And if they ask...

[Brian_Turner]

...what your V-Gar is, what do you tell them?

Until something more "stylish" than a web belt becomes available, some folks are going to be asking me what that thing in my pocket is that's tied to my belt loop.

Remember - Any answer involving defense or weapons makes the item immediately illegal in many states.

I'm gravitating toward: "I use it to lift computer room raised floor tiles and bundles of cabling." I can, if pressed, give a convincing account of how the item can be used for these purposes.

Any other bright ideas?

 

[Attila]

I've never had anyone ask. One of the best things about JSP stuff is that is sooooo low profile, that it's scary! I carry it either in my custom V-belt or cowhitched. I've even walked thru a metal detector with it on the belt while visiting a LEO friend of mine in a courthouse. I beeped (good calibration on their part) & when asked what that was I pointed to the belt & said, the buckle. I got an "ok, move on... these are not the droids we are looking for" from the officer, while my LEO buddy was watching with a cheshire cat grin on his mug... he knew the deal.

Good idea about the computer room scenario. It could pass muster. I once walked one of my mother inlaws ferrets with my v-gar as it's leash. Thankfully I wasn't attacked while doing so, the poor thing would have packed a good weight to slap the bg in the chops... SPLAT! Sorry little guy...

------------------
Attila

 

[Don Rearic]

I heard from someone on here that James is planning a leather V-Belt, if so, that will solve your problem immediately. I will call James and find out.

As for "stylish," I understand...however, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little bit too. A choice between the "Fashion Police" and the Real Police?

Yes, the sad state of affairs in this country currently dictates that anything you carry that is even remotely viable for self-defense...makes you a criminal...like I said before, when they make it illegal for you to defend yourself, they not only encourage the criminal element, but they make ordinary, honest people into criminals as well.

So, what to do if you do not want to use the Nylon V-Belt, and the Leather never happens or is not going to reach fruition soon?

The smallest V-Gar Pouch, a safety pin through it anchoring it to the bottom of your pants pocket? Just a thought...I will get back with you after I talk to James.

 

[Don Rearic]

Brian,

I just got off the phone with James...the leather V-Belt is in the works and james is currently accepting orders for them, but they are not available yet. The prototype is completed, but they have to be produced and this is a very special item. Call James and out your order in.

I tried to nail down a time frame, James is not sure at this point but hopes it will be within three (3) months, do not hold him to that, as I said, this is a very special item.

They will be $95.00 and you will have your choice between brown or black, and there has been a modification to the attachment point at the front that James will explain to you far better than I could, but it is an improvement. I hope this helps you out Brian, and keeps you safe!

 

[Don Rearic]

By the way Brian, please go over and take a look at the ID WALLET Thread I am putting up and add what you will! Thanks.

 

[Brian_Turner]

As far as sacrifices to the fashion police, I think that the omnipresent folder clipped to my pocket, along with the stat cord hanging out of my back pocket are an equitable balance to most of the threats I'll encounter here in the data center, or most other places in greater suburbia.

While it's true that a better belt will help conceal the V-Gar in a larger number of scenarios, I'm much happier (and ultimately more comfortable) hiding in plain sight, with an explanation for the item, than trying to be totally invisible and then having to answer for carrying a concealed arsenal.

It's like carrying a non-metal knife onto a plane. If you're stopped, major explanation time! Carrying a regular knife, and being "discovered" at least doesn't carry the connotation that you were trying to "sneak one by".

Forgetting all of the "They'll never find it" arguments, let's say that they do. How do you explain carrying a V-Gar?

 

[Attila]

Brian,

As long as i'm in my home state, I DON'T have to explain the V-gar. That's what my CCW is for. If I am in a different state, & am carrying it whist being stopped for something or other, I hand them my drivers license, out of state CCW & various Fraternal Order Of Police cards from my various Leo buddies in differing states. With that done, I am generally on my way within 5 minutes. I've only been stopped like 3 times within 12 years I think & they have all been pleasant.

------------------
Attila

 

[Brian_Turner]

Unfortunately:

a) I don't have any of the various "get out of jail free" cards

you carry

b) The state of IL is more apt to make me a lottery winner than a valid holder of a CCW permit

and finally

c) Even if I did have a CCW card, knives and other implements of personal protection aren't necessarily covered in most states

To be honest, because of training, an interpersonal conflict with bare hands could put me in legal jeopardy (one of my instructors has been this route, and I'll take his word that the legal system can be twisted to focus it's might and fury on anyone for anything).

