women and concealed handguns

[Trebor]

My wife always carries her purse with the strap running across her body from her left shoulder to her right hip to make it harder to snatch her purse.

The only drawback to this that I can see is that if someone DID decide to grab her purse, it's not going to come off her shoulder as easily and she may get knocked down, dragged, etc. In my mind though, that would be counterbalanced by the fact that a purse snatcher would be more likely to grab a purse from someone who is only carrying it across one shoulder, because it would be easier to get away from them.

She doesn't actually carry a gun in her purse, but are there any thoughts on carrying the purse across the body like this?

 

[Wanahca]

Hi all, I'm new but wanted to offer my 2 cents.

Effective concealed carry has been difficult for me. As Paxton Quigley said in Armed and Female "There is no satisfactory way to carry a handgun concealed. Period. Every holster, every method to conceal a handgun is flawed more ways than it works, and this is especially true for women." Even after only having a little exposure to street defense, I was able to see the real danger in carrying in my purse. For me, personally, I want to be able to let whatever is in my purse go without hesitation. To avoid physical confrontation is always the best option in protecting yourself, and if all they want is your purse, give it to them and run away.

I personally prefer carrying using an inside the waistband holster. I find it affords me the quickest access to my weapon, and it helps me to stay more aware of my surroundings by feeling its presence. I think there is something to be said for enduring a little discomfort for that kind of security. I find that I am more willing to change the way I dress to accommodate my firearm, rather than finding ways for my firearm to accommodate my style of dress. Looking like a million bucks means nothing when you're dead. Besides, there are plenty of ways to dress appropriately no matter where you go, and still effectively conceal your firearm. It requires some experimentation and planning, but it beats the alternative.

Deborah

 

[ARperson]

Leave it to a man to think purse snatching is so easily done.

First of all, having carried a purse for a while now, we women tend to hang on to it in a manner that tells bad guys we're not very good targets. You've got to remember that purse snatchings, as with most other crimes, are crimes of opportunities. No bad guy is going to make the effort if he doesn't think it's going to be successful. I ALWAYS carry my purse in a manner that screams, "Any attempt at taking this purse is going to meet with difficulty." I want them to look for an easier target. And most will. Considering I never go to the grocery store without seeing some woman walk 15 feet away from her purse, there's no shortage of them.

Anyhow, I'll agree that purse snatching is something that needs to be considered when carrying in that manner, but there's a lot than can be done to minimize the chances.

Second, if you've never carried a firearm in a purse before, how can you know how easily one may be able to access the firearm??????? No offense, guys, but advice is best given when backed by experience. I'm always aware of my surroundings and always carry the purse in such a manner that access is as easy as possible. If necessary I'll open the pocket and stick my hand on the firearm and walk to my destination like that. The way my purse is made, I can do this with no one being the wiser. My husband doesn't even know when I'm doing this sometimes.

I do agree that if one does carry in a purse it should be a purse that has a dedicated firearm location. Ideally, one made for CCW simply because this means the purse was made with that purpose. Non-CCW purses often can't stand up to the weight of heavier CCW firearms. And, yes, on-body carry is better because of the potential to lose contact with the purse. But smart decision-making makes purse carry very easy and usable.

FWIW, my purse has a lockable pocket. While I always try to keep the purse away from children, it's not always guaranteed that the nosy nephews won't go where they're not supposed to. I just lock the pocket. And believe me, short of slicing through the leather, there's no way those rugrats are getting to the firearm.

 

[joelr]

I don't know how easy it is -- for obvious reasons, I don't have any experience snatching one -- but I do know that it happens often. A female acquaintance of mine has had hers snatched about once every other year or so, although she's way off to one end of the curve, obviously.

 

[ARperson]

With all due respect, I suspect your friend is lax in her purse patrol. I've been carrying a purse for 20 years or so and have yet to even have an attempt made on mine.

Again, purse snatching is an opportunity-driven crime (hence my comment on your friend's ability to keep her purse under her control). I think if you look at the forest, instead of the trees, you'll see that purse snatching isn't nearly as common as other forms of personal crime, on a per capita basis. I mean, think of all the women who carry a purse every day.

And, I would bet money that most of the purse snatchings have occurred when women stupidly let their purse leave their control. So the actual chances of having a bad guy rip a purse off the shoulder of a woman who is actively guarding it are pretty slim.

 

[joelr]

I'm sure she is sometimes less than careful in public. That was, I think, my point; some people are.

It's certainly up to you whether or not you carry in a purse. It sounds to me like you're doing about all that can be done in making off-body carry reasonably secure, but it is, IMHO, still less secure than on-body carry.

