arms, but if we are trying to conceal then it should be concealed.
Riding a bike involves the assumption of risk, just as carrying/owning a firearm for self-defense purposes. I don't know about anyone else, but one of my main goals in life is to become an old shooter and old rider, it makes for better stories. So I choose to defend myself with the best tools I can in both areas of my passion(s). Wearing protective gear while riding, to me, is not different than carrying a sidearm, whether concealed or open: They are for the .0000000001% chance of the worst happening. As riders and CCWers/OCers, we should always account for the risk involved with life and the obstacles it throws at us.
Damian
fireside44
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Then they ain't "reasonable" people. You can't make everyone content. I think it was his way of flipping the bird at the world and I salute him for it, even though his choice of handlebars is darwin award winning material.
All that aside, more power to him. Free country.
Yeah, but the price of admission is nothing to complain about.
bigfatdave
Member
Actually, when the 911 operator points out to the ninny that they are calling in a legal action, it does help.
rscalzo
Member
That was probably a violation. CT. only allows a 15" rise. Of course most non-bikers see a 10 rise and thing they are 60's era ape hangers.
Stuffed in a waistband is vastly different than secured in a suitable holster. Are you saying it was unsecured? If so, that is exceedingly foolish.
rattletrap1970
Member
Actually you are incorrect.
The law was changed three years ago.
The law now reads you cannot have your hands over the height of your shoulders.
History: P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re handlebars more than 15 inches above uppermost portion of seat with provision re handlebars more than the height of operator's shoulders, effective July 1, 2007.
The law was changed three years ago.
The law now reads you cannot have your hands over the height of your shoulders.
History: P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re handlebars more than 15 inches above uppermost portion of seat with provision re handlebars more than the height of operator's shoulders, effective July 1, 2007.
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