Patent Publication Number: US-11022402-B1

Title: Printing-reducing strap for use with concealed carry holsters

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to concealed carry holsters for handguns and, more specifically, to straps that can be used with a concealed carry holster in a manner that pulls a handgun into a wearer&#39;s body to reduce the distance the handgun and holster protrude from the wearer&#39;s body. Concealed carry holsters that include such straps are also disclosed, as are methods for wearing concealed carry holsters. 
     RELATED ART 
     Concealed carry holsters are typically designed to enable a wearer to secure a handgun to his or her body in a manner that enables the wearer to readily access the handgun while hiding the handgun, or concealing it from view. Concealed carry holsters are often made to arrange a handgun and any associated hardware (e.g., magazines, cartridges, etc.) on the wearer&#39;s body with a minimal profile to reduce the potential visibility of the handgun and any associated hardware beneath the wearer&#39;s clothes, or the “printing” of these items onto the wearer&#39;s clothes. 
     A variety of concealed carry holsters are configured to be worn around an individual&#39;s waist, beneath the waistband of his or her pants, shorts, skirt, or other lower body covering, or “bottoms.” These types of concealed carry holsters have also been referred to as a “concealed carry waist holster” or as a “CCW holster.” Such a concealed carry holster typically includes a waistband that is made to extend completely around the wearer&#39;s waist and to securely fasten a holster body in place adjacent to the wearer&#39;s lower abdomen and or hip. The waistband of such a concealed carry holster is typically designed for comfort. The holster body of such a concealed carry holster, including the handgun receptacle and any pockets of the holster body, is often designed to receive a handgun and, optionally, additional cartridges, magazines, or other hardware in a manner that minimizes protrusion of the body of the concealed carry holster, the handgun carried by the handgun receptacle of the concealed carry holster, and any other hardware carried by the concealed carry holster and, thus, printing of these items onto the wearer&#39;s clothes. 
     Conventionally, concealed carry holsters with waistbands that extend around a wearer&#39;s waist hold a handgun and any other hardware against the wearer&#39;s body while pushing the wearer&#39;s waistband away from his or her body. While concealed carry holsters with such conventional designs provide the overall effect of minimizing protrusion of the hardware and, thus, printing of the hardware onto the wearer&#39;s clothes, they can have a tendency to indiscriminately tighten the waistband of his or her pants and indiscriminately force the hardware against his or her body, including the lower abdomen and/or hips, which may create uncomfortable—even painful—pressure points against the wearer&#39;s body. 
     SUMMARY 
     A strap according to this disclosure is capable of adjusting a concealed carry holster to control the manner in which a handgun and, optionally, other hardware (e.g., one or more magazines, etc.) is forced toward, or pulled into, a wearer&#39;s body. Thus, the strap may enable the wearer to reduce printing of the concealed carry holster and the hardware it carries while maximizing comfort. Accordingly, a strap according to this disclosure may be referred to as a “printing-reducing strap.” 
     In various embodiments, a printing-reducing strap may have a configuration that enables it to extend laterally or rearwardly along a concealed carry holster, from a handgun receptacle of a holster body of the concealed carry holster to a portion of a waistband adjacent to (e.g., lateral to, to the rear of, etc.) the handgun receptacle. The printing-reducing strap may extend between the handgun receptacle and the adjacent portion of the waistband in any of a variety of different arrangements, which may enable a wearer to adjust and tailor the extent to which (i.e., the force with which) a handgun in the handgun receptacle, along with any other hardware carried by the holster body, is pulled into his or her body, as well as the angle at which the handgun and any other hardware is pulled relative to the waistband of the concealed carry holster. 
     A printing-reducing strap may include an elongated element including a body with opposite first and second ends. A first end of the printing-reducing strap or, more specifically, a first holster-engaging feature of the first end of the printing-reducing strap is capable of engaging an exterior of a handgun receptacle or another feature of a holster body of a concealed carry holster. Thus, the first end of the printing-reducing strap may be referred to as a “holster body-engaging end” of the printing-reducing strap. In some embodiments, the holster body-engaging end of the printing-reducing strap can engage the handgun receptacle at any of a variety of locations on the holster body. The holster body-engaging end of the printing-reducing strap may have a configuration that enables it to orient the body of the printing-reducing strap in a variety of different orientations relative to the handgun receptacle and/or the holster body of which the handgun receptacle is a part. 
