How do you hug while carrying a concealed handgun

[kayak-man]

Averageman,

Sounds like she's a keeper

 

[Esoxchaser]

If you know me well enough to hug, you already know I am packing. Have been for over 30 years.......

 

[gamestalker]

In my family I would be the odd ball if I didn't have one or two on me, so I can't really help much. On Thanksgiving day, my wife and I showed up at one of our Son's houses to make an appearance. He had family from his wife's side there, one of which was a DEA agent. So when all the women were cooking and doing what they do, they all started comparing there carry guns. Oh, look at this new XDM I just got, that's really nice. Oh, look at my new purse gun, it's pink too, and so on. And even though the DEA family member is conservative, the look on his face was priceless. He just smiled and said, I guess the bad guy would be making a huge mistake if he picked this house, and then he lifted his shirt to show his side arm. I think we counted 11 or 12 side arms between all of us, and everyone wasn't there yet.

However, in my church, I usually carry mine in the inside coat pocket. I haven't ever had anyone tell me they knew I was packing, and they do the hug thing too, so... But then again, I'm in a very conservative church, so packing isn't really at all unusual, discouraged, nor frowned upon.

GS

 

[gym]

Too much hugging going on here.

 

[toivo]

I carry a Kel-Tec P32 in my right front pants pocket for such occasions. If somebody's hugging me in such a way that they can "make" that, they already know me well enough to know that I carry.

Ankle holster is a good way to go.

Just remember not to sit down and cross your holster leg over your other knee. It will show every time.

 

[XD Fan]

Maybe this should be required content for CWP classes....

Right after the what-to-do-in-public-restroom portion of the course.

 

[Hometeached1]

XD Fan

Right after the what-to-do-in-public-restroom portion of the course.

That's a good one.

 

[Potatohead]

Hugging is for girls

 

[mokin]

Hugging is for girls

And if she asks about it, you have a built in conversation starter.

 

[pippin53]

Bear hug, lift, shake. I want to see at least 30 degrees of movement either side from the feet.

 

[hammerklavier]

If possible get your arms under theirs, that will keep their hands away. When hugging a short person, lean in, keeping your waist out of reach. Pocket carry in pants or jacket probably won't raise suspicion in the first place.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Hometeached,

How I hug all depends on how well built she is.

You see for all I care they can ask me the old Mae West question..."Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Deaf

 

[Sol]

"I do not hug."
Now, that's a good one. I avoid at all costs (and I don't carry). You're either getting a hand shake or a "Christian side-hug" at the most. Just not a hugger and neither is most of my family but everyone has that huggy type aunt or what have you somewhere.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Guys have a harder time with this, because it is usually viewed as being feminine... this is the way most women naturally hug...but then as a CCW, you should be less aggressive anyway

Another variation is one arm down (gun side) and one arm up in a big hug. It is a little easier to pull off if there is a big height difference also.

 

[herrwalther]

I don't hug. Problem solved.

 

[Pyzon]

Love the opinions that admit better endowed ladies are given allowances.

No doubt, particular situations makes carrying difficult, like the recent threads of public shower and beach/pool carry.

I hope being surrounded by folks that are comfortable with hugging me will make carrying a low priority. Maybe I can stay close enough to my locked vehicle and pistol to get in the fight in time if necessary.

But then again, certain relatives at family get-togethers have make me wish I was armed, more than once.

 

[herrwalther]

Was hugged twice by my mother in law and aunt in law over the holiday. Both knew I carry just neither knew when or where etc. MIL said "nice bulge" which made me blush and the other said "your wallet is sliding out" with high emphasis on wallet. I think from now on I will just do a half hug on my non armed side.

 

[Carter]

I hug normally and carry appendix style. Most of my friends and family know that I carry, especially the ones I would hug. If they didn't know and find out it doesnt bother me. They either accept it or I get to work on my debating skills. One trick though if carrying in front is to lean forward a little so that the area where the gun is never touches.

