Question for LEOs regarding criminal carry.

[gregintenn]

For the most part, do criminals use holsters, gunbelts, mag pouches, etc. I am of the opinion that this doesn't happen regularly, and that they usually stick a gun in their pants, pockets, etc. Am I right or wrong? When I see nice custom rig on a guy's belt, I don't think criminal.

 

[Erich]

I'm not a LEO but I've been a prosecutor and I've represented criminal defendants in gun cases for a long time. It's rare for a holster to turn up in a criminal case. When one does, it's typically a schlock generic nylon thing. I've yet to run across a Milt Sparks, Bulman or Horseshoe Leather rig in a case of mine. But NM is a poor state . . .

 

[18DAI]

In fifteen years on the job, nine in robbery/homicide, I've yet to see a miscreant use/own/know what it is - a holster.

Stuck under a hat, stuck in the waistband, carried inside the hood of a hoodie, ho-carry (the female significant other holds the gun for them).

But never in a holster. Regards 18DAI.

 

[sheriffoconee]

even thieves who STEAL guns out of cars and homes don't usually take the holsters when they take the guns unless they are in a real hurry.
34 years on the job. I can't recall a single bandit/drug slinger/miscreant who carried in a holster.

 

[keith44spl]

I don't recall ever see a holster on a bandit.
If'n ya ditch your your roscoe or nine after the fact...
Even dumb criminials don't want to get caught with an empty holster.

It'd be like...
Naw, Man that ain't no gun holsder...That's my baby's mommy's cell phone thing, Man!


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[okie john]

So does the presence of decent gunleather tend to indicate that you're dealing with an upstanding citizen?


Okie John

 

[keith44spl]

So does the presence of decent gunleather tend to indicate that you're dealing with an upstanding citizen?


Okie John

I'd say,
If'n a gent is wearin' a nice matchin' rig & sporting a cool S&W,

Yeah, he's go to go...

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[The Big D]

Great question.

Thirty and one-half years as a LEO. Saw a bad guy with a holster once, and only once, in those 30 years.

Briefly... Officer working radar effected a traffic stop mid-day. Bad guy had DL but no registration for tags. Whilst awaiting NCIC and local returns officer noted brake lights were lit. Requested second officer. When second officer arrived he, too, noted the brake lights and remained in his vehicle while first officer approached and asked driver to step out of vehicle. Bad guy did and immediately pulled a Taurus(?) 9mm from 1200 in his waistband; shot first officer twice in mid-section. Both officers returned fire as bad guy got back in his car and attempted escape. Escape was stopped; bad guy dead at scene.

Dead guy had had the pistol in a Uncle Mike's IWB covered by a barber's smock. Second magazine in center console. He had emptied first.

Strange twist... tags had not been reported stolen; dead guy would have gotten citation(s), only. Even stranger, he was someone other than the i.d.'s carried. Had escaped from a North Carolina courthouse a few years previously and had assumed the identity of his brother. Had been living rather peacefully until he got caught speeding.

This story is absolutely true.

Be safe.

 

[sigp220.45]

27 years - never seen a bad guy use a holster. I've found some stored in holsters on search warrants, but have never seen a turd wear one.

 

[S. Hammer]

And NEVER a reload. Usually just what was in the gun when it was stolen. If they do try and top it off they usually put the wrong ammo in it.

 

[Erich]

Oh, I can't agree there. I've worked on several cases in which spare magazines were evident. And even reloads during firefights.

 

[safearm]

even thieves who STEAL guns out of cars and homes don't usually take the holsters when they take the guns unless they are in a real hurry.

An empty holster in an otherwise ransacked house was at least suspicion that a burglar had a gun. In one case where I worked as a LEO, it ended up with a dead burglar. The first officer on the scene of a burglary in progress observed the empty holster and radioed to a back-up officer officer who was responding from another direction. Subject had fled the house and was running along a service road beside a railroad track. Back-up officer blocked the service road and exited his squad with a shotgun. When ordered to stop, the subject reached into his coat (it was February in northern Illinois), and the back-up officer fired one shot of 00 Buck, dropping the subject, who was found with his hand on the butt of the S&W Model 10 revolver stuck in his belt. The officer, who was later my Sergeant and Shift Commander, was exonerated of any wrong-doing, both in criminal court (no bill of indictment) and civil court (sued by the family of the 16 year old high school drop-out car thief/burglar- the stolen car was recovered in the driveway of the victim's house).

 

[oldman45]

Interesting question and one I never considered until now. Reflecting back I do not recall ever having a perp with a holster of any kind.

Reloads? Not on their person but plenty in their car.

But then I do not often carry a spare mag either. Did so today due to wearing a shoulder rig and needed the weight of two mags to offset the weight of the gun. Likely the first time I carried a spare mag in three years. If you can hit the target in the right places with the first shot, there is no need for a lot of ammo.

 

[venomballistics]

Interesting question and one I never considered until now. Reflecting back I do not recall ever having a perp with a holster of any kind.

Reloads? Not on their person but plenty in their car.

But then I do not often carry a spare mag either. Did so today due to wearing a shoulder rig and needed the weight of two mags to offset the weight of the gun. Likely the first time I carried a spare mag in three years. If you can hit the target in the right places with the first shot, there is no need for a lot of ammo.

in my woods rig I can relate to that "balance with ammo" thing. 629 on one side ... bucket of ammo on the other just to walk straight

 

[gregintenn]

So does the presence of decent gunleather tend to indicate that you're dealing with an upstanding citizen?


Okie John

That's what I subconsciously think. I was just wondering if there was any validity to it. I knew a lot of you guys would have an opinion based on field experience.

 

[fiasconva]

Wow, this is one interesting thread. I'm glad I read it. Thanks y'all!

 

[sheriffoconee]

So does the presence of decent gunleather tend to indicate that you're dealing with an upstanding citizen?


Okie John

decent gunleather there would be no doubt in my mind that most likely I am dealing with a taxpayer. even crappy nylon tells me that most likely that the person is a real citizen.

 

[m1gunner]

decent gunleather there would be no doubt in my mind that most likely I am dealing with a taxpayer. even crappy nylon tells me that most likely that the person is a real citizen.

And Georgia prohibits CCW without a holster (or hip-grip). No holster less pocket carry, and no mexican carry, that defines you as a law breaker from the get go.

 

[Virgil]

I've been a LEO for over 13yrs now and have encountered numerous criminals with firearms. Every now and then I will find a pistol in a holster tucked under a seat. Normally its rare though for a criminal to use a holster.

 

[Faulkner]

It'll be 16 years on the job in January, and I've only encountered bad guys wearing holsters once. Stopped a car for no tags on a four lane not divided US highway. Two male subjects, got the DL from the driver and backed away and radioed it in while I kept an eye on them. A state trooper was monitoring the SO's channel and when he heard the radio traffic he immediately radioed me to get back to my car and not reapproach until he got there, then he called for more backup.

State trooper was close and got there within a couple of minutes. He told me he suspected these two were anti-government white supremacist that they had been looking for, though I'd not seen or heard a BOLO. We both pulled out our shotguns and performed a felony take down at that point. Got 'em out one at a time and spread eagle on the ground. Both of them were armed, one with a Sig the other a 1911 in holsters under untucked shirts. Both also had hideout guns in ankle rigs too. They didn't give us any trouble, though.

By the way, that trooper has never had to buy his own dinner whenever we take our meal break together.