     A second end of the printing-reducing strap may be capable of engaging a waistband of the concealed carry holster and may, therefore, be referred to as a “waistband-engaging end” of the printing-reducing strap. The waistband-engaging end of the printing-reducing strap or, more specifically, a second holster-engaging feature of the waistband engaging end of the printing-reducing strap may be capable of engaging a portion of the waistband adjacent to (e.g., lateral to, to the rear of, etc.) the handgun receptacle of the holster body of the concealed carry holster at any of a variety of locations along a length of that portion of the waistband. The holster body-engaging end of the printing-reducing strap may have a configuration that enables it to orient the body of the printing-reducing strap in a variety of different orientations relative to the portion of the waistband to which the holster body-engaging end is secured. 
     In some embodiments, a body of the printing-reducing strap may be capable of storing one or more items. Without limitation, the body of the print-reducing strap may include a pair of superimposed elements that are secured together at the holster body-engaging end and the waistband-engaging end, but that may be moved apart from one another at one or more locations between the holster body-engaging end and the waistband-engaging end. Such an arrangement may enable the body of the print-reducing strap to receive and/or to be engaged by one or more items. 
     In some embodiments, a printing-reducing strap may comprise the elongated body, the first holster-engaging feature of the holster body-engaging end (i.e., the first end) of the elongated body, and the second holster-engaging feature of the waistband-engaging end (i.e., the second end) of the elongated body, as well as any of a variety of other features. In other embodiments, a printing-reducing strap may consist essentially of the elongated body, the first holster-engaging feature, and the second holster-engaging feature, with other feature being non-essential. In still other embodiments, a printing-reducing strap may consist of the elongated body, the first holster-engaging feature, and the second holster-engaging feature. 
     Another aspect of this disclosure includes strap-engaging features that enable a printing-reducing strap to be arranged relative to and secured between a handgun receptacle of a holster body of a concealed carry holster and a waistband of the concealed carry holster. A first strap-engaging feature may be positioned on the handgun receptacle and be capable of engaging and/or being engaged by the holster body-engaging end of the printing-reducing strap in a manner that enables the holster body-engaging end to be oriented and secured in place relative to the handgun receptacle. The first strap-engaging feature may be secured to the handgun receptacle or it may comprise part of the handgun receptacle. 
     A second strap-engaging feature may be positioned on a portion of the waistband of the concealed carry holster at a location adjacent to (e.g., lateral to, to the rear of, etc.) the handgun receptacle of the holster body of the concealed carry holster. The second strap-engaging feature may be capable of engaging and/or being engaged by the waistband-engaging end of the printing reducing strap in a manner that enables the waistband-engaging end of the printing-reducing strap to be oriented and secured in place relative to the waistband of the concealed carry holster. The second strap-engaging feature may be secured to the waistband or comprise part of the waistband. 
     Embodiments of concealed carry holsters that include printing-reducing straps and complementary first and second strap-engaging features are also within the scope of this disclosure. 
     A method for concealed carrying of handgun may include tailoring the manner in which a concealed carry holster pulls a handgun into a wearer&#39;s body. Such a method includes pulling a handgun receptacle of a holster body of a concealed carry holster and a handgun therein in a direction and to an extent into the wearer&#39;s body that will comfortably reduce printing of the handgun onto the wearer&#39;s clothing; i.e., reducing printing without creating pressure points that are painful to or otherwise uncomfortable for the wearer. In various embodiments, a printing-reducing strap may be oriented and secured between the handgun receptacle and the waistband of the concealed carry holster, with an angle of the printing-reducing strap relative to the waistband defining the direction the handgun receptacle and the handgun are pulled into the wearer&#39;s body, as well as part(s) of the handgun that is (are) pulled into the wearer&#39;s body and the location(s) of the wearer&#39;s body into which that (those) part(s) of the handgun is (are) pulled. The amount of tension in the printing-reducing strap may define the extent to which, or the force with which, the handgun is pulled into the wearer&#39;s body and, thus, the pressure applied to the location(s) of the wearer&#39;s body into which one or more parts of the handgun are pulled. If uncomfortable pressure points develop, the orientation of the printing-reducing strap relative to the handgun receptacle and the waistband and/or the tension in the printing-reducing strap may be adjusted to provide further comfort. 
