I go to the gym every afternoon before work. Sometimes I go straight back to my apartment afterwards. Sometimes I get dressed up in my normal clothes and do some errands afterwards. My question is, what do you guys recommend concerning my piece on the days i decide to run errands? Should I bring my piece in with me? I have a combo lock I use to put my gym bag up. I also have a combination safe I keep in my truck.
In circumstances similar to yours I typically lock things up in a safe secured with a cable under the seat in my vehicle. I had a gym locker broken into when I was in high school. They are pretty easy to pry open. Though so are most car safes but they have to get past the car alarm first.
The one thing you don’t want to do is let anyone see you taking your firearm off or putting it on whether you are in the vehicle or the gym.
I was impressed years ago to always keep firearms double-locked (i.e. locked rack inside a vault).
I’m not sure that’s always necessary, but when I have a firearm in a locked safe inside my locked car, it calms me down a bit. Not that a commercial automobile is “secure” in any sense of the word, but at least it’s locked.
By contrast, your firearm would only be locked once inside a gym locker. Something to consider.
I carry when picking up the mail from my mailbox, errands are exactly the time s#|ÂĄ is going to happen! The gym or doctors office is totally different story from picking up the dry cleaning and milk!
You also mentioned dressing. As far as that goes,
the right gear for the right occasion!
Sorry for the misunderstanding lol. Of course I plan on carrying when I run errands. I was asking if I should put my piece in my gym locker or leave it in my truck safe
I don’t participate at the gym, but I do cardio therapy twice a week at the hospital, I leave it in the car. Like some have said, you don’t want to be seen taking it on or off. Furthermore, my car is a little more secure than any gym locker! So is your truck.
I’ve found over the decades, that if you just act normal when holstering in the car or anywhere in “the open”, act as if everything is normal, you won’t draw attention to yourself! I don’t advocate this as a habit or a trend.
I feel extremely comfortable with myself and my surroundings at the time. I’ve been to doctors offices and carried off body in my man purse, the nurse asked if she could move it, ( what’s your first instinct, give that some thought ) I said sure. I don’t panic and I don’t flinch. If I’m questioned about the weight, it’s gold, ( we both have a good laugh) end of conversation nobody is the wiser. But if your first instinct is to grab the bag, that says a lot more than just gold in the bag.
Then off to the restroom to put on all my gear.
Wearing my sidearm is as normal as wearing socks!
98% of the general public doesn’t know what day it is, the other 2% is us and we know you’re carrying!
I’ve had to re-holster after hospital visits, jury duty, DMV visits, schools. I was a process server for a long time and there are some places that are just too restrictive, like the local police station. No one is watching us unless you give them reason.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I believe I know what I will do from here on out. As I’ve stated before, I’m still new to the CCW lifestyle. I just got my IWB holster this weekend, so I’ve been open carrying until Monday. I still open carry when I’m home in NC, as I don’t have my CCW permit yet, but while I’m in Tennessee, where I’m working ATM, I’ve been concealing, as it is a permitless carry state. I’m sure it will take some getting used to, and of course, I’m taking in all the info and educating myself as much as I can. Thanks again
I feel you. Good for you brother. Sometimes, I’ll actually choose the specific firearm based on if there is even a slighter chance that I’ll have to leave in locked in the vehicle. Like you all mentioned, vehicle probably safer than the gym locker.
Here’s a thought. Separate pieces, I mean, frame upper with slide, Vs. bottom lower frame, being separated, one half in the car, one half with you in the back pack. All ammo completely separate, but in the car, in its own lock.
I’ve mixed it up a bit, so if stolen, the crook only has half of a deadly weapon. Makes me feel better.
Save up for the best darn lock and cable for the car, and a better car alarm. Choose where you park with the utmost care. Ask the gym manager if they are 2A friendly and if they offer a special place to lock up firearms there. Someone told me that hospitals are starting to do that for the public/patients, I’m happy to say.
There are other options, depending upon what and how you carry, and what you do “at the gym”.
A smallish pistol is not that hard to wear or conceal while working out on aerobic machines or floor exercise, but there are activities which would be more problematic (contact sports, free weights, etc). Just some thinking about holster and outfit which works.
Changing outfits or showering at the facility would make it hard to remain discreet. So do all that at home, and throw a set of sweats over shorts and tee for the before and activity. Get the wardrobe and routine figured out, and just wear the gun.
I carry a double stack 9mm most of the time, but will switch to a micro .380 if I will need to be a little “more secret”. Maybe some adjustments will work, or maybe you’re stuck ditching the gun — I would not trust a gym locker for security.
Hey @bonzo1975 ,
If I read correctly, you’re carrying in multiple states based on the Constitutional Carry laws of that state. Double check but, they may not allow that for out of state folks unless you have a LTC/equivalent from your own home state with reciprocity.
Next, just a terminology note. By using the term “Piece” here in a public forum, if you are ever engaged in a trial, a prosecutor could refer to any online usage of that term as an aggressive non self-defense term to potential portray you as an aggressor.
i.e. “I had my piece on me incase I had to shoot somebody who was hurting me”.
i.e. “I carry my firearm in the event I have to protect myself or others who are at risk of being attacked and causing great bodily harm or death”.
Lastly, welcome to the forum and starting a good topic.
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I did my due diligence on concealing here in TN. It is lawful for out of state residents, provided they are allowed to own a handgun. I just can’t in my home state of NC until I get my permit. While I’m there I’m open carrying.
I also do cardio rehab 3x a week at the hospital, which is a no carry zone. I lock mine in my truck safe and feel ok with that as its only a long hour.
Lots of cardio rehabers on this forum! I “graduated” from my cardio rehab 6 or so weeks ago. Now I am doing Krav Maga to continue working on getting all my lost muscle back. Can’t wear my gun while working out there but did get to practice disarming a person with a blue gun today.
Does bring to mind, for those who can afford it, a different firearm for the different occasion one plans on each week or month.
I did kung fu for a few years, several years back. It was the best shape I’d ever been in. I still retained some of the knowledge, but I’m out of practice.
I plan on buying more, just still getting used to the one I have right now.
Options are good but too many options can increase the learning and practice curves. I like to at least make sure I have similar controls and sights on my primary carry and home defense options. Because of this I find it pretty easy to switch back and forth between them despite the different sizes and brands.
Personal opinion here. Unless my state, specifically, made gyms gun free zones I would keep it in my bag. Under my control. Or in a fanny pack.