Playing with CCW causes panic and police response at TX movie theater

[Indy317]

Fair use:

Man with gun causes scare at Kingwood movie theater | khou.com Houston

Tiffany Craig / KHOU 11 News

Nickii McGuire had to make a restroom run mid-movie. That's when she saw a suspicious man walk into the Showbiz Cinema on Northpark Drive near Highway 59.

"I instantly got an unsettling feeling just looking at the man," said Nickii McGuire. "He had this bulge underneath the jacket on the left side and you could tell he was using this arm to cup and hold it."

She kept watching and eventually spotted a gun.


Mandel says an officer at the theater found the patron and frisked him.

"The cop found the guy and checked that he had a concealed handgun license and escorted him out of the building," Mandel said. "The guy was quite embarrassed because knew the rules he didn't mean to have the pistol."

No police report was filed, but McGuire said the officer also found a knife on the man and she questions what his real intentions could have been.


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Just another example of why a good holster and belt is a must if one carries a pistol. In this case, it sounds like the wanna be CCer was making enough odd movements with this arm that it aroused suspicion in this lady. I doubt she would have noticed just a bulge without the guy doing whatever he was doing (adjusting, trying to keep it from falling, etc.). I have been guilty of this myself many, many years ago. Today I would never think of using a cheap holster and no belt.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Odd how Indiana's gun laws seem to be a bit better than Texas in some respects.

Hell, I adjust my OC gun in public sometimes, and I ALSO have a knife. Oh boy, what could my intentions be!?

 

[Ash]

Hell, I adjust my OC gun in public sometimes, and I ALSO have a knife. Oh boy, what could my intentions be!?

Preparedness?

 

[The Bubba Effect]

Odd how Indiana's gun laws seem to be a bit better than Texas in some respects.

Hell, I adjust my OC gun in public sometimes, and I ALSO have a knife. Oh boy, what could my intentions be!?

Making a sammich?

 

[jgreiner]

Odd how Indiana's gun laws seem to be a bit better than Texas in some respects.

Hell, I adjust my OC gun in public sometimes, and I ALSO have a knife. Oh boy, what could my intentions be!?

I was surprised recently to learn that VA's gun laws are in many respects, better than Indiana's. Virginia is a "Gold Star" open carry state.

In Virginia, as in many states, carrying a concealed weapon requires a permit, issued by a local court. But no permit is required to simply wield a gun in the open, a right reinforced by a state law that took effect July 1. Not so in the District and Maryland, unless you're a police or federal officer.

 

[HmDBrian]

Odd how Indiana's gun laws seem to be a bit better than Texas in some respects.

Hell, I adjust my OC gun in public sometimes, and I ALSO have a knife. Oh boy, what could my intentions be!?

Well, the same would happen here in NWI. I dont think there are any theaters in this area that allow firearms. If your spotted with one, same outcome, asked to leave. Its not like he was arrested or anything.

Like you, I also have a firearm and knife on me too. I dont OC though, all I have is a pf9 for a handgun right now. Im not a big fan of OCing such a small gun.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

I was surprised recently to learn that VA's gun laws are in many respects, better than Indiana's. Virginia is a "Gold Star" open carry state.

In Virginia, as in many states, carrying a concealed weapon requires a permit, issued by a local court. But no permit is required to simply wield a gun in the open, a right reinforced by a state law that took effect July 1. Not so in the District and Maryland, unless you're a police or federal officer.

Although that is true, Ohio is similar... you can OC without a license... BUT... the second you get in your car, you're considered Concealing, which requires a license.

Ohio also requires you to inform an officer if you are armed. Not sure if it's the same in VA, but while they sound a bit more free, they lack in other areas

 

[Tinner666]

We're required to tell in Va. Same in SC and a bunch of other states. Failuer to tell can cause an officer to believe you have something to hide.
Here's the Utah Opinion on it;

If I get stopped by a police officer, do I, as a permit holder, have to tell the officer that I have a gun in my possession?
Although there is no legal requirement to identify yourself to a law enforcement officer, it is recommended to do so.
If an officer finds or sees a gun on your person during their contact with you, and you have not identified yourself as a permit holder in legal possession of a firearm, the officer may assume you are carrying the gun illegally and may take defensive action. For the safety of all involved, it is recommended to immediately identify yourself to the officer as a permit holder in possession of a handgun. This action gives the officer some assurance they are most likely dealing with a law abiding citizen.

Here's how things go in Va. and most other states. https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general_firearms_discussion/286910-chesterfield_pd.html

There is no FOID card here. You only have to get a permit if you want to CCW. I OC and CC according to how I dress without any issues.

 

[brotherbill3]

I think in TEXAS - it is CCW - and NO PRINTING (cursive only )

so CC - MEANS CC - ONLY. ... it must be hidden ... as odd as that seems for the great big boy pants state. - that's from top of the head ...

 

[Alamo]

There is no law against "printing" in Texas. There is a law against intentionally displaying a handgun. Some people, including a few LEOs, go nuts when they see, or think the see, or suspect someone has a gun. Unfortunately there is no law against this.

If the theater was properly marked against concealed carry (which requires a big sign meeting some specific statutory requirements, not a
"gunbuster" or "no firearms" sign), then he was violating the law. If there was no sign, but it came to management's attention and they told him to leave, then he was required to leave.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

Fair use:

Man with gun causes scare at Kingwood movie theater | khou.com Houston

Tiffany Craig / KHOU 11 News

Nickii McGuire had to make a restroom run mid-movie. That's when she saw a suspicious man walk into the Showbiz Cinema on Northpark Drive near Highway 59.

"I instantly got an unsettling feeling just looking at the man," said Nickii McGuire. "He had this bulge underneath the jacket on the left side and you could tell he was using this arm to cup and hold it."

She kept watching and eventually spotted a gun.


Mandel says an officer at the theater found the patron and frisked him.

"The cop found the guy and checked that he had a concealed handgun license and escorted him out of the building," Mandel said. "The guy was quite embarrassed because knew the rules he didn't mean to have the pistol."

No police report was filed, but McGuire said the officer also found a knife on the man and she questions what his real intentions could have been.


===============================================


Just another example of why a good holster and belt is a must if one carries a pistol. In this case, it sounds like the wanna be CCer was making enough odd movements with this arm that it aroused suspicion in this lady. I doubt she would have noticed just a bulge without the guy doing whatever he was doing (adjusting, trying to keep it from falling, etc.). I have been guilty of this myself many, many years ago. Today I would never think of using a cheap holster and no belt.

"English: does he speak it?"