     Notably, a printing-reducing strap according to this disclosure may be used with a concealed carry holster in a manner that comfortably reduces printing while also reducing the force applied outwardly by the concealed carry holster, the handgun, and/or any additional hardware on the waistband of the wearer&#39;s pants, shorts, skirt, or other lower body covering, or bottoms. By reducing the outward force on the waistband of the wearer&#39;s clothes, the potential pressure points caused by the waistband around the wearer&#39;s waist may also be reduced. 
     Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the preceding summary, the foregoing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an orthogonal view of an embodiment of a printing-reducing strap according to this disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the printing-reducing strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the printing-reducing strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top edge view of the printing-reducing strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top edge view showing a body of the printing-reducing strap in a somewhat open arrangement; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom edge view of the printing-reducing strap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a concealed carry holster capable of use with a printing-reducing strap of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a first example of an orientation of a printing-reducing strap on a concealed carry holster; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a second example of an orientation of a printing-reducing strap on a concealed carry holster; 
         FIG. 10  shows a third example of an orientation of a printing-reducing strap on a concealed carry holster; and 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  provide schematic representations of the manner in which a printing-reducing strap minimizes printing of a handgun carried by a concealed carry holster onto clothing worn by an individual. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an embodiment of a printing-reducing strap  10  that may be used with various embodiments of concealed carry holsters (not shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ). The printing-reducing strap  10  may be used with embodiments of concealed carry holsters that include waistbands (not shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ). A concealed carry holster with a waistband may be capable of positioning and securing a holster body (not shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ) and, thus, a handgun (not shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ) at a desired location around a wearer&#39;s waist (e.g., in front of his or her lower abdomen and/or hip, adjacent to his or her hip, etc.), beneath the wearer&#39;s clothes. 
     As illustrated by  FIGS. 1-6 , a printing-reducing strap  10  may include an elongated body  12 , a first end  14  and a second end  16 , with the first end  14  and the second end  16  comprising opposite ends of the elongated body  12 . The elongated body  12  may define an outwardly facing surface of the printing-reducing strap  10 ; i.e., a surface of the printing-reducing strap  10  that is to be oriented away from the concealed carry holster and the wearer of a concealed carry holster, as well an inwardly facing surface of the printing-reducing strap  10 ; i.e., a surface of the printing-reducing strap  10  that is to be oriented toward the concealed carry holster and the wearer of the concealed carry holster. The outwardly facing surface of the printing-reducing strap  10  may be referred to as a front surface  22  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . The inwardly facing surface of the printing-reducing strap  10  may be referred to as a rear surface  32  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . In addition to the elongated body  12 , the printing-reducing strap  10  includes a first holster-engaging feature  44  and a second holster-engaging feature  46 . 
     The elongated body  12  of the printing-reducing strap  10  may be formed from an elastic material. Without limitation, the elongated body  12  may comprise a webbing formed from a woven elastic fabric (e.g., a blend of cotton and/or polyester with spandex or elastane, etc.). The elongated body  12  may comprise a single member. Alternatively, the elongated body  12  may comprise two or more superimposed members, such as the outer member  20  and the inner member  30  shown in  FIG. 5 . An outwardly facing surface of the outer member  20  may comprise the front surface  22  of the printing-reducing strap. An outwardly facing surface of the inner member  30  may comprise the rear surface  32  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . 