It's sad that if we prepare ourselves, we become liable to our attacker for their safety, but this is the world we live in. The only good defense is to either totally avoid conflict, or have a good explanation handy for why you had the items that you may have used, and why you used those particular items as opposed to something less "dangerous".

All of my more recent experience with LEOs has been pleasant, but there's always the guy you catch on a bad day, when you forgot what was in your pocket...

 

[MrG]

I've had my neighbor/little sister/co-worker etc. actually HOLD my V-Gar belt and not even know that the Manrikigarrote was inside!

As far as what to call the manrikigarrote, I've called it 'a piece of wire', a carrying strap for my daily planner...even a necklace! I think that unless you're into these types of 'things', the thought that this piece of 'wire' is a weapon is totally out of left field! Oh sure, someone might say "whoa, this could hurt if you got hit with it" but the thought of you actually PRACTICING with it is very foreign to them.
At least that's what I think

And yes...I WANT the leather V-Gar belt! Maybe if I'm a good boy Santa will give me one for Christmas

 

[Attila]

Brian,

Good points! Sorry to hear that CCW isn't an option for you in your home state

The laws for my home state (PA) are kinda cool. Even without a CCW citizens may carry most ANY type knife EXCEPT Autos. As long as it is CONCEALED. Only brandish/use the weapon if you have JUSTIFIABLE cause. I live in a suburban area, about 20 minutes from Philly & out here it is VERY laid back. The LEO's don't have much to do except yell at young kids who hang out in front of convenience stores late at night. I NEVER understood why kiddies did that... What do I know, I only spent the first eighteen years of my life growing up in Manhattan (NYC)... Where the cops have a HELL of a time, let me tell ya!

------------------
Attila

 

[Don Rearic]

My wife is from Illinois...there is no provision for civilian carry of a concealed deadly weapon in that State, whatsoever in fact, New Jersey and Illinois win the awards for having FOI's, "Firearms Owner Identification.... To my knowledge, all of what I said is true.

And I thought my State was bad, well, it is, but not that bad yet.

What to call the V-Gar if caught? Hmmm...I don't they are going to buy the fact that you have a dog leash with a special belt made for it...or pouches, etc., if you kept a small Master Padlock with it, I imagine you could say that you use it to lock up some sort of toolbox at work that does not have a hasp, or a bike or something...I think any other explanation that I can think of...would result in disaster...Cops do not like to be lied to. In fact, you are better off telling them the truth in most cases and in a situation like we envision, you have a better chance of getting off by saying..."Officer I am not a criminal, but it is a dangerous world and we need something..." 'Cause of the cops I know, if you try to B.S. them by saying this thing in this convenient little pouch is some sort of New Age dogleash...you get the idea.

The great idea is to not be seen at all, to be a "little gray person" in life that easily blends into crowds...

 

[Cougar Allen]

YMMV, but I prefer not to put a cop in a position of having to come right out and openly say he's going to let a violation of law pass, however technical that violation might be. Rather than force him to make that choice I prefer to give him the option of pretending not to notice ... without incriminating himself with an explicit statement and taking a risk of getting himself in trouble. It seems a friendlier approach to me. I have had friendly conversations with cops when we both knew perfectly well what we were talking about, and yet the conversation did not incriminate either of us. Understand, I'm not talking about deceiving the guy (not this time) but about giving him an opportunity to choose to be deceived.

Okay, I'll admit it -- it's not only out of courtesy to the cop. My way, if it were to turn out he is not as friendly and rational as I was hoping, I haven't incriminated myself. Hang around a courthouse for an afternoon or two sometime and you'll see one case after another decided, civil and criminal, and durn near all of them because somebody didn't keep his mouth shut....

The reasons for carrying a V-Gar above sound good to me -- and it's such an innocuous looking little thing ... you could say it's a piece of trash you picked up off the sidewalk and put in your pocket to throw in the next trash can you come to, doing your bit to Keep America Beautiful. Seriously, the burden of proof is not on you....

-Cougar Allen :{)