 

[Crashbox]

This thread is good food for thought.

The one time I was hugged while carrying, the gal hugged me high enough to somehow avoid wrapping her arms around my side arm. Since then I've been trying to figure out how to carry and minimize the possibility of being 'made' when physical contact such as hugging may be unavoidable.

 

[AKElroy]

I just assume nearly everyone that would hug me knows I carry. In my neck of the woods it is an accepted, common place thing. While I doubt any would be offended, I still make an effort to avoid any controversy.

We have a lot of huggers, and as others stated, I generally see the hug coming and make it a "bro" hug, or keep my arms inside the opposing hugger's arms.

As a deacon in my church, we have a "deacon of the month". This just means we are the primary for all public assignments, taking attendance, and watching the lobby. This means one or two months out of the year I will be in the back, keeping an eye on the two exterior doors.

I carry a full-sized Sig 226 in a high-noon OWB holster under a jacket. It hasn't been detected yet. If it has, then it was a non-event.

 

[el Godfather]

When you hug why you have to worry about whats on your hip?!

Concern with Shoulder Rig I understand, but hip holster is not in my way of hugging. Unless...

 

[rooter]

With Thanksgiving coming up I'm going to see LOTS of family and my extended family REALLY likes to hug. While some of them like guns or know I own firearms, some would not like the idea that there's a loaded pistol on my hip, or don't see the need to have "that thing" at a family gathering. Now I don't drink and don't think there will be any drinking so that should not be a problem, anyway my question is how do you hug some one with out being "made", I know about tucking my elbows in, but that seems kind of awkward. Should I just pocket carry? I am carrying a glock 30sf OWB or IWB at 3:30 and spare magazines at 8:30. Will have my S&W 642 with a pocket holster as well, just like 30 better should I need to use a handgun to protect someone or myself.

This question is extremely silly! If your family gatherings are dangerous enough to warrant carrying a pistol, spare magazines, and a backup revolver, I suggest not attending. If you want to tote a gun to and fro, fine. Lock it up in the house when you arrive and relax a little. The ninjas will not attack during dinner, I assure you. If this is unacceptable, pack the arsenal and just refuse hugs. When they ask why, let them know you strapped several guns and mags on and don't want to offend them. This scenario, along with the looks your family will give you, should make you realize how silly it really is.

 

[mrdeltoid]

Full hug. Full-body press unless its another man, my mother, or my mother-in-law. Or various other individuals in the family.

There is one handsy person who, if I know I am going to be around them, I will wear an ankle holster.

 

[strambo]

This question is extremely silly! If your family gatherings are dangerous enough to warrant carrying a pistol, spare magazines, and a backup revolver, I suggest not attending. If you want to tote a gun to and fro, fine. Lock it up in the house when you arrive and relax a little. The ninjas will not attack during dinner, I assure you. If this is unacceptable, pack the arsenal and just refuse hugs. When they ask why, let them know you strapped several guns and mags on and don't want to offend them. This scenario, along with the looks your family will give you, should make you realize how silly it really is.

Are the odds of being attacked in transit somehow much, much less if you are travelling to/from a family event? Are the odds of the home you are visiting being the target of a home invasion less on event day?

If they are nervous-nellies about firearms how/why would they have a place for me to lock it up while there? Doesn't handling the firearm to lock it up, then re-holster introduce more chance for an accident?

Why can't I just carry my one firearm like always and just hug properly so they don't know? Why all the straw-man arguments to make carrying at a family event seem silly? Antis think carrying at anytime is silly by the same logic.

I hope when I look back on my life I feel silly for ever carrying...

 

[Milkmaster]

The worst that immediately comes to mind when hugging women is that they quote Mae West.

Exactly my first thought haha

I usually move my 642 to my front pocket instead of my waist during close quarters to make it less noticeable. I am indeed a hugger, but I just try to lean in a bit to prevent the obvious .