Getting made w/o getting "caught." How often is CCW identified w/o consequence?

[Chuck Dye]

In a restaurant, a small boy walked up to my table and, when he knew he had my attention, said, "Excuse me, sir, are you carrying a gun?"

I did, in fact, have my 5" 1911 holstered inside my waistband but I was confident that I had done nothing to reveal its presence. I answered, "Well son, that is one of those "don’t ask, don’t tell" questions. Why do you ask? Have you seen a gun?"

The boy shook his head and said, "You have long shirt tails. They’re not tucked in. The only time my Dad does that is when he’s wearing his gun."

I asked, "Are you sure that I am just not a snappy dresser like you Dad?"

The boy shook his head, said, "You talk too nice."

It seems that the combination of speaking in fully formed sentences and appearing in a mid-scale restaurant with my shirt untucked, combined with a bright child is all it took to get made. I told the youngster that I did have a gun and a license for it and that I would appreciate it if that could be kept between him, me, and of course his parents. The look of pleasure I got from my confirmation is priceless.

Dad then came over and apologized for his son’s interruption. I told him that no apology was needed. The look of pleasure on the kid’s face was great, the look of surprise on Dad’s face when I told him how I had been made was almost better: seems Dad had no idea he had established a telltale. He was, at once, horrified at the telltale and delighted at his son’s savvy.


Now I know this does not truly count as a failure to conceal a CCW, but combined with several recent threads it has made me ask how much I am getting away with. How often do concealed carriers reveal their weapon without consequence?

 

[Standing Wolf]

Bright lad!

Working as I do in a gun shop, I notice a fair number of middle-aged guys whose lop-sided waists are invariably covered. I can't be sure they're carrying, of course, but sincerely hope they are.

 

[springmom]

How funny! What a great kid, and kudos to you for the way you handled it.

Here in Texas, it's hard to say what the answer to your question is. Most people don't give a rip, IMO, and if they see a "print", they won't say anything because they don't care. Same with LEOs, at least around here. If they've ever noticed, they've never said anything.

I really don't think adults look at people's waistlines that closely. With all the stuff people carry that you CAN see (multiple pagers, phones, Leatherman, knife, etc), a bulge is just not something people think about or care about.

Springmom

 

[Chuck Dye]

Perhaps I should have added that the boy was exactly correct: the only reason my shirt was not tucked in was that I was armed.

Now, do you think a tweed sport coat over a stone washed canvas shirt w/o a tie, and Dockers, is a give away?

 

[springmom]

No, but it would make you look like Dr. Greg House

Springmom

 

[expvideo]

This reminds me of a story... I was picking up my car from the shop with my dad, and the mechanic (a rude, unfriendly, cocky, and quite umm... heavy... guy) was bending over into the hood of the car talking to my dad. There was a good 6 inches between the top of his sweatpants and the bottom of his sweater, and right in the middle of his plumber's crack was a SW99 being carried mexican style. It was exposed to us for nearly 5 minutes as he worked on something while talking to us. I thought it was the most careless and rude display I've ever seen, and it made me very uncomfortable (not the fact that he had the gun, but the fact that he was so careless with it). I open carry from time to time, but that was just inappropriate and rude.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I spotted one of my daughter's friend's fathers carrying while at an outdoor function. I did not know the man at the time, but as a result, we have now gone shooting together.

He was wearing a fanny pack, but given the clothing of the day and the fact that others present had them, the fanny pack was not out of place. The telltale signs, however, were that it was obviously loaded heavy based on how it sagged, but his wallet was in a bact pocket, keys hanging out of a front pocket, and his cell phone was on his belt. So if all the normal guy-things are carried elsewhere, then what would be in the pack?

It turns out, he is a pretty good shooter.

So, caught with no [negative] consequence, but now I have a new shooting buddy which is a positive consequence.

 

[expvideo]

I made my neighbor that way (not to his face). I was at denny's and this guy comes in with a fanny pack, but he had his wallet in his back pocket. I told my dad that I thought he was packing. He said, "yup. He's our neighbor, it's a smaller glock".

 

[DFW1911]

I think "being made" is a classic example of action vs reaction: if you "freak out" then, too, will the person who's made you.

It's happened to me twice. Both times were caused by wind and, forgive the expression, I was fully exposed. Both times I smiled and said "How are you today?" and received very cordial answers...no freaking out by anyone.

Granted if someone screamed "he's got a gun" I think I'd probably use something along the lines of "it's okay, I'm one of the good guys." I just hope I don't have to test that particular assertion .

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[kd7nqb]

I posted on this a while back

I posted a while back on when I made a guy while getting a haircut. Did not bother me but it was an area that people might not handle it well, I felt like telling him how obvious it was but chose not to because it was not my place and I didnt want him or somebody else to over react.

 

[Langenator]

Happened to me once while I was watching my son at a playground. Kid about 8 or 9 comes up to me and asks if I'm a policeman. Given the occasional breeze and me having to move around quite a bit to keep up with my son, I figure he saw my pistol, and together with my short (military) haircut, and figured I must be a cop.

I just smiled and told him yes.

