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What draws MY attention is people touching the gun thru the clothing. Many people do this with realizing it. I also notice unusual activity and body movements, like a guy holding his jacket/vest/shirt down with one hand while digging for his wallet with the other....

Bingo! People are far more likely to be "made" as a result of their actions (especially constantly checking the weapon for concealment, etc.) than because of the gun "printing."

There are some more subtle ways to spot people who are likely carrying. I've started looking for people who are obviously carrying their cell-phones on their weak-hand side. ;)

JohnKSa wrote:

What draws MY attention is people touching the gun thru the clothing. Many people do this with realizing it. I also notice unusual activity and body movements, like a guy holding his jacket/vest/shirt down with one hand while digging for his wallet with the other....

Bingo! People are far more likely to be "made" as a result of their actions (especially constantly checking the weapon for concealment, etc.) than because of the gun "printing."

There are some more subtle ways to spot people who are likely carrying. I've started looking for people who are obviously carrying their cell-phones on their weak-hand side. ;)

Forget that one (with me anyway). Even if I didn't carry I would still have my cell phone weak side. It's all a big guessing game. We know, we look. Sheep don't.

txinvestigator wrote:What draws MY attention is people touching the gun thru the clothing. Many people do this with realizing it. I also notice unusual activity and body movements, like a guy holding his jacket/vest/shirt down with one hand while digging for his wallet with the other....

I confess to adjusting when I get out of a vehicle. It's just something that has to happen. I'm not too worried about being made in that situation, because I'm not going to park and exit the vehicle without being aware of who/what is around me.

I don't worry about digging for my wallet, because my cover garments take care of it, and because I know that I could wear my pistol duct-taped to my forehead and most people wouldn't notice it. I'm not worried about a half-inch of muzzle showing below my shirt for a fraction of a second.

Wind can cause me to actually check that my shirt tail is down, but I usually mask my "checks" by sticking my strong hand in my pocket, or holding my three year old's hand on that side.

Kevin

Sometimes its hard "not" to adjust everything when you get up from a restaurant table, getting out of your car, etc etc...

But once you have everything settled...Its usually not too much of an issue after that...

But isn't it amazing how consciensous (sp?) we are in Texas when it comes to going out of our way to maintain that concealed condition...

one eyed fatman wrote:... It's all a big guessing game. We know, we look. Sheep don't.

As an ex-"sheep" (with regards to CHs that is), I'll second that.

Prior to a little more than 2 months ago, before my and my wife's interest in getting our CHL, I never even considered "looking for a carrier" and never noticed one (other than open-carry LEOs). To this day I STILL haven't identified anyone I thought might be carrying concealed, though I know that I'm inexperienced in looking for tale-tell signs and will spot one eventually. I am looking now, so that's a change!

sparx wrote:To this day I STILL haven't identified anyone I thought might be carrying concealed, though I know that I'm inexperienced in looking for tale-tell signs and will spot one eventually. I am looking now, so that's a change!

Spens some time looking aroud in gun shops on Saturday afternoon. You'll really start seeing them there. :-)

I spotted someone today at PetsMart. While I don't know for a fact that he was carrying, let's just say I'm positive he wasn't really fly fishing.

Kevin

We know, we look. Sheep don't.

Agreed.

Since I run the office I work in, concealment is not an issue with my employees. I have, on most days, from 75-100 men coming in and going out. I three years I was only made once.....and that was by another CHL holder except that he "made" my wallet. When not carrying I carry my wallet in my right front pocket. When he pointed at the bulge and asked quietly if I was carrying, I pulled out my wallet and he turned red from embarassment. What he did not know was that I sometime carry my PT-145 in my cowboy boot cuff.

I agree the sheeple are not aware of all the CHL holders surrounding them and that is the way it must be.

My 22 yo son got his CHL in January. The only difference he made in his manner of dress was to start wearing a belt (to support his holster).

Now his dad wil ask him if he is "fully dressed" and he will answer "I'm wearing a belt aren't I"

Interesting thread....

Was talking with the older department manager at the gun counter of Academy Sporting Goods in Abilene a while back, he had a good observation about concealed carry:

Many customers walk up to the gun counter, and ask for a certain type of ammo, holster, etc. He asks them what type of gun they want it for ? Some reply by openly revealing their concealed carry weapon, a few even go further to take the weapon out of its holster and display it - at times even pointing it in the direction of another customer at the counter.

After shaking his head during our conversation, he asked: "What part about the word 'concealed' don't they understand???"

My personal take on the folks who display in a gun store is that it is a part of their 'Rambo' mentality....... they WANT to be NOTICED.

GrannyGlock wrote:My 22 yo son got his CHL in January. The only difference he made in his manner of dress was to start wearing a belt (to support his holster).

Now his dad wil ask him if he is "fully dressed" and he will answer "I'm wearing a belt aren't I"

I like his answer!

DaveT wrote:Interesting thread....



After shaking his head during our conversation, he asked: "What part about the word 'concealed' don't they understand???"

My personal take on the folks who display in a gun store is that it is a part of their 'Rambo' mentality....... they WANT to be NOTICED.

Agreed and more of a problem than we would like to admit, although I think most of us stress concealment in our class.

I really feel there are two kinds of CHL carriers:

The tough I am Rambo and I don't care who knows it type and the

walk soft and carry a big gun and I don't care who doesn't know it type.

I take this responsibility very seriously. I've never yet needed to use deadly force to protect me or my family, but I have known for some time that I could if I had too. This is just the next step.

I learned many years ago in Tae Kwon Do that the best defense is not to be there, but if you find yourself there, do what has to be done.

I hope no one ever knows that I am carrying. (If the dern CHL ever gets here of course.)

I carry a wallet in my front pocket and no one has ever looked at me like I had a gun.