NYPD "How to spot a hidden handgun"

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silicosys4

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SOURCE: Robert T. Gallagher, former detective, ARTU (Anti Robbery Tactical Unit) for the New York City Police Department
 
Interesting .... I'm probably guilty of most of those at some point or another. I just choose not to care if someone notices.
 
Its been a while but I think I've seen that somewhere.

They've had lots of experience so I'd bet most of is close to right.

I try to avoid the "tells" but I probably do some of them anyway.

Mark
 
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Prove to us you don't have a gun? Is the person who "spots" you supposed to call the police? What if they "spot" your cell phone? Guilty until proven innocent?
 
Lockheed said:
Prove to us you don't have a gun? Is the person who "spots" you supposed to call the police? What if they "spot" your cell phone? Guilty until proven innocent?
Click to expand...
That would be up to the person, unless there's a legal requirement to report such a crime.

Even if a law is bad, it's the job of the police to investigate and enforce it.
 
guyfromohio said:
Interesting .... I'm probably guilty of most of those at some point or another. I just choose not to care if someone notices.
Click to expand...

I don't know what the OP's intent was with his post since there aren't any comments attached.

If your intent is to OC then the tells don't matter I suppose. But if you're doing concealed carry and don't care if anyone notices, you gave up your defensive advantage. Just because you have a noticeable gun doesn't mean someone else is afraid to mix it up with you, especially when you hand them your tactical advantage.

I saw that pic several years ago. My thoughts were aimed on how to better assess potential threats especially when in the city. Some I already knew from growing up in the city. They're only one slice of the pie in assessing. Not the end all, be all.
 
One thing that doesn't go through criminals minds is "I think that gentleman may be carrying, thought I saw a tell. I'm going to rob him." And another one: "Oh look, that gentleman is open carrying a handgun. He has given up his defensive advantage; I'm going to rob him."
 
Years ago, before concealed carry was legal in Wisconsin, I was told that wearing a fanny pack or men's carry bag ( a "murse") was a dead give-away that you were carrying. I have owned a Coronado leather cross-carry bag for years, which is a useful item for carrying (in addition to a gun in the hidden rear compartment) your cell phone, keys, wallet, etc). I deliberately took this bag with me, without a gun, when visiting the State Capital. I approached LEO's at the capital building, asking for directions, but really wondering if they would question my entry to the building with this leather bag hanging at my side. Not only did no one question me, but when I did the exact same exercise in Chicago, and at the IL state capital in Springfield, I had the exact same non-response from the police. So my impression is that unless you look like a threatening type individual, you would have to be more than obvious for someone to suspect or know that you are carrying. I'm a 69 year old, somewhat overweight guy who pocket carries on occasion (where it is legal to do so) and have never encountered a single problem. My wife hates guns, and prefers I never mention anything about them. She is never aware when I am carrying or not.
 
In my part of the country the South, it is often easy to tell the sort of person who is carrying NOT because of a bulge but because of the way they dress. "Tactical vests" are a dead give away especially when the wearer has police style pants or is wearing anything in desert camo, olive drab or black. These guys walk around dressed like range officers at an IDPA match. Of course Glock patches on their vests are like a flashing red light. No matter though, they all have permits but the paramilitary costume is still a dead giveaway.
 
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I met a man who was gang tackled by police and had his shoulder really messed up because he was carrying a wrench in his back pocket and evidently brushed up against someone in the crowd who thought the hard thing that they bumped was a gun. The police tried to cover their mistake by calling the wrench a concealed weapon even though the man carrying it was at work and on his way to turn the gas off on a malfunctioning gas stove.
 
With people carying multiple cell phones GPS devices and an array of junk, keys, glasses, wallets, that we never had to contend with, the least obvious thing that stands out on me, is 1 or even 2 small guns. I guarantee no one has pinned me in the 43 years I have been carrying, it's not an issue. Currentlly my 40 shield or xds, are so small, that when in a pocket or waistband with a tee shirt over them, you aren't going to see anything.
I think with a new shooter you are more likelly to spot the paranoyia until they get used to carrying, like touching or feeling the gun. They think everyone knows. People are so ambivelent nowadays, that even LEO's don't know unless you tell them.
I do 40 minutes of cardio, and another 20 minutes of weights, with a gun on me every day for many years, and no one has ever noticed.
 
In Washington, clothes that don't match and styles that fit the weather are pretty much guaranteed for everyone. My clothes fit the weather 10 min ago, don't fit now, and will fit perfect in another 10 min.
 
Lockheed said:
What is the expectation of the NYPD when you "spot" the hidden weapon (which you have no real evidence of)?
Click to expand...

There isn't necessarily a boogeyman here.

Cops have to walk up and talk to people every day. Having a hint that they might be carrying is useful to know, in case they turn out to be wanted, and are prepared to shoot it out.

I notice signs that people are carrying all the time. Usually, my assumption is they're an off duty cop, or a CCW holder. But I'll probably keep one eye on them if I'm in a convenience store, etc.

Good reason to keep your concealed weapon, concealed.
 
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