     In the specific, but nonlimiting, embodiment of elongated body  12  depicted by  FIG. 5 , a first end  24  of the outer member  20  of the elongated body  12  and a first end  34  of the inner member  30  of the elongated body  12  may be secured together to define the first end  14  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . As an example, the first end  24  of the outer member  20  and the first end  34  of the inner member  30  may be held together by way of stitching  25 , such as that shown in  FIG. 2 . Likewise, a second end  26  of the outer member  20  and a second end  36  of the inner member  30  may be secured together to define the second end  16  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . By way of example, the second end  26  of the outer member  20  and the second end  36  of the inner member  30  may be secured to each other with stitching  27 , as illustrated by  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, other suitable techniques, such as adhesive materials, thermal bonding techniques, and mechanical fasteners (rivets, buttons/button holes, etc.), may be used to secure corresponding ends of the outer member  20  and the inner member  30  together. 
     While corresponding ends of the outer member  20  and the inner member  30  of the elongated body  12  may be secured to each other, one or more intermediate locations  28  and  38  of the outer member  20  and the inner member  30 , respectively, may remain at least partially unsecured, enabling the outer member  20  and the inner member  30  to be at least partially spaced apart, or moved apart from one another, at these locations. Thus, one or more receptacles  29  may be defined between the intermediate locations  28  of the outer member  20  and the intermediate locations  38  of the inner member  30  of the elongated body  12  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . Each receptacle  29  may comprise a pass-through with two open ends, as shown in  FIG. 5 , or a close-ended pocket. Thus, each receptacle  29  may be capable of receiving one or more items and/or engaging or being engaged by one or more items. 
     The elongated body  12  may have any suitable dimensions, provided that a length of the elongated body  12  enables it to be secured to a holster body (e.g., a handgun receptacle of a holster body, etc.) (not shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ), traverse a boundary between the holster body and a waistband of a concealed carry holster (not shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ), and be secured to the waistband. Such a length may be about 3 inches or greater (e.g., a length of about 4 inches, about 5 inches, about 6 inches, any length of up to 12 inches, etc.). In a specific embodiment, the elongated body may have a length of about 4 inches (e.g., 4¼ inches, 4½ inches, etc.) and a height of about 2 inches. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the first holster-engaging feature  44  and the second holster-engaging feature  46  of the printing reducing strap  10  may be accessible from (e.g., secured to, etc.) the rear surface  32  of the printing-reducing strap  10 , with the first holster-engaging feature  44  at the first end  14  of the printing-reducing strap  10  and the second holster-engaging feature  46  at the second end  16  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . In a specific embodiment, each of the first holster-engaging feature  44  and the second holster-engaging feature  46  may comprise a fastener of a known type, such as a member of a hook and loop type fastener (e.g., a member of a VELCRO® hook and loop fastener, etc.), a member of a hook and hook type fastener (e.g., a member of a VELCRO® hook and hook fastener, etc.), or the like. Even more specifically, as depicted, the first holster-engaging feature  44  may comprise the hooks side of a hook and loop type fastener and the second holster-engaging feature  46  may comprise the loops side of a hook and loop type fastener. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , an embodiment of a concealed carry holster  50  is depicted. The concealed carry holster  50  is capable of use with a printing-reducing strap  10  according to this disclosure. As illustrated, the concealed carry holster  50  comprises a CCW holster with a waistband  60  and a holster body  70 . More specifically, the concealed carry holster  50  depicted by  FIG. 7  is a so-called appendix holster, which is configured to be carried over a wearer&#39;s lower abdomen (e.g., at a location from about 10:00 to about 2:00). 
     The waistband  60  of the concealed carry holster  50  is capable of being worn around an individual&#39;s waist, and may be worn comfortably over his or her undergarments or next to his or her skin. The waistband  60  may be adjustable. The waistband  60  may be at least partially elastic; it may comprise an elastic material or include one or more sections that may resiliently stretch. The waistband  60  carries the holster body  70 . 
     In some embodiments, a location of the holster body  70  along the waistband  60  may be fixed. For example, ends of the waistband  60  may be secured (e.g., sewn, bonded, etc.) to opposite sides of the holster body  70  or, more specifically, to ends of a backing  72  of the holster body  70 . Alternatively, the waistband  60  may extend through one or more features of the holster body  70  or its backing  72 , which may enable the holster body  70  to slide along at least a portion of a length of the waistband  60 . 
