Are you glad to see me?
Posted on 02/04/2012 7:20:48 AM PST by marktwain
Self-defense in modern society is about far more than carrying a gun, it's also about developing situational awareness. This means knowing where you are and what's going on around you at all times.
One vital element of situational awareness seldom taught in concealed carry classes is how to spot a concealed handgun. Just as you hope to have the element of surprise if you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you want to avoid being surprised by an armed attacker.
Based on the experience of Robert T. Gallagher, former NYPD detective, Anti-Robbery Tactical Unit, this detailed illustration, titled Spotting a Hidden Handgun, explains some of the visual cues that reveal when someone is carrying a handgun.
You can also use this information to avoid providing others with the same visual cues which may alert them that you are carrying concealed.
My KelTec .32 is so small and light I had to prove to a DPS trooper (ever so slowly and carefully)that I was armed after informing him per the Texas CHL laws during a traffic stop on my Harley. (P)
I cut a small slit in the bottom of my Wrangler’s watch pocket and it stays at the top of my pocket, covered by a t-shirt.
A person wearing 5.11 clothing is also a good sign that they are carrying.
bmfl
Another GOOD aspect of living in Texas, not being surrounded by lib weinies.
They don't mind you packing in the bank?
It looks like the majority of these cues are due to not having a holster at all.
Is anyone familiar with the Smart Holster, sits in front below the belt? I’ve heard claims you can carry a 1911 and sit, drive etc. with no problem.
My problem is I play music in bars and have groupies hugging me all the time. I’m thinking ankle holster with boots or Smart Holster is my only hope.
Exactly. I have carried concealed for the last 20 years. I want those that need to know like cops, criminals and other carriers to know. In my few interactions with police over the years I have seen the officer pause a few seconds while they make the evaluation that I am not a threat. (BTW, not once have I been asked to produce my permit.) I have seen gang bangers look me over and determine that I am a threat. Once I was being followed by some youths on public transit while unarmed (not legal at the time.) I turned to face them and adjusted my phantom shoulder holster and they decided to take another direction.
It's not going to feel very safe when you have to rack the slide with the hand your attacker has already broken, for example.
You want to be careful with those types. There was a wallet holster similar to that which was declared by the NFA/ATF to be an “Any Other Weapon” (AOW) legal only when registered.
I forgot which aspect made it hinky, but Galco (I believe) had to recall a bunch of them, as they were felonies to possess unless registered, like when the old Street Sweepers were declared to be Destructive Devices.
Ed
My understanding is that a business must post a notice outside banning carry.
I rarely go into a bank.
It is a chance I would be willing to take. I am not LE, and am not normally in areas where there are bad guys. Plus, the sound of a round chambering has a very sobering effect on an attacker.
I was a CG reserve watchstander for 14 years (+6 Air Nat. Guard = 20). There were at least 3 weapons incidents in our unit, maybe more during that time frame. Every LE officer has an accidental discharge story to tell. I heard of a local weapons instructor who shot the tipp of his finger off.
I practice at the range chambering without jamming, and I know how to do that with my weapon.
Situational awareness will provide me with the 2 seconds I need to chamber, and with me it's safety first.
Link from article shows no evidence for an ankle holster.
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+1
Are you glad to see me?
I live in an open carry state, and am in and out of three different banks regularly with no problems. The only questions I've ever had were on the order of; 'watcha packin'?'. I do have a CCW, and CC most of the time, but like I said, no problems in banks. Costco on the other hand, asked me to leave the one time I open carried there, and they didn't have any signs at the entrance disallowing firearms.
I've been CC'ing for 20+ years and the best advice I can give is to: a) Use a retension holster. b) Wear it on a belt designed for carrying a gun. Those two things will make the biggest difference. The gun won't flop around, or fall out, and you won't be hand-checking, or adjusting it all the time. If it's secure, you don't think about it. If you don't think about it, you'll forget it's there. If you forget it's there, you don't telegraph that you're carrying.
Personally, I CC a Glock 21 (full size .45) in a Blackhawk Serpa holster, on a 5.11 stiffend nylon gun belt. It rides at 3 o'clock, FBI style (high and canted forward) and no one can tell, even under a light shirt.
Once upon a time I carried an NAA .22LR revolver (mouse gun) folded up in a bandana under my hat.
I gave the gun to a skinny, bow-legged girl I was dating who carried it in a holster between her thighs.
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