 

[Wanahca]

Whereas I respect where you are coming from as far as being watchful of your possessions, I still think it is best in a confrontation to let the possessions go. We are armed to protect our lives, ultimately. If a "purse snatcher" is truly only after our money it is foolish to escalate the situation by fighting to keep the purse. Not to mention the legal ramifications of killing someone in defense of property. I chose to eliminate the need to defend it by not carrying my firearm there.

 

[Barbara]

I rarely carry in my purse, and in fact last weekend was one of the few times I've done it. I wear my purse long ways, crossed shoulder to hip, to make it more difficult to snag, but I was uncomfortable.

I'm glad to see this topic, though, as I have been considering a belly band and how they were working out for other women. I'm often required to wear suits or other clothing without a good supportive waistband and this seems like the best way to keep the gun on my body.

 

[Wanahca]

Maybe consider making adjustments to your clothes to accommodate a belt. I have been thinking about sewing wider belt loops on my work pants for instance.

I don't like to wear my purse or bags across my chest because if for some reason it is grabbed, I am now caught in it. As I said before, I would rather part with my possessions than risk escalating a situation to a physical confrontation if it doesn't need to be.

 

[Mama06]

I personally think a waistband holster is great for concealment and comfort. However, a good paddle holster, IMO, is easier to draw from. Being a left handed shooter, but a right handed person, it's just somehow easier for me to draw directly from the hip via the paddle holster. I can’t really explain why…it just works for me.

My best suggestion is to experiment with several methods. Borrow a few different style holsters and spend several days at the range with a friend. Practice the different methods of drawing and firing. Have your friend critique your form. Discover what method of carry feels the most natural for your body type and enhances your ability to draw and fire accurately. Then, go with what works best for you.

But, whatever you choose, please....practice, practice, practice! You can buy a snap cap so that you can practice drawing and dry firing in you home. Also practice drawing from different positions, such as sitting at a desk or in your car. If a criminal is going to strike...they will most likely do so when you look like you least expect it or when you look as if you are least able to defend yourself.

Once you develop the muscle memory to be able to react appropriately in any situation, it can put you a step ahead of those who would do you harm.

BTW, maybe when you choose the method of carry that works best for you, you could share it with the other ladies here. It's always great to hear how things work for others.

 

[Dave T]

I have read this thread with interest, both because I teach CCW classes and because my wife has been carrying concealed for almost 10 years. She carries in her purse most of the time and it is a dedicated carry purse from Coronado Leather. It is her fifth or sixth one as she uses them hard and they do wear out.

She occasionally carries in a fanny pack when going dog training but that is the only time she doesn't have a purse with her. On the job she can't carry at all (corporate policy) so she can't get around that without loosing her job (they have fired people for having weapons).

One problem she has it that she refuses to carry a mouse gun. No 380s, 38 Specials or even 9mms. She prefers the 1911 in 45 ACP. To get it in her purse (and to get it out easily) she has a Kimber Ultra Carry Aluminum. She has never found a concealable holster that worked with any version of the 1911s she prefers.

Despite the wide spread disapproval of purse carry expressed here, I'm not going to tell her go give it up or start carrying a 32 Auto. Guess she'll just have to continue doing it wrong.

 

[zahc]

I chose to eliminate the need to defend it by not carrying my firearm there.

I think this is very wise.

 

[Wanahca]

Dave-

If a woman truly feels it is the purse or not at all, I say pick the purse. Especially if she stays sharp and trains drawing from it. For me personally, I just prefer to minimize my need to defend my purse by carrying on my body. There are so many different kinds of holsters available that I think it would be worth your wife's while to take a look again. I use the Galco Royal Guard Inside the Pant Holster and they make it for the Kimber 3, 4 and 5" 1911 models. It is a little uncomfortable, but like I said, a small price to pay for the peace of mind.

In any event, it is good to know that women are carrying at all.

Deborah

 

[Trisha]

I guess I don't go for the elastic belly band holster for a couple of reasons: having asthma, any significantly constrictive clothing is all but completely out of the question. Too, I rarely wear tailored, body-conscious clothes - because, simply, I don't have to, and such just isn't practical up here in the mountains.

And, skinny I ain't! Never been fond of foundation garments, either!

I just love my own cooking a little too much, I guess. . .



Trisha

 

[glockfixer]

Work out

Work out too! .............just one of those things nobody ever mentions.
Broad shoulders, thin midsection = shirt drapes over your waste leaving room to hide your handgun. Big belly pushing on shirt = no room for hand gun. Not that any of you lovely ladies need help. I know you're all beautiful.

