As you know, Wisconsin just got the CCW provision. I already have my carry EDCs worked out, and a proper holster Iive used +30 years. I will have worked out all of the teething problems long before bike season starts. My concern is that I will now be living as an "armed biker" in an increasingly fraidy-cat world.

Case in point, I have a CZ 83 which thumb snaps securely into a Bianchi Ranger kidney holster. It rides high, and Wisconsin also has had open carry for a number of months, even in the cities.

Here's a concern as an example, as I ride, my jacket might ride up. In extreme cases the bottom lip of the holster might show--although my favorite jacket has an ample rear design.

I have a working rep with all county law enforcement, I carry tons of ID and the CCW license, I am not (to my knowledge) under investigation (at this time), there are no BOLOs on me or my vehicles and I now have clearly defined state contitutional protect. Seems like a slam-dunk, right?

Yikes, I'm a bit too old to "assume the postion" on the fender of a squad-rod because some Trooper is bored. Last year a Dane County Sheriff and friend pulled me over when I stopped on the apron of an off-ramp to blow my nose. He mentioned my 'spirited' acceleration in a few spots, and sometimes this is an excuse given for a Terry Stop.

Some of you guys have more experience since you've carried for a longer time. Any advice?

Shoulder holster

Not an option.

For one, I dislike them. In the late 1970s I wore a 1911 in a Jackass rig. You could carry at work legally with the permission of your employer. I was a bill collector. I disliked the weight, and the way the straps pulled despite repeated adjustments. Oh, it sure looked cool when Sonny Crockett wore the same rig on 'Miami Vice.' My guess is that he got to take his off between takes, while I wore one all day.

I did switch over to a right-side kidney holster for both a Colt Officers ACP and a Detonics. Better.

However, now my jacket is on and off, I strip down at the gym, I ride, I sit in coffee bars, yada yada. My guess is that I'll lug the CZ on the road, but switch over to the SW 642 when walking around for the sake of comfort and ease.

I always carried, it was the job. I'm retired now. I know that carrying should be a comfort, not comfortable. And as in most states, guys get their license and carry for a few weeks until the novelty wears off and the pistol gets left on the end table. That's also not an option, as it appears that Chicago's problems have found their way up the Interstate to Madison.

BTW, I hate those five-shot HKS speed loaders for J-frames. I use them, but I hate them. A CZ and a spare magazine are 1/2 a box of ammunition. One less thing to worry about. Thanks for the response.

I have a couple of very long flannel shirts...
I just don't "tuck" in, might work

Well, there are things that scream, "Gun!" For example, neatly trimmed guys with their tails out. Rough-tough guys with fanny packs. Long coats in the middle of summer.

I guess my question touches more on the pragmatism of carrying. Most bike jackets are waistcoats. I wear my tails "in." I do have a new small belt pouch, and they have become popular here, which makes me think, "gun." And we have as many months with coats as we do without.

The crux is that a pistol does you no good if you keep leaving it at home. This is one of the reasons I always check my pockets for a knife before I leave for the day. I try to keep "good habits" as well as losing the bad ones. When I got paid to carry at work, I used a holster. It was more secure. Now that I'm looking for more of the hassle free convenience issue, I'm tempted to just stuff a SW 642 revolver in the nearest pocket.

My bike jackets have zippered pockets, it might be the best idea when riding. My point is that I am still pondering the issue, and bikers in other states might have gone through the same concerns and found a really good answer.

After several days of carrying the 642 in the fanny pack I'm finding both the good and the bad of that decision.

First, it looks dorky and out of place. While I care less and less as the time passes, I'm noticing fanny packs showing up where none appeared before. It's clear many more citizens in this liberal state are carrying. As I stated elsewhere, in a small coffee bar there were three of us carrying amid perhaps twenty patrons.

The good thing is that I can quickly attach or detach the fanny pack depending how my day changes. There has always been locker thefts at our gym. I never take anything--except a good knife--into that place, not even small amounts of money. I can easily lock the gun in my truck in a moment's notice.

I have done some cursory searching for a decent holster, and due to the hammerless design of the 642--the thing that makes it easy to draw and safe to carry--does not lend it for the traditional thumb-break. Kydex is loud and a stiff poke in the kidney during carry, ankle holsters are slow, shoulder holsters are confining and need a jacket, and the coats I do have with secure front pockets are riding jackets. Obviously it will be a short time until riding season, and I can suffer through the fanny pack until then.

Well, a concealed handgun should be comforting not comfortable, and this model proves the point. And considering the alternatives, I'd rather have folks say, "Look at the funny clothes on the biker!" rather then, "Hey, look at the dead biker."

Like any new procedure or bike modification, this will take some time.

Speaking of concealed carry, an interesting debate is brewing.

While the provision is now in effect, and the transition has been peaceful, the liberals are still crowing about it being dangerous. The backlash to their rebuttal is odd, but deserved.

Guys who carry, as I do, are reminded that we are not sworn officers and have no obligation under our law to interfere. Another pro-gun letter appeared in our local newspaper today, with the writer pointing out this seeming obvious ripple. We are not responsible for the public at large, only ourselves.

I wasn't so kind in my letter. Frankly, if a non-permit liberal is being assaulted, all I have to do is gather up my wife, withdraw to a safer area and dial 911. Which I will do. I ended my letter stating this. Why should I endanger my life to save theirs?

I'm big on brotherhood because it's a trust that 'most often' will be returned. I'm not to keen on the new guys, however. But if a liberal disarms himself and then tries to pass legislation to disarm me, why would I help him? By any definition, he's not my brother. Truth be told, he doesn't even support the Constitution unless it serves his purpose.

Perhaps watching me and my obvious fanny pack turn my back and dooming him to rehabilitation might be the best lesson these guys can learn.

I settled on my overall idea of living with carrying a handgun.

When it comes to my CZ 83, I'm going to stick with my right-kidney Bianchi Ranger holster. It will provide secure, effortless carry when I'm riding. (If Terry Tussey builds me a Colt Defender I don't know what I'm going to do--yet.)

However, for just walking around, I'll have to remove my coat periodically. For that, I'll stick with the 642.

In that regard, I just bought an Uncle Mikes Number 4 Pocket Holster. It covers the trigger, it can be slid into numerous carrying methods and has no clip to get into the way. I can now slip the revolver into anything, from a fanny pack, to the bigger inside pockets of a Harley jean jacket and even some more roomier pockets of blue jeans.

I've used the pocket holster for a few days now, and it works. For example, I had to go to our local pharmacy yesterday, and they have the place posted. I simply returned to my truck, slid holster out of my jacket and into the fanny pack and returned.

BTW, Wisconsin law dictates that you only have to leave the premises if the owner mandates that you do. In reality, you can enter armed. I feel this way. I go to certain places for my benefit. If I have the choice, I will reward the place that understands firearms and allows carry. I will boycott any place that doesn't.

Notice my preface of "if I have the choice." I still have to go to places like pharmacies, police stations, post offices (and since my wife still teaches part-time) even schools on rare occasions. You can stand on your rights or be a jerk.

I'm not too worried, anyway. I'm more dangerous with a knife anyway, and like most things, you weigh the odds before action. Some of us wear helmets and some don't.

Come to Arizona. No gun laws here.

I wish I could. Warmer weather, no gun laws and I have a touch of hay fever. These Wisconsin winters are getting too cold for my taste as I get older, and I've lived here my whole life.

My wife still works here part-time, most of my clients are here, and I want the housing market to stabilize. Don't worry, you'll get your chance to throw me out of your state sometime in the future...