04-20-2004, 06:21 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Right Now
|
Concealed Carry
Some advice for those of you considering carrying concealed weapons. We're looking at moving back to Florida again, and I know that renewing my CCL will be simplistic.
I apologize for the poor formatting of the article.
Quote:
CLOTHING FOR CONCEALED CARRY
Properly carrying a concealed firearm requires that some thought be given to clothing selection. A pistol of appropriate size and a holster of proper design must be coordinated with intelligent apparel selection to form a truly effective system of carry.
Obviously, the clothing selection must be appropriate for your social or business environment. If you wear a suit to work, you must select suits in colors, fabric, and fit that will enable you to discreetly carry your pistol. In general, darker colors, like navy blue, charcoal gray, and black will make the contours of your holstered pistol less obvious to casual observers. You may wish to have the suit altered slightly, to allow a bit more room in the area where the pistol is worn. At times you may have to button your jacket, so be certain the pistol does not "print," or reveal its outline when the jacket is buttoned. Most business suits have narrow belt loops that will only accommodate a belt 1 1/4 inches wide. You will either have to get these loops altered to accept a larger belt, or obtain a special narrow gun belt. Galco and several custom leather makers offer a 1 ¼-inch dress belt that features two layers of leather laminated over a fiber reinforcement. This stiffens the belt to allow it to fully support a gun, spare ammunition, etc., while still being a stylish dress belt.
In a suit or sport coat, your pistol and spare ammunition should be worn behind the side seam of the trousers. This prevents "flashing" the piece if your jacket falls open as you reach or if the wind catches it. If you decide on a shoulder holster, make certain the harness does not show above your jacket's collar or print through the material across your back.
Casual clothing affords much greater latitude in concealed carry
options. One of my favorite items of casual clothing is the "safari
vest" or "photographer's vest," as sold by Banana Republic, Eddie
Bauer, Ducks Unlimited, and others. These handy vests are comfortable in all but the most extreme weather, with a T-shirt in hot weather or a long-sleeved sweater in cooler climates. They conceal a pistol well and are easy to present the weapon from. Smith & Alexander offers a line of lightweight vests cut specifically to wear a gun under, with slightly longer body and higher arm holes. These are available in a variety of fabrics and colors.
Another casual option is the pullover shirt, with an elasticized
bottom hem. Paired with an IWB holster or a Belly Band, this can be an effectively concealed and comfortable rig in warm to hot weather.
As in suits, darker colors work better, and bulkier fabrics will
conceal your weapon better than light, thin ones. If you want a pistol with rubber grips, like Pachmayr's, be aware that the "tacky" surface feel of these grips may stick to certain
fabrics in shirts or jacket liners. If you reach or bend over, the
material will be drawn over the gun, staying bunched up there as you straighten up. This is a dead giveaway. You may have to replace the stocks with harder, smoother ones for best concealment.
There are also mannerisms to avoid while carrying concealed, as these actions will betray the presence of your weapon is spite of sound clothing selection. Persons new to concealed carry often
subconsciously touch the pistol through their clothing, either with
the hand or the inside of the forearm. This is probably to reassure
themselves it is there. Avoid "hitching up" your pants, a la Jimmy
Cagney, or grabbing your belt on the gun side and tugging upward.
Finally, until the newness wears off, most civilian gun carriers feel
as if the gun is blatantly obvious to everyone, even if it is, in
fact, properly concealed. They are so convinced that everyone around them knows their awful secret that they adopt a furtive, guilty look. This in turn invites scrutiny and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bear in mind that awareness of the same mannerisms in others can be subtle clues for YOU to use in assessing the people around you. It works both ways.
Another practice to avoid is wearing items of clothing or accessories that scream to observers, "I am likely to be armed!" These include ball caps emblazoned with the logo of firearm or ammunition manufacturers, belt buckles shaped like guns, black basket-weave garrison belts, or T-shirts bearing pro-gun slogans or phrases like, "I don't dial 911, I call .357!" In a lethal confrontation, your sidearm will be most effective if it is presented in an unexpected, sudden, startling reaction to being attacked.
Telegraphing your armed status invites a bullet in the back of the
head without warning.
|
|
|
|
