Taking off jacket and exposing CCW...

[turboman]

When I go somewhere carrying, what to do when I have to take off my coat. IWB is impractical for me. Can we wear sidearm openly inside a business, say, a medical clinic, assuming there's no sign banning handguns totally on their door.

The only option seems to be removing the pistol and put it in the cars glove box (must be locked?) and just wear the empty holster? WI is obviously a concealed carry only.

Any other suggestion greatly appreciated.

[titaniumman]

really?..Just open carry?..really? That would be a great way to get arrested and lose your right to carry!

[50SR9]

Only if open carry is allowed in your state. Only answer I see is to, (1) use IWB style holster, (2) Wear a lighter jacket that you don't have to take off or (3) wear a shirt that will cover the weapon. Last thing is to leave it in the car when you attend such "no weapon" policy places.

[fourmula766]

Wi has open carry but unless its been recently changed its not allowed in hospitals

[dragon6]

Concealed carry means concealed. How I carry and how I dress are part of my daily life. Plan ahead, dress so that if a jacket needs to be removed your weapon is still concealed. Equally important is carrying so that if needed, your weapon can be presented quickly. For me, IWB works, even in shorts and a shirt.

Romans 8:37

[mrjam2jab]

WI allows for open carry. They didn't take it away when they created the concealed carry permit.

really?..Just open carry?..really? That would be a great way to get arrested and lose your right to carry!

Many states outside of NY allow open carry.

Wi has open carry but unless its been recently changed its not allowed in hospitals

I don't see hospitals being restricted locations in WI.

[anvil6]

Depends on what the law is in the jurisdiction and on how upset the folks in the businesses might get - not just their staff, but also their customers. There ARE other options. Tuckable IWB is not THAT uncomfortable. There are a couple of "holster-undershirts" on the market that do a good job of concealing under a normal dress shirt, or even a shoulder holster under a normal shirt. Belly band holsters. Various jackets and vests designed with concealed carry features built in. Off-body carry - just make sure it can't be left behind! "Fanny Pack" that functions as a PDA holder or small-tools pouch. Ankle holster. Pocket holster. If legal to do so, I would make every effort to keep the carry piece on my person.

Leaving it in the car is the choice of last resort. I would avoid placing anything I want to keep inside a vehicle glove compartment. Portable handgun vaults can either be mounted to some vehicles or secured by cable to most all vehicles. If placed inside the vehicle trunk, that adds an additional layer of security against theft. Unfortunately, storage in the vehicle opens a window of vulnerability - from the time you leave the vehicle until you retrieve the carry piece and rearm. Be very aware of your surroundings.

[KCD1974]

I read through this extensively today, NO WHERE did I see hospitals or clinics listed and you CAN open carry in WI...so you should have no issues at all....

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/...q-20111020.pdf

[Joe Legere]

I've had my firearm exposed before by accident. Sometimes at if we're out shopping and I have to grab something off the top shelf. I wouldn't worry about it. Just cover back up quickly and noone should be the wiser. Not a huge deal.

[CharonPDX]

As others have said: It depends on where you are.

I have a "concealed carry jacket", and an IWB holster. I keep it in easy reach in the jacket's built-in holster most of the time - but when I take off the jacket, it moves to my IWB holster. (I usually switch in the elevator or bathroom, if I'm worried that exposing it might draw unwanted attention.)

Open carry is legal here - but VERY uncommon. And while private businesses often do not have "no guns" signs around here, it is likely more due to lack of thinking to post one than actual gun-friendliness, so I try not to push it. (I know one business that DID add a sign after a friend open carried there.)