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Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:41 pm
by Wisewr
My wife was at a local HEB a little while back and the following is what she witnessed in broad daylight about 15-20 yards directly in front of the doors leading into the store.

There was a woman carrying a purse, which she described as the "correct" way to prevent someone from simply sliding it off her shoulder. Shortly after they had passed each other, my wife heard someone screaming. She said at first it sounded like a boyfriend/girlfirend argument, but she naturally looked anyhow. What it ended up being was a man attacking this woman over her purse. She said the fight went on for maybe around 30 secs. or longer and was so "intense" that during the struggle the woman's shoes were thrown off. The man eventually overpowered her and made off with her purse in the get-a-way car, a purple four door Hyundai ( "rlol" @ choice of get-a-way car). My wife was by herself with both of our children and certainly was not going to leave them alone to attempt to help this woman and risk something happening to our children. However, the sadest thing about the whole ordeal was that there were "several," so I'm told, men, grown men standing around watching the whole ordeal. How embarrising. The first thing I thought of was AndyC's signature, "Remeber Kitty Genovese." This was a prime example of that. All of those men, whoever you may be, should be ashamed of yourselves.

Now, to the point for the ladies, the man got away with her purse. She had no way to call for help, no keys to the car, no I.D., nothing. AND, had she been a CHL holder, 9 times out of 10 I assume her gun was going to be in her purse. Since I don't have a wife who carries, I assume that is the most common place for a woman to carry her gun. Are there any ladies here who have a daily carry weapon carried in their purse? If not there, where do you carry? I'd like to know, because my wife said that even if she were to get her CHL, it would NOT go on her person like mine on a belt holster. So, I'd like to know where you keep yours.

If you made it this far through the post... thanks for sticking in there.

:txflag:

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:46 pm
by TLynnHughes
If I carry in my purse, I only carry in a purse that is cross body. More than likely, someone who is trying to do a snatch and grab on your purse isn't going to mess with someone carrying it across the body because it would take longer. However, as an added precaution, when I'm walking from my car to anywhere, I unzip the gun compartment and have my hand on my gun. If someone manages to grab the purse, the gun will be staying with me, and come out of the purse pointed at him, hopefully.

T.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:28 pm
by joe817
I unzip the gun compartment and have my hand on my gun. If someone manages to grab the purse, the gun will be staying with me, and come out of the purse pointed at him, hopefully.
That is EXACTLY the recommended way for a lady CHL holder to exit a building according to the "Personal Defense TV" program I watched last week. TLynn, you are doing it by the book! :tiphat: :thumbs2: :thumbs2:

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:54 pm
by jmra
My wife refuses to carry in her purse for this very reason. Someone is much more likely to gain access to her purse than they are to an iwb holstered gun.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:09 pm
by TLynnHughes
joe817 wrote:
I unzip the gun compartment and have my hand on my gun. If someone manages to grab the purse, the gun will be staying with me, and come out of the purse pointed at him, hopefully.
That is EXACTLY the recommended way for a lady CHL holder to exit a building according to the "Personal Defense TV" program I watched last week. TLynn, you are doing it by the book! :tiphat: :thumbs2: :thumbs2:

Thank you, Sir! I can't take all the credit though. I learned that from CompVest. She and the rest of the ladies teach us so much besides shooting at the Women's Program.
jmra wrote:
My wife refuses to carry in her purse for this very reason. Someone is much more likely to gain access to her purse than they are to an iwb holstered gun.
I agree and under most situations, I would rather not carry in my purse either, but depending on what I'm wearing, on the body is not always possible.

T.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:13 am
by ES4Me
I don't feel comfortable enough to carry in a purse. I like feeling that steel/polymer and holster digging into my hip bone and side. It is a constant reminder and I am always aware of its presence. Sometimes, pain is comforting.

But, it has been easy with this colder winter we have had. Summer may bring about a drastic change in my carry method.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 5:23 pm
by roberts
Wisewr wrote:However, the sadest thing about the whole ordeal was that there were "several," so I'm told, men, grown men standing around watching the whole ordeal. How embarrising. The first thing I thought of was AndyC's signature, "Remeber Kitty Genovese." This was a prime example of that. All of those men, whoever you may be, should be ashamed of yourselves.
It was just a purse and it wasn't even their purse.
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=31750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:48 pm
by quidni
I'll do it occasionally, but purse carry is "last resort" carry for me. I prefer to dress in layers, even in summer, so that I've got cover for whatever I'm carrying that day. Yes, light cotton layers can be practical in the summer heat. If my purse gets grabbed, I can put a "stop-pay" on the checkbook & card with just a phone call. Not so easy to cancel a stolen pistol.

There are various ways to carry on-body. IWB, OWB, belly band, Smart-carry, shoulder holster, pocket, etc.... the biggest hindrance to on-body carry for a woman, I think, is the tendency to get stuck on the idea that there's "only one right way" to do it. Remember the truism... "Invention is the necessity of Mother!" :mrgreen:

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:34 pm
by MoJo
:iagree: A lot of ladies carry way too much stuff in their purses a gun has little or no business in one.

During the Christmas mugging > > > > I mean shopping season of 2009 there was a lady leaving the local Super WallyLand with her purse strap across her chest. A car pulled up next to her the passenger grabbed her purse and they sped away. The woman was dragged for 50 feet or so before the purse snatcher let go. Fortunately she wasn't hurt too badly mostly scrapes and bruises but it could have been so much worse.

