Question for you CCW folks??????

104RFAST

I've been carrying off and on for more than 20 yrs, lately, more often than not! One of the things I find myself
doing lately is trying to identify those around me as possible CCW. I haven't had much success looking for
other people's guns. Ether they are good at concealment ( that's the goal ) or I'am not very astute at identifying
them. Checking people out for possible CCW is something new to me and I don't know why I started doing it, I
guess you guys are getting to me!! Do you do this or am I going nutttttts, if so, have you ever identified a CCW.

SirGeorgeKillian

Yup. Out of habit from work more so than because I carry. On EMS calls, I don't like surprises. If done properly, CCW can be hard to detect.

knitepoet

SirGeorgeKillian wrote: »

Yup. Out of habit from work more so than because I carry. On EMS calls, I don't like surprises. If done properly, CCW can be hard to detect.

:that:
Plus I like seeing if I can spot folks that are carrying just for fun, especially if they're wearing what I call a "shoot me first" shirt or hat.
And yes, I've spotted quite a few over the years

Fisheadgib

Considering how easy it is to get a permit in Florida, and when I took my class years ago there were people from all walks of life in the class making it almost impossible to profile as to what type of person would be likely to carry, I just assume that almost everyone is carrying. It's safer than assuming they're not.

BigDanS

Fisheadgib wrote: »

Considering how easy it is to get a permit in Florida, and when I took my class years ago there were people from all walks of life in the class making it almost impossible to profile as to what type of person would be likely to carry, I just assume that almost everyone is carrying. It's safer than assuming they're not.

+1

D

wddodge

The easiest way for me to spot one is to watch for people "adjusting" something. Most people need to learn to keep their hands away from what they are trying to hide.

Denny

mythaeus

I posted links to several articles when we had a discussion on using holster and FBI studies (http://forums.gunsandammo.com/showthread.php?3372-The-FBI-backs-me-up-USE-A-HOLSTER!&p=60371&viewfull=1#post60371) . The first link in the post is to the most recent article which summarizes behaviors of people who carry and how to spot them. A lot of it deals with criminal carry, but really those are the people I'm most concerned about. Here's the bulletin with the article: http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/2006-pdfs/mar06leb.pdf

Al

Make_My_Day

I have never bothered doing this, but maybe I should.

Jayhawker

The most common "tell" for me usually occurs with those new to carrying concealed...they seem to be constantly patting themselves down and adjusting...particularly when they first get out of a car...Then of course there is the ubiquitous "photographers vest" which just screams "I'm packin"!!!"

NN

I did, but, don't bother anymore.

mythaeus

Here's another article that actually does a much better job with identifying law abiding carriers and goes more extensively into behaviors:

Dealing with citizens legally carrying a concealed weapon
http://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/articles/2144601-Dealing-with-citizens-legally-carrying-a-concealed-weapon/

Al

Mr.F

I won't carry 6 o'clock / small of the back due to how many people I have spotted printing drasticly or worse yet the shirt riding up over the firearm & exposing it for all to see or grab from you .

bisley

I've rarely looked for CCWs, but I've always assessed the people that come close to me that don't obviously fit any of my stereotypes for 'safe people.' Anyone who looks like they could be dressing oddly to accommodate a weapon gets a few more glances than the 'safe people.'

mythaeus

Mr.F wrote: »

I won't carry 6 o'clock / small of the back due to how many people I have spotted printing drasticly or worse yet the shirt riding up over the firearm & exposing it for all to see or grab from you .

Holy crap! You're back!!! :hug:

:beer:
Al

samzhere

Never actually spotted anyone carrying. I did notice the slight bulge with a couple of pals but that was after I already knew they were armed. I don't think I would have noticed otherwise. But I also don't look at guys that often, more likely focused on the chicks, ha ha.

LMLarsen

I don't go out of my way to look for who might be carrying, but I've often spotted people who do so. And I admit, when I first started carrying concealed, I thought the entire world was watching me! But that quickly passed, and it soon became second nature.

DoctorWho

There are so many different types of LEOs out there, if you started swinging a dead cat around, chances are good you might crack a LEO in the haid with it at some point...... :jester:

Slanteyedshootist

samzhere wrote: »

Never actually spotted anyone carrying. I did notice the slight bulge with a couple of pals but that was after I already knew they were armed. I don't think I would have noticed otherwise. But I also don't look at guys that often, more likely focused on the chicks, ha ha.

I agree, much more interesting "bulges".

Jet pilot

If you see me, I am packing.
I wear an NRA, Glock or Gadsden ball cap with a vest so that CCW brothers and sisters like you do not have to guess. We are all members of a noble gang/fraternity. Wear your colors :-0


Yours In Liberty
Bob, NRA Lifer
Sent from my iGlock using Tapatalk

DoctorWho

Jet pilot wrote: »

If you see me, I am packing.
I wear an NRA, Glock or Gadsden ball cap with a vest so that CCW brothers and sisters like you do not have to guess. We are all members of a noble gang/fraternity. Wear your colors :-0


Yours In Liberty
Bob, NRA Lifer
Sent from my iGlock using Tapatalk

That is what they call shoot me first wear around the forum here.....

Slanteyedshootist

But in the case of that .1% you've just made yourself a target for shuriken.



It's taking an unnecessary risk when hanging out at a shopping mall.

DoctorWho

I forget who mentioned that he was tipped off that a guy was carrying by the scent of hoppes bore cleaner, and that it was in a gun store too.

When I was a LEO in NYC, many times either off duty / plain clothes, I would run into LEOs of various and diverse agencies, and it was never an issue, a brief hello, and whats new etc......chit chat, as I was not trying to hide that I was armed......

At least now with prevalent CCW, and so many retired LEOs out there, things are a bit more relaxed.

Hard to tell who is carrying now that bulges abound, more recently, at a fueling station, I saw an older guy carrying a large framed revolver in a cross draw holster, he was not very careful either, so I figured he was either a Sheriff of some small County or a retired LEO.....

Slanteyedshootist

Jayhawker wrote: »

The most common "tell" for me usually occurs with those new to carrying concealed...they seem to be constantly patting themselves down and adjusting...particularly when they first get out of a car...Then of course there is the ubiquitous "photographers vest" which just screams "I'm packin"!!!"

I wear a "photgrapher's vest" at times but being Asian people just assume I'm one of those goofy tourists who take pictures of everything in sight. Racial stereotyping is a good thing at times.:tooth:

Ojibahine

Jayhawker wrote: »

The most common "tell" for me usually occurs with those new to carrying concealed...they seem to be constantly patting themselves down and adjusting...particularly when they first get out of a car...Then of course there is the ubiquitous "photographers vest" which just screams "I'm packin"!!!"

Damn! I was gonna buy one of those vests. Wonder if my M&P can fit into that "cleavage holster" I was looking at. :rotflmao:

NN

Just get the western style vest

samfissure

My wife once had to have a bodyguard for an event she was hosting (long stalker story). I know he was carrying but I really tried to see where and could not. The only time I notice is when it's obvious. For me, when I ride the hog I have a leather vest with an inside pocket for my Sig and when I'm not it's in the Blackhawk holster which is covered by a big shirt or hoodie.