One of Many
Member
Fanny Packs and Clip-on Pocketknives are not reliable indicators of concealed pistol carry. I always have my knife clipped to my pocket, and I usually have a small belly-bag on, yet I do not carry a concealed pistol. My belly-bag is just large enough to conceal my J-frame .38 special, but I use it to carry a second pair of eyeglasses, eyeglass cleaner solution and medication.
I was once asked by a police officer to open my belly-bag, when I was entering a racetrack grandstand area, where handguns are prohibited. He saw my eyeglasses and let me enter. I am sure he suspected I had a gun in the bag, and that is why he wanted me to open it.
If you assume that a fanny-pack or belly-bag is being used to conceal a gun, it could cause you to overlook a gun hidden in a different location on that persons body. It could also divert your attention away from another person that is a real threat.
I have considered getting one of the vests that have multiple pockets (safari or photog type) and getting the stuff I usually carry on my belt (PDA and Cell Phone) and in the belly-bag off of my waist; that would not mean I was carrying a concealed gun anymore than I do now.
What is the concern about identifying other people that are carrying concealed guns? Do you suspect anyone that you do not know, of being a criminal, if you think they have a gun? Do you suspect that they are CPL holders? What is the point? If you see someone performing a criminal act with a gun, then you need to be concerned, otherwise why waste the time and energy to constantly look for a concealed gun. Most people planning to use a gun to commit a crime in the immediate time frame will have it in their hand (and the hand may be concealed); those that are minding their own business and carrying out normal activities in a normal manner, are not a threat, so why try to detect their hidden gun?
I was once asked by a police officer to open my belly-bag, when I was entering a racetrack grandstand area, where handguns are prohibited. He saw my eyeglasses and let me enter. I am sure he suspected I had a gun in the bag, and that is why he wanted me to open it.
If you assume that a fanny-pack or belly-bag is being used to conceal a gun, it could cause you to overlook a gun hidden in a different location on that persons body. It could also divert your attention away from another person that is a real threat.
I have considered getting one of the vests that have multiple pockets (safari or photog type) and getting the stuff I usually carry on my belt (PDA and Cell Phone) and in the belly-bag off of my waist; that would not mean I was carrying a concealed gun anymore than I do now.
What is the concern about identifying other people that are carrying concealed guns? Do you suspect anyone that you do not know, of being a criminal, if you think they have a gun? Do you suspect that they are CPL holders? What is the point? If you see someone performing a criminal act with a gun, then you need to be concerned, otherwise why waste the time and energy to constantly look for a concealed gun. Most people planning to use a gun to commit a crime in the immediate time frame will have it in their hand (and the hand may be concealed); those that are minding their own business and carrying out normal activities in a normal manner, are not a threat, so why try to detect their hidden gun?