My wife refuses to carry a purse with a shoulder strap and during Christmas mugging season she only carries a small wallet in her pocket.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:41 pm
by TLynnHughes
MoJo wrote::iagree: A lot of ladies carry way too much stuff in their purses a gun has little or no business in one.

During the Christmas mugging > > > > I mean shopping season of 2009 there was a lady leaving the local Super WallyLand with her purse strap across her chest. A car pulled up next to her the passenger grabbed her purse and they sped away. The woman was dragged for 50 feet or so before the purse snatcher let go. Fortunately she wasn't hurt too badly mostly scrapes and bruises but it could have been so much worse.

My wife refuses to carry a purse with a shoulder strap and during Christmas mugging season she only carries a small wallet in her pocket.
I think a lot depends on how situationally aware you are. I would NEVER let a car get close enough to me to reach out and touch me much less grab my purse. If I hear one behind me, I move WAY out of the way. I hate to have people walk up behind me and I'll move over so that I can see who's gaining ground on me. My purse currently has car keys, a hard side wallet, my cell phone, a pen, my security badge for work and my gun. The gun is in a compartment all by itself. Of course, too, I'm different than most women in that I RARELY go shopping. (I HATE shopping!) And it's even more rare that I'll shop without williamkevin. So for my lifestyle, I'm very comfortable with how I carry.

T.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:50 am
by seniorshooteress
I was going to carry my gun in my purse today but thought better of it as I don't like the idea of "maybe" not being in control of my weapon. I have this thought if someone has my purse, they have my weapon so I carry in a little bag I got from walmart, kinda like a fanny pak, only smaller (Holds my Glock 26, a spare clip and that is it.) I put extra velcro on the part that folds over and has places for ID, credit cards ,to make a secure belt loop , a very wide belt loop. When I am at home I have a pocket holster for my Kel-Tec P32. The last place I would put my weapon is in my purse. I just feel more comfortable with it on my body. If I have to leave my weapon in my vehicle I take the clip out and carry that with me. I try not to go anywhere that I can't take my gun inside with me.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:29 am
by TLynnHughes
LOL....after posting last night, I decided I just don't have much of a life. (I'm kidding really, I have a rich and full life!) But I don't go a lot of places that require a purse. I go to work (gun gets locked in safe in car) and back home. I go to the range (gun bag, no purse). I hang out with family and friends (who either carry or don't mind if I do). Any place else I go, I carry on my person...or at least should (sometimes I'm complacent). But, if my clothes don't allow for it (a dress is particularly tricky), then I have no issues with purse carry.

But the OP is right, it is something that needs to be thought out and probably an individual choice for every woman depending on what they do in the course of the day and how comfortable they are with their weapon.

T.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:26 pm
by Wisewr
roberts wrote:It was just a purse and it wasn't even their purse.
That is true. I read the article you attached and wow, that is just amazing. To think that the LEO was basically punished for doing his job and doing it well, that's a crying shame. Evveryone of those people involved in charges agasint him need to step back and take a look at themseles. Here is basically what I think this nation has come to and those examples prove it. I think that everyone is looking for a quick dollar. Some way to say someone wronged them and they need some money to make up for it. How sad. Of course, I would also like to ask the former LEO how many encounters he had over his 20 year career that he was thanked for doing the right thing. I'm just wondering if those examples he mentioned arn't exceptions to the rule. In closing on this semi-off topic point, I would want someone to intervene if it were my wife, son, or daughter, no questions asked. I may not be able to control other people's thoughts and actions, but I try to follow a higer calling and that is, "Treat your neighbor as yourself."
TLynnHughes wrote:LOL....after posting last night, I decided I just don't have much of a life. (I'm kidding really, I have a rich and full life!)
I kinda feel the same way! Work, home, back to work, church, back home, work in the morning.......it's a vichious cycle.
TLynnHughes wrote:I think a lot depends on how situationally aware you are.
I try to at least get my wife to do this if she's not going to carry. Things like have your keys and phone in your hand when walking out of a store. Don't get to the car and go fumbling through your purse for them. All the perp needs is a second. And like you said, watch your surroundings. Know where people are and be on the look out for something suspicious. If something doesn't look or feel right, it probably isn't.
MoJo wrote:During the Christmas mugging > > > > I mean shopping season of 2009
"rlol"
MoJo wrote:My wife refuses to carry a purse with a shoulder strap and during Christmas mugging season she only carries a small wallet in her pocket.
Not a bad idea at all.

Thanks for all the input from the women on your alternate carry options.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:28 pm
by karder
Wisewr wrote: However, the sadest thing about the whole ordeal was that there were "several," so I'm told, men, grown men standing around watching the whole ordeal.
I just can't understand how grown men could stand around a not get involved. This guy is a purse snatcher for pete's sake! The lady is able to hold him of for 30 seconds, so if any guy starts running up to help, the BG is going to take off. Just last Friday there was a story on the national news about a 15 year old girl who was jumped, beat up, and robbing by a group of four or five other teenage girls (no weapons, just punching and kicking). All this happened in a subway with 3 transit security guards standing there watching, as well as a number of other people. No one did anything. Our society has become so detached. We need a Good Samaritan revival in this nation.

Re: Something to think about, ladies...

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:32 pm
by Wisewr
karder wrote:We need a Good Samaritan revival in this nation.
My point excatly, just better said. Thank you for that. :thumbs2: