imported post
Something to think about... or an amusing game of "can I spot the concealed carrier"?
Just like a poker player, people who carry a concealed firearm also exhibit "tells." Many are behaviors done without realizing they are happening. However, it must be noted that a "tell" is not proof positive but only an indicator that a gun is probably present. Although several "tells" occurring at the same time or within a short period of time are a very strong indication a gun is being carried. The FBI even has a formal training course for law enforcement concerning this very thing. A short overview of the FBI course can be accessed at the following website:
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2006/march2006/mar06leb.htm#page1
Common sense dictates that if law enforcement entities are aware of these "tells" and use them in identifying people who are likely to be carrying a gun, then criminals are also aware of them, and use them when choosing, or avoiding, likely victims.
Below is a list of some "tells." It is not all inclusive, simply because I don't know all of them.
-Pulling down a shirt or jacket.
-Odd or inappropriate clothing for conditions. Vests/jackets in hot weather for example.
-Fanny packs when pants have plenty of pockets.
-Fanny packs that obviously have something heavy in them.
-One arm kept close to where a holster probably would be. This arm doesn't swing freely with walking motions. Shoulder holsters generally have this "tell" more often than waist holsters because shoulder holsters tend to flop around a bit.
-Hitching up trousers often. There is a reason those pants keep falling down. Could be suspenders are needed or it could be something heavy on the belt or in the pocket keeps dragging them down.
-Exceptionally long pant legs with one leg where the material doesn't "flow" as well as the other when walking. Indication of a possible ankle holster restricting the pant leg's motion.
-Elbow checking gun.
-Belt at an angle. Possible weight pulling it down.
-Sagging pants or jacket pockets.
-Reluctance to remove a jacket when inside a building.
-One arm furtively holding a shirt from riding up when reaching for something.
-Shoulder going up before exiting a car as the gun is either reholstered, checked for positioning, or clothing adjusted.
-Keeping one side of the body at a slight angle away from the person in front of them.
-Sudden "ramping up" of awareness level when a stranger gets too close to the gun side.
-Changing positions to keep one side away when approached by a stranger.
-Swinging wider than necessary to get through a door.
-Taking an advantageous position in a room when there are plenty of other places available.
-Constantly scanning the area showing a high level of awareness and alertness but without any signs of fear.
-Keeping attention on a shady character but without any signs of fear or apprehension.
-A hand goes into a pocket, and stays there, when a shady character is spotted.
-Even how a person walks can be an indicator. Heavy weights on one side cause a slight lean that goes unnoticed by the person carrying.
-Hugging with arms under the other person's arms forcing their arms away from bumping a gun.
-A dull "thud" if something is bumped into.
-General demeanor............... Ever notice the mannerisms and vibes projected by an off duty cop? Concealed carriers have a somewhat similar but lesser degree of confidence and situational awareness that shows.
Let me emphasize that these "tells" are not proof positive that someone is carrying a gun. But they are hints that many of us project to anyone interested enough to look for them. And because we project these "tells" without realizing it our "secret" isn't such a secret after all. What is sobering is the understanding that the most dangerous determined criminal, the very person we carry to protect ourselves from, has a very good chance of figuring out that we are carrying a gun. That means we lost any tactical advantage of surprise a hidden gun provides and also opens the possibility of a criminal "snatching" a concealed gun. After all, if we can get to our gun under a shirt or jacket so can a criminal who knows it is there.
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Now it would be nice if criminals took the time to play that game of "spot the concealed carrier" but most don't. Serious criminals do play that game though. But all criminals, both serious and casual, do notice openly carried guns.
Oh... and I wrote that a long, long, time ago.