Florida guys, looking for a little clarification on concealed carry.

[7.62 Re[)E^^Pt!oN]

So, I'm no lawyer, and I have a hard time understanding what exactly is "concealed carry" here under Fl. Not so much the concealed part, but I guess what I mean is, is it legal to print, so long as I'm completely concealed. I have asked a few local LEOs, and have gotten multiple differing responses.
I just want to be clear for piece of mind in that one instance, when perhaps I am printing, and an officer, or "concerned citizen" happens to notice. Where do we as Floridians stand on this??

[Heimdhal]

Concealed means concealed.  Printing is not concealed, so it's not "legal" to print.   Now sometimes that happens under SOME situations, but certainly don't walk out of the house knowingly and obviously printing (no more of them tight, sexy shirts man meat ).

With the recent passage of our "brief exposure" clause, you may (but likely may not) get some leeway, but it's up to the officer so why risk it.

Hope this helps.  Keep it concealed! 

[Michigander]

The thing that sucks, as we all know, is that to truly avoid printing to where a RKI couldn't notice something was amiss underneath your clothing, requires either an obnoxiously big and baggy cover garment, or off body carry. Reasonable concealment, sure. Truly not printing, now that's a tall, and nearly impossible order with anything much bigger than a .380 pocket gun, especially for a skinnier person. And even then, use a good holster. 

And by the way, you may thank the NRA, specifically what's her name that became president after Charlton Heston, and some others, for blocking the passage of open carry in Florida.

[7.62 Re[)E^^Pt!oN]

It is a struggle to not print, especially in this horrible Fl heat. I am a fairly skinny guy, so even with my HHH from Heimdhal, its hard to not print. I do wear bigger shirts, 'cause I like to be comfortable in this weather, but I still have a hard time not printing. I guess I need to change up to a smaller carry gun. I suppose anything would be smaller than a 1911. But man I like carrying it.     

[Michigander]

AIWB should make for a small enough print with a baggy shirt that even anti gun cops will leave you alone. But I don't know how open you'd be to a 1911 pointing at your nuts all day long. 

[Wyrd]

The law says 'concealed from ordinary sight' & the new law even allows for accidental exposure, so you shouldn't worry about being arrested. (Unless the Cop wants to ignore the law, then they do as they please)

If seen, most likely the Cop will just tell you to conceal better. (As long as you are licensed)

[jmm]

Part of the stand your ground or concealed carry law included provisions to remove the illegality of printing including if the wind blows your coat back for a brief moment. I recall this being mentioned, but I don't have the exact provision at hand.

[7.62 Re[)E^^Pt!oN]

The Ranger Rig from Heimdhal is an IWB type, and I wear it at about the 3 o'clock position. It has a pretty good cant to it, so the handle rides right up my hip to my side, that's where I like it best for drawing, and concealment. But there is times where I lean a certain way, or kneel down , or bend, and it sticks right up into my shirt, showing through. Every once in a while, my shirt does get caught on it, and I have to be aware of this constantly to make sure I'm not accidentally OCing.   

One other thing I wanted to add was, I like carrying the 1911 because of the big grip it has. It makes for a solid grasp as I sweep my shirt with my left hand, and draw it from my holster with my right. I don't feel my Makarov would be as easy and quickly removed from the holster as the 1911, with its stubbier, thinner grip.. I suppose its time to give a hard look into the Glocks again. Im just very comfortable with the RIA, and have gotten pretty good with it.

[Michigander]

That's one of the reasons why AIWB is a better position for the deepest concealment needs. Even a small gut will cover the top of the guns printing, and with it being right in front of you it's much easier to constantly make sure your shirt is all the way down.

The other reason is that there is more surface area to your abdomen than there is on your side, and so it prints less by blending in to your chest, rather than creating a more obvious bulge.

Unless your BMI is staggeringly low AND you insist on wearing very tight clothes, AIWB carry can work wonders, so long as you make good and sure you don't blow your junk off. 

[7.62 Re[)E^^Pt!oN]

Yea, I tried the appendix carry, and I HATED it. So excruciatingly painful to sit, or lean, or bend, or anything really. I can't for the life of me see how some folks do it. Especially with a large frame gun like a 1911. I'm confident with the safety mechanisms of the 1911, I just can't handle the hammer in my gut jabbing away at me.

[ranger1968]

 Luke, your carry position is fine....you could maybe shift it back to the 4:00 or 4:30 position, as the slightly different angle will positon the gun at an oblique to your body axis rather than straight back the way 3:00, which is directly on your side, does...

 Also, get into the habit of wearing darker colors..they hide outlines better, and of tucking your elbow in when you bend so that your arm blocks anyones view of the grip poking your shirt....

[7.62 Re[)E^^Pt!oN]

Ah, good tips. I am pretty good about holding my shirt with my elbow if I do have to bend down or something. There's just times I forget I'm carrying, really. The holster wears that well on me. I have tried the 4 o'clock position, but like appendix, its hard for me to sit comfortably. Maybe it's just the nature of the beast with a large frame gun. I'm not gonna lie, I like having the .45 caliber, but I may have to start looking into something in a smaller frame if I'm gonna stick with it.


Well, back to the original question, is printing illegal? I just need a little more clarification guys. I understand what Eric's saying, but if the law allows for accidental exposure, how can printing not be allowed? Just my thoughts here, trying to get a real good understanding of how it's written on the books.

[Heimdhal]

To make it short: THere is no actualy law that says "No printing" in Florida.  There in fact, AFAIK isnt any case law on the matter either.

I highly recomend NOT doing it and avoid it at all cost, because while you may NOT get arrested, you may get an unfriendly visit from a few deputies how want to know whats up.


Most people arent paying enough attention to notice what might or might not be a gun on your hip thats kinda poking out.

If your shirt is so tight you can almost read the roll mark on the slide and clearly tell its a gun, you'll probably have a little explaining to do.


Just get used to doing things like what Ranger said, tucking the elbow and bending at the knees instead of the waist (yes, like a woman).  Find longer shirts as well

[Michigander]

I can't for the life of me see how some folks do it.

I own a belly band, and hate it in the AIWB position for the reasons you described. That's why I like unchambered AIWB carry with no holster. I can comfortably carry all day this way.

In regards to the means of bending over Heimdhal described, I agree 100%, so long as that's an option for you. However, if you're on your feet most of the day, and at times having to bend over and crawl around and such for your job while using both hands for this or that as customers look at you, AIWB can show itself to have more merits. That, and pocket/ankle carry. Really a personal needs and preferences type of thing, in my opinion.

[jwperry]

First, let me say that no one can see your gun. You think you're printing and you're acting paranoid, that will attract attention, but no one is paying enough attention to your waist line while your cruising around shopping to see the outline of a gun.

Well, back to the original question, is printing illegal? I just need a little more clarification guys. I understand what Eric's saying, but if the law allows for accidental exposure, how can printing not be allowed? Just my thoughts here, trying to get a real good understanding of how it's written on the books.

I think it was made grey for a reason, it is one of those feel good laws, but people still adhere to the old standard as no one wants to or can afford to be the test case for it.

Have you thought about a Commander sized M1911? For me a 4" barrel is about optimal for concealment, 5" is really pushing it, especially if you wear your pants around your hips and not around your waist(like I do).