Carrying to/from/at the martial arts school

[skribs113 134]

Based on some recent events at my gym including threats, stalking, harassment, defamation, etc., some of the coaches (including the owner) have become more focused on carrying a firearm for self-defense. I got into concealed carrying back before I joined this forum, but it hasn't been something I do for a very long time. Between working at a government location where carrying was not allowed, and then training martial arts in the evening where carrying in class wasn't an option, it just didn't seem worth it to bother. However, I'd like to do my part in keeping myself and those I care about safe, and I believe starting to carry again might be the right answer.

But that begs the question: how to safely carry to, from, and at the martial arts gym. Obviously I won't have my gun in my gi. But to have it readily available should something happen, but also have it safe from anyone who might get ahold of it. Keep in mind this is not my gym, and therefore I can't just go around and install safety features.

For those in a similar position as me, either school owners or not, how do you (or how have you) carry on a daily basis while still teaching and training martial arts?

 

[isshinryuronin4 4]

Based on some recent events at my gym including threats, stalking, harassment, defamation, etc., some of the coaches (including the owner) have become more focused on carrying a firearm for self-defense.

Wow, this harkens back to the "dojo wars" at the start of the 1970's. Even Ed Parker/his inner circle (according to his wife) carried or worried someone else did for a short time.

 

[skribs113 134]

To be honest, it's not a bad idea to carry. It's just something I hadn't prioritized. Now that I work mainly from home (so the government-office rule doesn't apply), it makes more sense to start.

I do remember when I started at this BJJ gym, one of the guys at my gym (who is now one of the coaches that's carrying, but at the time he was a white belt) was talking to a member who was a police officer, and when this guy mentioned to the police officer that he carried a gun, the cop thanked him for taking an active role in his self-defense.

It's something that's been on my mind for a while, just haven't figured out exactly how to do it, and this situation is the kick in the rear to get me back into carrying and going to the range.

 

[Gyakuto114 123]

I find it unfathomable that you have to live in such an environment. The stress must be overwhelming. Please take care

 

[Gyakuto114 123]

Why conceal your carry? Surely if you had an Uzi 9mm (always say that with an Austrian accent) strapped to your forehead and big knives sticking up from you shoulders etc, the deterrent effect would obviate the need for actual violence? I’ve found that soiling my trousers also keeps people away. Have you considered that? Double incontinence as a form of detergent?

 

[Buka29 3]

We had a secure office in our dojo. (this started back in the eighties) both desks, mine and my partner who ran the business end of the dojo, had a storage bottom drawer in our desks. Since all first responders trained for free, and there were a lot of cops who I trained at the academy, the end of the night when folks went home looked like a TV show.

There was never a problem, a question or a danger, it was the same as putting on your boots to leave the dojo during the cold winter months.

I imagine things are much different now.

 

[skribs113 134]

We had a secure office in our dojo. (this started back in the eighties) both desks, mine and my partner who ran the business end of the dojo, had a storage bottom drawer in our desks. Since all first responders trained for free, and there were a lot of cops who I trained at the academy, the end of the night when folks went home looked like a TV show.

There was never a problem, a question or a danger, it was the same as putting on your boots to leave the dojo during the cold winter months.

I imagine things are much different now.

That's a good idea, and it's something I may bring up. I was just pointing out that it's not my gym so I can't just start installing hardware.

 

[HighKick]

Based on some recent events at my gym including threats, stalking, harassment, defamation, etc., some of the coaches (including the owner) have become more focused on carrying a firearm for self-defense. I got into concealed carrying back before I joined this forum, but it hasn't been something I do for a very long time. Between working at a government location where carrying was not allowed, and then training martial arts in the evening where carrying in class wasn't an option, it just didn't seem worth it to bother. However, I'd like to do my part in keeping myself and those I care about safe, and I believe starting to carry again might be the right answer.

But that begs the question: how to safely carry to, from, and at the martial arts gym. Obviously I won't have my gun in my gi. But to have it readily available should something happen, but also have it safe from anyone who might get ahold of it. Keep in mind this is not my gym, and therefore I can't just go around and install safety features.

For those in a similar position as me, either school owners or not, how do you (or how have you) carry on a daily basis while still teaching and training martial arts?

It varies from state to state. But before anything else, make damn sure you are trained up, practiced, and proficient with your weapon of choice.
In my state, statistics and standard practice says open carry is the best way to carry. Then have your locking case in your gym bag and Lock it in a locker. Always double lock.

 

[jks919986 11]

I'll skip the ton of things ti say about carrying a firearm for the moment and simply sum all.of that up with get good and proper training, covering not just the hows but whens and whys of shooting in self defense, and what to do afterwards.

Sticking to the practical question... start by making sure you know what's legal I your state about transport and storage. Then, get a lockbox for your car. Don't trust gym lockers or the like. And you're not in a position during a class to track a bag.

