The guy in the gun shop was showing how he carried his FA 22 4 shot revolver. I had a tucked in western shirt and jeans, so I ask if he could tell if I was carrying. He looked a little suprised and said no, so I pulled out my 625-9 mountain gun. He was really suprised then. I think the real suprise would be to know how many times we are wrong. Ace
Do you try to "make" people?
- Thread starter Greg D
- Start date
95% of the general popultion not too observant.
I walked into a gas station to buy some cokes and snacks one day with my 40 sigma semi- exposed in a Fobus belt holster and noone said a word to me except my wife when I got back into the truck.
FYI I use Fanny Pack, Vests (Western and Biker), Sports coats and untucked shirts. I have know old men who wore fanny packs and vest long before we had CCW in the TX or Ark.
I walked into a gas station to buy some cokes and snacks one day with my 40 sigma semi- exposed in a Fobus belt holster and noone said a word to me except my wife when I got back into the truck.
FYI I use Fanny Pack, Vests (Western and Biker), Sports coats and untucked shirts. I have know old men who wore fanny packs and vest long before we had CCW in the TX or Ark.
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I think way too much is made by us gun people on this whole "getting made" deal. Some simple observation of human behavior while out and about will tell you that the vast majority of the population needs to be literally hit upside the head to notice much of anything.
As gun carriers we are of course more in tune with potential clues that a person may be carrying and I notice them occasionally as part of standard situational awareness, but I don't visually pat everyone down and perform a virtual analysis of whether they may be carrying or not.
Similarly, I simply don't care if someone 'makes me' as carrying a gun once in awhile. I just don't care if people think my belt/fanny pack/vest/untucked shirt/shorts/cargo pants, or if I pat my front pocket, side, or ass when I get out of the truck "screams gun" as some gun owners like to say.
If I were to assume that everyone here in the pacific northwest who had a thick belt/fanny pack/vest/shorts/cargo pants/untucked shirt was carrying a gun then that would mean 75% or better of the population was armed which of course is just not so. It would be a lot less work for me to spot the people who were not carrying.
Good points. I think we tend to grossly overestimate the number of people carrying. If I recall correctly, here in Texas, the state says that there are fewer than 400,000 valid permits. We've got about 30 million people in this state. Even if all 400,000 are physically in Texas and carrying everyday(unlikely), that's still only about 1 out of every 75 people. Now granted I haven't factored in folks carrying illegally, or folks carrying with a permit from another state that Texas honors, but IMHO we're still talking small numbers. I don't know what the stats are for any other state, but my guess is that nationwide (across all the "Shall Issue" states) we're not talking double much less triple the Texas percentages.
IMHO most folks whose manner of dress causes us to think they are carrying, aren't carrying.
I'm much more concerned with looking for clues that someone is considering making me a crime victim than I am in trying to spot others who are carrying.
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speedshooter
Member
I dont usually try to make people...but i am always aware of who and what is around me.(im that way even when i dont carry which isnt often).one day i went to a nearby gas station/convienence store and when i reached for my wallet i was "made" by a city police officer standing behind me...he just asked what i was i had, no ensuing panic or uncontrolled screaming from anyone.I really do not worry much if people think or know i carry..but hey thats just me.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I've made three; a daughter and two sons.
I can usually spot carriers, but not always. I am much more observant than the average person. Yesterday, I went to lunch with one of my partners, who commented on the fact that I was not wearing a jacket, since he knows I always carry. It was quite warm, I told him. I was carrying my 9x23 Ultra-Aegis in a K&D tuckable with a tucked-in shirt, as well as a 342 in a boot top. He didn't ask; I didn't tell, but I know that he didn't even spot the belt clips that are visible if one looks for them.
I can usually spot carriers, but not always. I am much more observant than the average person. Yesterday, I went to lunch with one of my partners, who commented on the fact that I was not wearing a jacket, since he knows I always carry. It was quite warm, I told him. I was carrying my 9x23 Ultra-Aegis in a K&D tuckable with a tucked-in shirt, as well as a 342 in a boot top. He didn't ask; I didn't tell, but I know that he didn't even spot the belt clips that are visible if one looks for them.
Out West
Member
"Shoot Me First" list:
1. fanny packers
2. camera vesters
3. hawaiian shirters
4. untucked button downers
5. sport coaters
6. bra wearers (Barb's post tipped me to this one)
7. wilderness tactical belters
8. shoulder baggers
Who'd I leave out?
Out West
1. fanny packers
2. camera vesters
3. hawaiian shirters
4. untucked button downers
5. sport coaters
6. bra wearers (Barb's post tipped me to this one)
7. wilderness tactical belters
8. shoulder baggers
Who'd I leave out?
Out West
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38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
You left out: Back-of-neck and teardrop tattoos, sagging pants, loose hooded sweatshirts, wife-beater undershirts, untied sneakers, and a fair number of other, genuine target-markers.
Wayne02
Member
Those who 'pat their piece' every time they get in to, or out of their vehicles, or stand up / sit down.
And especially those who wear the 5.11 type pants.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
"Pat their piece." Paints an interesting picture.
Oh, I forgot sideways ball caps and Barry-O tee-shirts.
gunnut2u
Member
I did it way before I got my license .
Sven
Member
Just us mouse gunning pocket carriers.
I tried to "make" Rose George back in 9th grade, but was unsuccessful. 
CharlieSW
Member
Absolutely - my martial arts training of the last 40 years has sensitized me to how people move and act, and how they project their attitude. As I have become involved in shooting over the past year, I have become incresaingly aware of the potential for concealed carry, and I am picking up the signs, both physical and psychic. Most of the time, I am pretty comfortable with the regular citizens who carry, but occasionally the alarms go off when I see the potential for trouble. I am not currently licensed to carry, so I remove myself from those few situations.
reerc
Member
I don't try to "make" people, but I think I got "made" a couple of weeks ago. I was unloading the grocery cart into the back of my jeep, when some guy had to walk behind me. I noticed his eyes never leaving me, and he made a deliberate attempt to say "hi" to me. After he had passed, I leaned over as if I was putting something in the jeep again, and felt my waist. Sure enough, at least the holster clip - if not the whole butt of the gun was probably visible.
This is a pretty gun-friendly state/city, so I wasn't overly concerned about it, but it DID teach me to be more careful!
This is a pretty gun-friendly state/city, so I wasn't overly concerned about it, but it DID teach me to be more careful!
Herknav
Member
I tried to "make" Rose George back in 9th grade, but was unsuccessful.
I can't wait until she Googles herself and sees that post!
Back to topic--I don't go out of my way to look for a gun. I look at the people. I suspect the ones carrying are usually the ones without the donut-glaze look in their eyes.
CJofWolfcreek
US Veteran
I pretty much assume any person can be carrying a concealed weapon. With that in mind, no I don't look for printing, I look for body language. I don't care if grandma is packing, I do care if someone is scouting out possible prey.
bubbiesdad
Member
Un-tucked pullover/polo shirts? Er never mind, forget I said anything.
And here I thought all of these said "go away punk or your dead"... I'm personally not trying to hide a damn thing, I just comply with the law. I too am a mouse gunner in the pocket. What a strange hobby, I think your time would be better spent looking for threats.