 

[Chuck Dye]

kd7nqb,

You have identified a key ingredient in the answer to my question. What do you, and others, consider worth mention and to whom? Telling someone that their cover garment isn’t covering can bring very mixed results. I have done so twice, once brought me an "Ooops! Thanks!" and once brought me an "(expletive omitted) off! Mind your own business!" Considering that the snarler might have gone farther, I have forgone my one subsequent opportunity.

 

[Chuck Dye]

Lagenator,

One of the pleasures I take in relating my restaurant encounter stems from having been straight with the kid. While I do believe CCW to always be in a "NO WAKE" zone and understand how the quickly defusing "Yes" in your encounter was expedient, I have to ask: was it true?

 

[expvideo]

Funny story:
I was working at a leather store, selling leather jackets. A man came in and said he was looking for something a little longer. I showed him what we had, but he only wanted to look at somewhat sportier jackets, which weren't long enough for "his needs". He seemed really nervous, and couldn't just come out and say it, so I told him "I know exactly what you mean, I have the same issue." and showed him the coat that I wore. He was much more comfortable knowing that I also carried a ccw, and at that point the conversation was much easier. He was waiting for his permit and new to the world of CCW, so I gave him a few tips on concealment and ended up with a nice sale.

I thought it was nice to help the guy out, and we both ended up laughing at the situation.

 

[aaronrkelly]

The only time I was "made" at all was during a fitting.

I didnt make a big deal out of it and he didnt either.

He was measuring my waste and when he got around to the "bulge" he asked if I would be wearing my gun on the day of the wedding or not.....I advised I would.

That was it....but I suspect tailors do come across guns often.

 

[solareclipse]

if that boy summarized how people identify who packs and not, i am so packing 24/7. that would explain the looks at times.

yet i can walk around in full camo and boots with a radio hanging out each pocket and nobody even stares? weird

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Huck Phinn,

Let me add another kudo to the way you handled the situation.

Perhaps the solution to your "problem" is simply a different style of shirt, i.e., one that is designed not to be tucked in; one that has no tails.

But talk about being made!! About 15 years ago, I jump out of the car and am literally running in to drop off my phone payment before they close and to pick my wife up on time from her work on a Friday evening. I'm carrying a Colt Govt. .45 in an El Cheapo IWB holster at the small-of-my-back. You know, a spring clip, foam-type holster with absolutely NO retaining features. As I'm running right toward a knockout looking lady who's talking to some guy, the freakin' pistol POPS OUT of the holster and clatters on the ground almost directly in front of them!!

I skid to a halt, run back and pick it, smiled and said "Sorry." Of course, their conversation came to a complete stop! As I ran back to the car, with my hand on the pistol, they're just standing there, still not talking-in shock, I guess. I said "Have a great weekend."

Sam

 

[Kentak]

It's happened to me twice. Both times were caused by wind

That must have been some powerful chili!

 

[Brian D.]

Square tailed shirts look a little less sloppy when not tucked in. Personally I mix up the wardrobe some--wear a 5.11 vest one day and maybe somebody makes the connection, wear it all the time and you can bet people do, if that matters to you.

Not that many years ago suits/sport coats were still common downtown, hence I thought of them as "urban camo". Lot less bankers, more techno-employees have changed all that, kinda makes wearing almost whatever when in the city seem normal.

 

[noresttill]

Handled nicely, but I dont think I would have given a confimation. Saying the affirmative is the same as printing here (At least thats what I believe, and live by)

I would have said, "If thats what you believe, lets keep it between just the two of us *wink*" if he's as smart as it seems, the same satisfaction would come to him.

Jesse

 

[Chuck Dye]

The boy told me his Dad carries. The admission is not sanctioned by Oregon. The kid did not deserve a dodge.

 

[Sistema1927]

...right in the middle of his plumber's crack was a SW99 being carried mexican style.

I guess that some folks are equipped with built in holsters

 

[Froggy]

I can recall about a half-dozen times I've spotted belt clips that were not attached to anything on the outside of the belt. Assumption, of course, is they are holding up an IWB holster. Usually made eye contact with the carrier..."I know that you know that I know."

Once spotted a KelTec in pocket carry... "funny, who ever heard of a knife with a serial number? Oh! Never mind."

Its all about setting and demeanor. A guy doing CC and not visibly nervous or studying the comings and goings of other patrons is probably nothing to worry about.

 

[Imaginos]

Imaginos

I've found the best way to handle the clothing store is just to hand the clerk my CHL and politely asking if they mind me trying on some clothes. Never had a problem.

The first time I tried this was at a Sym's in Hurst, TX. An off-duty cop was working security, so I was not really worried about having any trouble if the clerk freaked out. The clerk was very polite, and he got a good sale for his trouble.

So far, my 4 yo daughter has been the only person who has "outed" me by telling me, and everyone else in 10 yards, that no guns were allowed in the place where we were going. She saw the gun-busters sign and though it necessary to call my attention to it.

 

[gezzer]

Kid was not well trained. Mine would never have said my dad carries.

When he was in first grade some moron teacher aide asked who had guns at home? My son lied. I was so proud of him. He is 19 now and when asked if he owns guns by anyone he replies of course not the are dangerous. Note this does not count to anyone he knows from the gun club, gun show or our Shop.

The moron teacher aide (student teacher) was not alowwed back in our town after formaly complaing to the school board and selectmen.