 

[skribs113 134]

get a lockbox for your car. Don't trust gym lockers or the like. And you're not in a position during a class to track a bag.

The issue is, especially in our case, that doesn't help protect us or the gym while we're in class. Which would be the goal in general, and is even more critical right now with the situation that prompted this discussion.

 

[drop bear114 53]

The issue is, especially in our case, that doesn't help protect us or the gym while we're in class. Which would be the goal in general, and is even more critical right now with the situation that prompted this discussion.

Kids class can't be that bad. Can it?

 

[skribs113 134]

Kids class can't be that bad. Can it?

They call me Mr. Clean...because I'm bald.

 

[Flying Crane]

The issue is, especially in our case, that doesn't help protect us or the gym while we're in class. Which would be the goal in general, and is even more critical right now with the situation that prompted this discussion.

So if there is something “going down” in the right-now, has the gym brought law enforcement event into the picture? Seems if there is a credible and imminent threat, law enforcement intervention should stop it before something bad happens and would be a better solution than everyone arming up and waiting for it to happen.

 

[HighKick]

The issue is, especially in our case, that doesn't help protect us or the gym while we're in class. Which would be the goal in general, and is even more critical right now with the situation that prompted this discussion.

If that is truly the case, it sounds like you need bouncers and armed guards. Not the place I would want to train at.
Drop the other shoe and tell the whole story.

 

[skribs113 134]

So if there is something “going down” in the right-now, has the gym brought law enforcement event into the picture? Seems if there is a credible and imminent threat, law enforcement intervention should stop it before something bad happens and would be a better solution than everyone arming up and waiting for it to happen.

The individual in question is trespassed. That doesn't literally prevent him from showing up if he decides to. It just provides potential consequences if he does.

Assuming that we can only take one action or the other is a really bad take. So is the assumption that the only actions taken are the ones I've overtly stated in this thread. Especially because I've made it painfully obvious I'm not telling the whole story. There's at least 3 blind spots you made for yourself in order to lecture me on how I should do things without answering the question at hand. And people wonder why I don't listen to them?

 

[skribs113 134]

If that is truly the case, it sounds like you need bouncers and armed guards. Not the place I would want to train at.
Drop the other shoe and tell the whole story.

Uh...you mean like the martial artists that are arming ourselves just in case we need to protect ourselves or others at the gym? Hmmm...why didn't we think of that....?

And no, I'm not telling the whole story. Ask ChatGPT to make up a story for you if you're so bored.

 

[Flying Crane]

The individual in question is trespassed. That doesn't literally prevent him from showing up if he decides to. It just provides potential consequences if he does.

Assuming that we can only take one action or the other is a really bad take. So is the assumption that the only actions taken are the ones I've overtly stated in this thread. Especially because I've made it painfully obvious I'm not telling the whole story. There's at least 3 blind spots you made for yourself in order to lecture me on how I should do things without answering the question at hand. And people wonder why I don't listen to them?

I’m not lecturing you Skribs. I asked a question about a point that I don’t think was mentioned yet in the thread (maybe I missed it).

So, never mind. Good luck. Hope nobody gets shot.

 

[jks919986 11]

The issue is, especially in our case, that doesn't help protect us or the gym while we're in class. Which would be the goal in general, and is even more critical right now with the situation that prompted this discussion.

If it's that serious, hire a guard whose sole role is protecting the people, not trying to teach/coach/train and sneak in protecting, too.

 

[jks919986 11]

So if there is something “going down” in the right-now, has the gym brought law enforcement event into the picture? Seems if there is a credible and imminent threat, law enforcement intervention should stop it before something bad happens and would be a better solution than everyone arming up and waiting for it to happen.

Or hire private security to focus on protection rather than try to protect andcoach/train.

 

[jks919986 11]

The individual in question is trespassed. That doesn't literally prevent him from showing up if he decides to. It just provides potential consequences if he does.

Assuming that we can only take one action or the other is a really bad take. So is the assumption that the only actions taken are the ones I've overtly stated in this thread. Especially because I've made it painfully obvious I'm not telling the whole story. There's at least 3 blind spots you made for yourself in order to lecture me on how I should do things without answering the question at hand. And people wonder why I don't listen to them?

The question at hand is how to protect the training hall. The answer to that is not to half *** it.

I am lecturing you because this is what I do professionally. You're trying g to half *** it. Even without the details, you're at a point where someone is trespassed, and you are concerned enough about it to be considering bringing guns into the mix. That's a clue that you need to consult honestly and clearly with a professional who can properly assess the risk and help you develop a plan.

You can't simultaneously coach and guard anymore than you can do BJJ and no touch knockouts. If things are that serious, you need a serious and focused person guarding you.