     The backing  72  of the holster body  70  may carry a handgun receptacle  74  capable of carrying a handgun in a desired orientation. In the depicted embodiment, the handgun receptacle  74  may be formed from a pliable fabric. Additionally, the handgun receptacle  74  may be made from an elastic fabric, which may enable the handgun receptacle  74  to securely receive and even engage a handgun placed therein. 
     The handgun receptacle  74  may be configured similarly to the handgun receptacle of the concealed carry holster disclosed by U.S. Design Pat. U.S. D761,553 S, issued Jul. 19, 2016 (“the &#39;553 Design Patent”), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. The handgun receptacle disclosed by the &#39;553 Design Patent includes stitching  75  that limits movement of the trigger guard of a handgun and, thus, at least partially dictates an orientation of a handgun within the handgun receptacle  74 . More specifically, the stitching  75  helps orient the handgun and its grip in a manner that optimizes the wearer&#39;s ability to grasp the grip of the handgun and remove the handgun from the handgun receptacle  74  and the speed with which the wearer may grasp the grip of the handgun and remove the handgun from the handgun receptacle  74 . 
     Optionally, the backing  72  of the holster body  70  may carry, and the holster body  70  may include, one or more pockets  78  or other features for carrying, engaging, or being engaged by one or more additional items (e.g., cartridges, one or more magazines, other hardware, a concealed carry permit, etc.). Any pockets  78  or other feature may be formed from the same types of materials that may be used to define the handgun receptacle  74 . 
     A first strap-engaging feature  76  of the concealed carry holster  50  may be located on an outer surface of the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70 . The first strap-engaging feature  76  may have any suitable structure and/or features that complement (e.g., may engage, be engaged by, etc.) the first holster-engaging feature  44  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) of the printing-reducing strap  10  ( FIGS. 1-6 ). In the nonlimiting embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 7 , the first strap-engaging feature  76  comprises a loops side of a hook and loop type fastener, which may complement the hooks side embodiment of the first holster-engaging feature  44  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . The first strap-engaging feature  76  may be capable of receiving the first holster-engaging feature  44  at a plurality of locations along the height of the handgun receptacle  74  (i.e., at a plurality of vertical locations), which may enable a wearer to at least partially tailor the angle at which the printing-reducing strap  10  is oriented relative to the waistband  60  and, thus, tailor the direction in which the printing-reducing strap  10  pulls a handgun (including its grip) into the wearer&#39;s body. 
     A second strap-engaging feature  66  of the concealed carry holster  52  may be located on a portion of the waistband  60  located adjacent to (e.g., lateral to, to the rear of, etc.) the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70 . The second strap-engaging feature  66  may have any suitable structure and/or features that complement (e.g., may engage, be engaged by, etc.) the second holster-engaging feature  46  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) of the printing-reducing strap  10  ( FIGS. 1-6 ). In the nonlimiting embodiment depicted by  FIG. 7 , the second strap-engaging feature  66  comprises a hooks side of a hood and loop type fastener, which may complement the loops side embodiment of the second holster-engaging feature  46  of the printing-reducing strap  10 . The second strap-engaging feature  66  may becapable of receiving the second holster-engaging feature  46  at a plurality of locations along the length of the portion of the waistband  60  located closest to the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70  (i.e., at a plurality of horizontal locations), which may enable a wearer to tailor tension in the printing-reducing strap  10  and, thus, tailor the force with which the printing-reducing strap  10  pulls the handgun (including its grip) into his or her body. A location at which the second holster-engaging feature  46  of the printing-reducing strap  10  is secured to the second strap-engaging feature  66  along the length of the portion of the waistband  60  located closest to the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70  may also enable the wearer to at least partially tailor the angle at which the printing-reducing strap  10  is oriented relative to the waistband  60  and, thus, further tailor the direction in which the printing-reducing strap  10  pulls a handgun (including its grip), into his or her body. