How to Spot an Armed Man in a Crowd

[ruger91]

just got this email so i thought i would share it with you all.these are not my views or ideas, just thought it would make for an interesting discussion. Enjoy

Last night in the Clackamas Town Center Mall in Portand, Oregon a masked gunman opened fire in the food court killing two and then killing himself. The police have not yet released the identity of the gunman as they sort out the details behind the murders.

This hit particularly close to home since the wife of a friend was in that exact location only minutes before.

Active shooters and mass killings are now a part of everyday life. They happen more and more and as long as there are people willing to kill without any apparent reason other than a psychological defect YOU are going to have to be better AWARE of your surroundings. The police and mall security can not be everywhere. You need to wake up and pay attention or suffer the consequences.

If you refuse to take notice and take action you will be a victim. In this particular case the gunman was wearing a mask, which should be your first clue to take action. But even if the suspect is not wearing body armor, a mask or has a visible weapon there are a few things you can look for to spot someone carrying a concealed firearm.

Like "tells" in poker, people carrying a weapon will subconsciously let you know if they are armed.

1. The "Security Check"

This is when they will touch, or feel the weapon with their arm or hand. The arm will appear to be a little stiffer. Remember that 88% of the world is right handed so chances are their right hand will be doing the checking.

2. The "Weapon Dance"

These body movements are because the subject is concerned with the weapon falling out or slipping out of position and into view so they are constantly checking it. The result is in some or all of the following:

•Stiffer arm on gun side
•Touching or holding the gun over the clothes
•Bending toward the weapon slightly
•Bravado in their walk
•Running or moving quickly from police presence
•Turning from view to adjust the weapon
•Pulling shirt or jacket over the weapon•Shorter arm and leg swing on gun side
•Hand(s) in pocket
•Turning and holding gun in crowds
•Looking down at gun
•Arm or part of arm holding gun snug next to body
•Security hold with elbow
•Thumb drag (along the bottom of the shirt as if to access the weapon)
3. Are they "Gun Fashionable"

What they wear dictates if they can even conceal a weapon or not. It's harder to conceal a weapon in your swim suit than it is in your ski suit.

•Does the clothing match the season or weather
•Does the clothing match
•Is the clothing loose or baggy
•In cold weather, is the subject's coat open?
•Look for subjects only wearing one glove (Insert Michael Jackson Joke here)
•When concealed in a jacket pocket, hoodie or bag there will be a sag, FIREARMS HAVE WEIGHT!
•Shirt- tucked in or worn out?
•Do shoes, boots match clothing and conditions.
•Does work outfit match conditions
•Pants with out loops, but subject is wearing a belt
4. Ways firearms are concealed

•Waistband (front side or crook of back)
•Pants (pockets or cuffs)
•Jacket or hoodie pockets
•Hats and hoods
•Underwear
•Shoes, boots
•Bags
•Radios, cameras, video recorders (with the way technology is, anyone with a BOOM BOX should probably be arrested on sight.)
•Grocery bags, boxes, shopping bags, etc.
•Hollow books, newspapers, cigarette cartons
•Holsters (bought, made or stolen - all types)
•Bikes and motorcycles
•Vehicles
So what do you do if your faced with an Active Shooter?

The answer is simple, BUT NOT EASY.

RUN

If you can escape, use cover and GO FAST. If cover is not an option move away at an angle. This forces the gunman to make two adjustments for distance and lateral position. Zig zagging is NOT recommended because you will cross the weapon's path multiple times with ev change of direction. Chances are you'll only have to move several feet before you can find cover.

HIDE

If you can't escape the building, find some place to hide and hold up until help arrives or the threat is gone. A utility closet or office are good because they can be locked. Take cover and try to call for help.

FIGHT

Sometimes running away is not an option. If your life or the lives of others are in danger you can use deadly force. If you don't have a firearm, or you have a firearm and it does not stop the threat, you need to be able to systematically dismantle your target.

The Self Defense Training System shows you how to eliminate any threat in seconds. With your bare hands or even improvised weapons, like chair or a ball point pen. You need to be able to channel your will to survive and be able to adapt your will to your current physical and environmental conditions.

Look, if you want to hang your hat on hope- go right ahead, but if you want an option when some human waste of life decides to take innocent lives before he takes his own, than I offer you an option HERE.

The "call 9-1-1" answer doesn't work. Never has, never will. The response time is way too long. 5 minutes in the world of REAL violence is like 5 minutes underwater.

Let the other guy take chances, you know better.

No B.S. just...

Train Honestly,





Damian Ross, The Self Defense Company


The Self Defense Training System
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[DefensiveCarry.com]

[goawayfarm]

In this case I think the mask would have been enough info.......I wouldn't get to hung up on looking for tells that somebody is carrying. You should probably look more towards tells of bad intentions.

I'm not worried about the other concealed carriers like us...I'm worried about the miscreant up to something nefarious.

[archer51]

In this case I think the mask would have been enough info.......

+1 on this.

[chuckusaret]

My family plays the "Pick Out The People Who Are CC'ing" when we go to the malls. We use the majority of Ruger 91 Weapons Dance input. The biggest give away that I have seen is the persons constant need to feel the weapon with their arm or hand. We are all aware of our surroundings at all times when at the mall, escape routes, safe areas, others actions etc.

[ghost tracker]

Dang, that requires a LOT of my detailed attention being paid in a LOT of directions. I'm not that smart or quick, so I'm just gonna' play it safe & assume that EVERYBODY is armed. And make ABSOLUTELY SURE that...I AM!

[OldVet]

I always assume a man with sleeves has arms.

[dukalmighty]

Now do they have to exhibit all of those actions before you can be pretty sure they got a gun?

[accessbob]

I always assume a man with sleeves has arms.

[ghost tracker]

I don't know who this Damian Ross/The Self Defense Company is, but (IMHO) if the above diatribe is an example of his instruction, I'm reminded of what my dear ol' Pappy once said about a fella'. Son, that man is all hat...and no cattle.

[OldVet]

I guess that's good-to-know info, but if I had to run thru that list on everyone at Walmart I'd never get my shopping done.

[goldshellback]

*Bravado in their walk
*Are they "Gun Fashionable"
*Does the clothing match

HAHAhahahahaa...... this is some funny stuff right thare.

[First Sgt]

I think the OP was trying to point out two things...and he is directing it toward the "average" concealed weapons carrier/person...
However, I reserve the right to be wrong!!!


1. Always stay up on your Situational Awareness...

2. Be prepared with a plan to either Escape, Evade, or Engage...

JMO

[Gene83]

I don't want to spot the people who are armed. I hope they are all armed. Tell me how to spot the crazy freaks who are doing all the killing.

Oh it should go without saying that I hope they are all legally armed.

[glockman10mm]

Too many infomercials on TV....and now on the net.

[aus71383]

So the email lures you in with garbage info, and then it's a commercial for some guy. And guns hidden in hats?!? lol

Austin