I'd stay away from "off body carry". Imagine the panic when you realize you can't find you purse and now you know someone has your ID and you handgun. Bad day to be you!

hugs and kisses...........glockfixer

 

[CAS700850]

A female bailiff/law student I know either carries her Smith 3913 in a belly band under a loose blouse, the same gun in a paddle holser under a light jacket, or a PPK on her ankle with longer pants. "Off duty," she carries the PPK in an IWB clip holster of some make in the appelndix (1:00) position.

And Patricia, welcome. Forgive us all for anything you read on L&P.

 

[Bubbles]

What about while pregnant?

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, and I only thought of it b/c my due date is coming up. Most "on the body" holsters simply won't work because they require a pretty hefty belt. Once I started wearing maternity clothes that wasn't an option.

Overall I've preferred to carry my CHL pistol on my body versus in my purse, but recently it just hasn't been feasible.

Now I just need to find a "tactical diaper bag"...

 

[wrench]

I don't ever carry a purse, but have been carrying every day for about a year and a half.
I think for women it really depends how you dress, and what your body type is like.
I am usually wearing jeans or other pants with belt loops, and find an IWB holster at 3-4 o'clock to be very comfortable carrying either a springfield xd9 subcompact or a S&W 642. Sometimes in the summer I carry the 642 in a pocket holster in baggy shorts.
you might have to try out a few things and find you hate them, before you find a setup that works for you.
if a purse is the only option that works--better than not at all, right?
you go, girl!

 

[SalukiFan]

Welcome to THR Patricia!

When I first started carrying, I looked at a lot of different options. Holsters are almost always designed for men and that causes a lot of difficulty for us women. I carry everyday in a SmartCarry and I really like it. Like most women, I did not want to go into a store and buy the next biggest size of clothing to conceal a gun and with the SmartCarry, you can generally wear the clothing you already have and you don't have to wear a belt which is nice. On the downside, you occasionally have those, "Does this gun make me look fat?" moments!

But back to the purse issue.

I would say a lot would depend on if you regularly carry a purse already. If you aren't used to regularly keeping track of a purse and you would just start carrying a purse to have someplace to hide your handgun, I would strongly advocate on-body carry instead. The few times I've tried carrying a purse, I have inevitably wound up leaving it behind somewhere. I also looked at Dayrunner or PDA type cases but personally, I know how I am and I know that I would be in a rush sometime and leave something like that behind.

On the other hand, if you have a black belt in purse retention and you've considered all of the fine advice of the folks here at THR, I would say go for it and buy a high quality (ooh, and pretty) purse from one of the recommended companies. Good luck!

 

[duck hunt]

I do not like to carry in my purse for the reasons stated above. On the rare occasions that it is necessary due to what I'm wearing, I remove it from my purse before I walk from my car to my house.

I have an inside the waistband holster that works great with jeans. I'm thinking of looking into other types of holsters for when that isn't practical. You can't wear a very fiitted top with the type of holster I have now. I'd like to maybe get a leg holster for when I wear something closer to the waist up top. I don't wear a whole lot of skirts so that's not an issue.

And Bubbles, you're right -- I'm due next week and those maternity waistbands are crap for holding a holster! They flop right down! It's hard enough keeping them up without a gun.

 

[pax]

Have either one of you (Bubbles & duck hunt) tried a shoulder holster while pregnant?

I have a range friend who just found out she's expecting. She carries every day and is looking for more ideas...

*laugh* All I know is that when you're 8 1/2 months along, an ankle holster would be hard to reach!

pax

 

[duck hunt]

I'm not much on a shoulder holster, especially in this heat, but if she just found out she's pregnant she should have more CCW options than we did because she'll have more layers of clothes when she starts showing!

Mazel tov!

 

[Standing Wolf]

I believe it matters less how women carry than whether they carry. I wish more women carried much more often.

 

[Barbara]

I ended up getting the belly band and like it just fine..not enough to use it every day, but it definately works when wearing a skirt or pants without a good waist band.

They have had some nice neoprene ones at some local gun shows but they were 6" wide..too wide for me since I'm so short. I ended up with itchy elasticy one which isn't great, so I bought a couple of very thin camisoles and wear one under it and it works out great.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Broad shoulders, thin midsection = shirt drapes over your waste leaving room to hide your handgun. Big belly pushing on shirt = no room for hand gun.

This is a very good point. I need to work on this myself. I've let myself get pretty fat these last two years. Pregnancy was just as bad for my waistline as it was for my wife's.

Off Topic, but.... It's interesting to see some of the names here that are women. I guess most of the time, I just assume I'm typing to a man. How chauvanist(sp?) of me....