Conceal in her purse?

[Maestro]

My gf wants to conceal her .22 in her purse. She has her permit, but it seems like in her purse, while maybe convenient, wouldn't be the best place to have it. Seems like it would be hard to get out, might have purse on the floor, etc. I think she needs a holster, her uncle says no.

What do you guys think?

[Ice]

Hard to have her purse on her 24/7 - ie. leaving it at table to go dance

Leaves her purse open to someone stealing it - then now having gun in their possession

And her open to not having her .22 on her if she gets taken when doesn't have gun on her

Best to have it concealed imo - that way if anything happens, she'll have it on her.

I'm sure you've done this -- just important to make sure laws in the area allow her to use it to defend herself -- in some areas where people live, it is not supported

[Maestro]

Yeah, she has her Conceal Carry permit, which in South Carolina, you can pretty much take it anywhere. But like you said Ice, seems like a lot of scenarios that would make concealing in her purse a bad idea

[Bravo]

Maestro=spot on, Ice great points

I have seen lots of women CCW in a purse, or fanny type bag

Some are made just for that

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywor ... fho1l5ky_b

some just have in a holster, secure in the purse

it comes down to a few things

1. How is she with the purse? Does she leave it sitting around all the time and possible scenarios like ICE listed could happen. Or is she careful about where it goes and how secure it is? (like all women should be IMO with something as important as a purse and what it holds....but how many guys take wallets and money clips out and leave sitting around...

2. Does/will she train- drawing it from there. I know lots of women, where it takes them a few minutes to find their keys or a costco card in a purse. You probably wouldnt have that time to draw a gun, something they go for LESS- and UNDER STRESS when they need it.

Purse, fannypack, messenger bag, ankle, glove box, are all slow draw positions (of course glove box while in car) but you NEED the time to get to them.

On your hip, you always have it, can get to quick, and can protect it best.

So it's a balancing act, with many factors.

I usually carry IWB, sometimes I can't so go to ankle. Sometimes I can't carry a gun, so I carry a more serious blade, sometimes I can't, sometimes I can only carry a folder, sometimes I can't, sometimes I can only carry a flashlight....

So I do as best as I can, when I can, in the most secure/safest manner.


does that help?


also what kind of gun/.22 is it?

[Maestro]

Absolutely. Told her what you said and we're going to look into holsters. She agreed the purse is a bad idea. Thanks for the advice guys.

It's a tiny little Beretta

[Bravo]

Flip up barrel?

Read up on those.

22 can be a very unreliable round. And very tiny.

I had a 32 keltec. Super tiny and more reliable and powerful. 380s came out that are same size and that's what my GF has

[Maestro]

Yeah, it's not the best weapon, but it's better than nothing. She also carries a folder and is a third degree black belt. Her uncle gave it to her so I'm glad she has something. Once we are a little better off I'm going to get us both something better.

[Jay-T]

My sister carries on her hip mostly but she has a shoulder holster if she's trying to be more stylish. She tried the purse thing for a week or two but she didn't feel like she could draw it in time. Especially if she had her hands full of other bags and stuff it was too much to drop the bags except her purse then dig it out and aim. Also she said it was awkward when she was at a restaurant or store and was digging for her keys/credit card and the gun would become visible and scare people.