The Crappiest Situation in Concealed Carrying

How To Carry and Use the Restroom

07/31/2007 - I can only speak for this as a man, but there may be some advice in here for women as well. On top of my other bathroom habits of cleanliness and paranoia, I have a pretty well set way in which I manage my handgun and those un-avoidable trips to a public restroom, such as that trip to Wal Mart that lasts an hour longer than planned. I never have any issue using the urinals, as I don’t purchase pants without a fly. When I must use a stall I prefer to use the end stall with a wall behind and a wall to one side as this limits the amount of area the requires attention, additionally with the typically larger size of a handicapped stall it allows more privacy. When your drawers drop there is a concern with having your gun sitting next to your feet, just like you can see the feet of the person next to you, they can see yours. I try to combat this by carrying a paddle holster when possible, this allows the firarm to remain holstered when removed from the waistline. I try to put the holster in my pants or underpants and keep them pulled up as far as comfort allows below the knee, in the event that I cannot use this method I try and utilize the top of a paper dispenser in the stall, but this is typically a last resort for me. Another more stable solution I have utilized is that if know there is a high chance of being somewhere where I may need to use the facilities, I will try to keep a man bag or man purse if you insist with and will transfer the firearm in the stall into the bag or carry in the bag all along and then utilize the clothes hook mounted in all stalls. This is what I have found to be the best way to manage a firearm while using the restroom in public, but my primary suggestion is pre-planning all situations you may come into. Use the restroom before leaving when able, mentally consider options and actions before having to use them, and maintain control and privacy of your firearm at all times. Don’t let the though process of keeping your firearm concealed cause you to forget cleanliness though, always wash your hands before leaving the restroom!

John Pierik III is a freelance writer writing for SigSauerPro.com