Wallet Holsters
I keep meaning to post this and since today I was asked again about the legality of the holster (by a lawyer no less), I figured I better get busy and post this.
This was a response I sent to a customer questioning if the holster is legal or not:
I appreciate you contacting me regarding this.
We’ve had this question/concern raised several times. Each time as in this case, the concerns can be tracked back to “forum gurus”.
The story on the wallet holster and the ATF is a fairly convoluted one as are most ATF involvements.
Early on as reflected on the ATF site you referenced there were several holster makers who offered what was termed a “shoot through” holster. This meant that the majority of the gun was almost permanently hidden inside the holster. The two examples pictured on the ATF site are clear examples of what was deemed AOW.
In 1996 a derringer holster was submitted and declared an AOW. The response from the ATF regarding how to not fall into this category was in part utilized in design of the holster were discussing.
“We would suggest that the redesigned sample no longer resemble a wallet and the modification should include cutting the top rear of the wallet, thereby exposing the entire back strap and trigger guard area of the inserted derringer. The cuts should follow the exact contour of the frame of the pistol and not overlap to risk a disguised appearance.”
The resulting holster complies with all ATF suggestions other than the exposed back strap.
The saving grace as it were for this holster is that the slide is completely exposed. This design does not conceal, disguise or make identification of the firearm impossible.
In 2000 sample holsters were submitted to the ATF and the written ruling indicated that the wallet holster design TDS sells is NOT an AOW device.
No subsequent ruling has been issued reversing the results. The manufacturer has contacted the ATF as recently as this past summer (2010) and the original determination still stands.
I have attached the 2000 ruling and will then find a place to post this information.
In the 2000 version the holster we sell is exhibit 1.
In an unwritten evaluation the holster was described as “in essence an extension of the grip” which is one of the finer points of this holster – its use creates a firing platform which allows the user to fire a “mousegun” as you would a standard size pistol.
Of the holsters sold over the last year a considerable number were sold to LEO. Of those several were sold to ATF field agents who use them daily.
Hopefully this will help in easing your concerns. Its never easy dealing with legalities, the ATF and of course balancing knowledge with opinion and trying to make an informed decision. As I stated in the beginning, I really do appreciate you bringing this question to me and of course appreciate your loyalty to TDS. Without folks like you we’d be nothing.
This was a response I sent to a customer questioning if the holster is legal or not:
I appreciate you contacting me regarding this.
We’ve had this question/concern raised several times. Each time as in this case, the concerns can be tracked back to “forum gurus”.
The story on the wallet holster and the ATF is a fairly convoluted one as are most ATF involvements.
Early on as reflected on the ATF site you referenced there were several holster makers who offered what was termed a “shoot through” holster. This meant that the majority of the gun was almost permanently hidden inside the holster. The two examples pictured on the ATF site are clear examples of what was deemed AOW.
In 1996 a derringer holster was submitted and declared an AOW. The response from the ATF regarding how to not fall into this category was in part utilized in design of the holster were discussing.
“We would suggest that the redesigned sample no longer resemble a wallet and the modification should include cutting the top rear of the wallet, thereby exposing the entire back strap and trigger guard area of the inserted derringer. The cuts should follow the exact contour of the frame of the pistol and not overlap to risk a disguised appearance.”
The resulting holster complies with all ATF suggestions other than the exposed back strap.
The saving grace as it were for this holster is that the slide is completely exposed. This design does not conceal, disguise or make identification of the firearm impossible.
In 2000 sample holsters were submitted to the ATF and the written ruling indicated that the wallet holster design TDS sells is NOT an AOW device.
No subsequent ruling has been issued reversing the results. The manufacturer has contacted the ATF as recently as this past summer (2010) and the original determination still stands.
I have attached the 2000 ruling and will then find a place to post this information.
In the 2000 version the holster we sell is exhibit 1.
In an unwritten evaluation the holster was described as “in essence an extension of the grip” which is one of the finer points of this holster – its use creates a firing platform which allows the user to fire a “mousegun” as you would a standard size pistol.
Of the holsters sold over the last year a considerable number were sold to LEO. Of those several were sold to ATF field agents who use them daily.
Hopefully this will help in easing your concerns. Its never easy dealing with legalities, the ATF and of course balancing knowledge with opinion and trying to make an informed decision. As I stated in the beginning, I really do appreciate you bringing this question to me and of course appreciate your loyalty to TDS. Without folks like you we’d be nothing.
If I recall correctly, AOW refers to weapons that don't look like weapons (cane gun, pen gun) and other Class 3 weapons (short barreled rifle/shotgun). It's nice to know that with this holster my P3AT isn't just "any other weapon"! Not that I thought of the beauty as such before...
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What the concern is with wallet holsters is that they conceal the fact that it is a firearm. If it does its job too well, then it falls into the AOW category. In essence it becomes exactly what your familiar with - something that looks like what it isnt.
Sometimes I wonder how any of us in this business keep all the rules, rulings, laws, and regulations straight............
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