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , a few examples of the manner in which a printing-reducing strap  10  may be secured between a holster body  70  and a waistband  60  of a concealed carry holster  50  are depicted. More specifically,  FIGS. 8-10  depict examples in of the manner in which a first holster-engaging feature  44  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) on the first end  14  of a printing-reducing strap  10  engages a first strap-engaging feature  76  on a handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70  and a second holster-engaging feature  46  on the second end  16  of the printing-reducing strap  10  engages a second strap-engaging feature  66  on the waistband  60 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the first holster-engaging feature  44  and, thus, the first end  14  of the printing-reducing strap  10  are positioned relatively high along the first strap-engaging feature  76  and the handgun receptacle  74 . The second holster-engaging feature  46  secures the second end  16  of the printing-reducing strap  10  to the second strap-engaging feature  66  at a location along the waistband  60  that is relatively close to the holster body  70 . This arrangement orients the printing-reducing strap  10  at a shallow angle (closer to 180° than to 135°) to the waistband  60 , with relatively light tension in the printing-reducing strap  10 . Thus, the printing-reducing strap  10  may pull a handgun within the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70  lightly into the body of an individual wearing the concealed carry holster  50 , at a location that is primarily lateral to and/or behind a grip of the handgun. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an arrangement in which the first holster-engaging feature  44  secures the first end  14  of the printing-reducing strap  10  near the bottom of the first strap-engaging feature  76  and a little farther than midway down the height of the handgun receptacle  74 . The second holster-engaging feature  46  secures the second end  16  of the printing-reducing strap  10  to the second strap-engaging feature  66  at a location along the waistband  60  that is relatively close to the holster body  70 . This arrangement orients the printing-reducing strap  10  at a steep angle (much closer to 135° than 180°) to the waistband  60 , with relatively light tension in the printing-reducing strap  10 . Thus, the printing-reducing strap  10  may pull a handgun within the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70  lightly into the body of an individual wearing the concealed carry holster  50 , at a location that is both upward and lateral to and/or behind a grip of the handgun. 
     In the arrangement of the printing-reducing strap  10  depicted by  FIG. 10 , the first holster-engaging feature  44  secures the first end  14  of the printing-reducing strap  10  midway along the height of the first strap-engaging feature  76  and about midway down the height of the handgun receptacle  74 . The second holster-engaging feature  46  secures the second end  16  of the printing-reducing strap  10  to the second strap-engaging feature  66  at a location along the waistband  60  that is relatively close to the holster body  70 . This arrangement orients the printing-reducing strap  10  at an intermediate angle (about midway between 135° and 180°) to the waistband  60 , with relatively high tension in the printing-reducing strap  10 . Thus, the printing-reducing strap  10  may pull a handgun within the handgun receptacle  74  of the holster body  70  firmly into the body of an individual wearing the concealed carry holster  50 , at a location that is slightly upward and lateral to and/or behind a grip of the handgun. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  depict an embodiment of the manner in which a printing-reducing strap  10  may function with a concealed carry holster  50  to pull a handgun G into a wearer&#39;s body B to reducing printing of the handgun G, the concealed carry holster  50 , and any other hardware carried by the concealed carry holster  50 .  FIG. 11  provides a representation of the manner in which a concealed carry holster  50 , which includes a waistband  60  and a holster body  70 , holds a handgun G close to the wearer&#39;s body B. Notably, despite the low profile of the holster body  70 , the handgun G still protrudes somewhat, which may result in printing of the handgun G on the wearer&#39;s clothing. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates use of the concealed carry holster  50  with a printing-reducing strap  10  according to this disclosure. The printing-reducing strap may be secured between the holster body  70  and the waistband  60  (e.g., as shown in and described in reference to  FIGS. 8-10 , etc.), pulling the holster body  70  and the handgun G carried thereby into the wearer&#39;s body B, reducing any printing of the handgun G, the holster body  70 , and any other items carried by the holster body  70  on the wearer&#39;s clothing. The direction in which the holster body  70 , the handgun G, etc., are pulled and the extent to which they are pulled may be tailored by the wearer to both optimize comfort and provide a desired reduction in printing and, thus, maximized concealment of the handgun G beneath the wearer&#39;s clothing. 
     Although this disclosure provides many specifics, the specifics should not be construed as limiting the scope of any appended claim, but merely as providing information pertinent to some specific embodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. In addition, the scope of each appended claim may encompass other embodiments. All additions to, deletions from, and modifications of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.