Defensive Carry banner

Can you spot one?

6K views 50 replies 27 participants last post by  P95Carry 
#1 ·
A BG that is?

All the while as I scan around me - particularly in more crowded places - I try and analyze. But - am I guilty of stereo-typing - like when I see a ''gangsta'' type dresser? Maybe I am - I have to expect the worst and hope for the best.

I have no tat's - just me but - if I see tat's - I wonder. Military? Possible. Construction guy? Possible. Gang member? Possible. But also, some real ''hard cases'' sport tat's too.

And yet - one thing I do know - the best ''con man'' is always the most credible and normal looking dude you'll find!

Bottom line I guess - is be aware - of everything, without presuming on threat but, never assume! I'll hope none of us here has to draw in anger but equally will expect that should anyone actually have to - it will be still probably sudden and a near surprise.

Perhaps behavioral clues are the best - as I doubt most Bg's are that hard that they can show no nervousness - so I reckon this is what I study most.

So - any tips, thoughts? Can we spot a BG, reliably.?
 
See less See more
#27 ·
Zach,

Keep in mind that SUNGLASSES is a general observation based on a common sample of day dwellers. There are always exceptions to every rule.

Unless you are a coalminer you probably work with some sort of incandescent light even on 3rd shift.

Take the glasses off before you pay with a check or a credit card and you'll probably be ignored by the guy manning CCTV camera.

Mike
 
#28 ·
Well, the lighting in my plant sucks. I dont wear them indoors habitually, but if I'm just in the store for a minute I dont bother taking them off.

Ironicly, I've never been asked for ID when using my bank card. I write about one check a month since I cant make the house payments online.

I dont care how many security guys are watching me, as long as they leave me alone. Outside of the Asheville Mall, which I mentioned in another thread, I've never had any problems.
 
#29 ·
Some words of wisdom (LOL) from a long time biker

I havebeen a biker for more years than I can remember (at leats since I as old enough to ride) and a Hells Angel for the last 22 year. The one sure sign of a troublemaker I have found is the dude that gets chummy right off the bat. 9 times out of 10 he's trying to work an angle. Either that or he's trying to set me up for sdomething. Either way I make tracks outta there.
 
#30 ·
Tweakers

I may be getting old but these new meth addicts scare me to death. Every night on the news some very normal looking dude is on TV having killed God knows how many friends or relatives or little kids or whatever. Oh, and he was on meth. These meth heads are constantly on the prowl for cash. Just watch 'em, they can't stand still and they are always looking for an easy mark. They usually have sores on their face or hands and seem to me to be emaciated. No need for +P loads with these guys! This drug is turning average people into future targets. I only hope that if I get into a lead throwing contest with one they can even feel it if I hit 'em. Not good!
 
#31 ·
Betty raises some good points, although I think she was followed by a rookie, her ted bundy theory does hold weight if one pays attention.

Is the perp too well dressed for the environment? A little to eager to engage in conversation? ( nervous chatter ) A tad too innocent, yet insistent? Asks a lot of questions?

Like I said before...........listen to your instincts folks. They warn you for a reason.

Mike
 
#32 ·
Two Hugs and a Kiss

rpgrigsby said:
I only hope that if I get into a lead throwing contest with one they can even feel it if I hit 'em. Not good!
Remember the theory behind the FAILURE TO STOP drill: Two to the chest and one to the head makes 'em DEAD.
 
#33 ·
I had a situation not to long ago that got me a tad spun up. I stopped for gas in a location I had never been before. I had my Makarov in the center console of the car. I pulled up and as I was cleaning up the trash in the car I noticed a guy doing a ghetto type walk towards my car. At this point all the bells in my head were going off, kind of a "Danger, Danger Will Robinson" type feeling. As I kept cleaning out my car he was glaring at me and menacingly walking towards me. I could only see his eyes and his gate as it was dark and he was black (don't take this as a racist comment in any way). At this point I just could tell something was wrong and I sat up and grabbed my Makarov and started to slide in into the inner pocket of my jacket. I made sure not to flash the gun, but he seemed to pickup on the action. His eyes got real wide and he did an about face and scurried off. Needless to say that my heart was racing as he got within about 10 feet of me.

I have never been the paranoid type and tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, but my gut told me something was horribly wrong in this situation. I have never been so glad in my life that I had a pistol with me as I did at that moment. This solidified my opinion that I should be armed at all times and have been ever since except when I go to places where they disarm the citizenry like NJ and NY. All I know is I am greatful that I did not have to use my gun, but even more greatful I had it with me.
 
#35 · (Edited)
I don't like to do errands in banks and stores so frequently my wife is kind to me and I just wait in the truck. At the time I was shooting about every day at the range and would wear a baseball style hat with Wilson Combat on it or something like it pulled down to protect my face and a dungree jacket with the collar up to help shield my neck when shooting. So that pretty much became my standard dress during the day. One day as I was waiting in my little pickup at the bank for the wife I noticed a women approaching me on the drivers side, at the same time seen a guy to the right rear of the truck back a few yards. She had a stance like you would be prepared to draw a weapon and as I rolled the window down some she asked what type of mens shaving stuff do I use we are doing a survey for a company. I suppose my response being shove off more or less was an OK one and they moved on. You see we have a fair number of banks robbed and I bet they were a special bank detail but no doubt about it they were prepared for bear!
 
#38 ·
Everyone I know, and I know a few that smoke a pipe are carrying concealed.
Hahahahaha - dang it Corey - welcome dude! :smile: Good to see you - even if you are bigotted against us pipe smokers LOL. :biggrin:

I guess that's only the first ''dig'' toward me - stand by folks - there'll be more! :wink:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BTW guys, Corey is numero uno at the IDPA club - he is a Glock specialist and - damned fast!!! I only give praise to him very reluctantly cos he always gives me a hard time but hey - can't deny his proficiency! :smile:
 
#40 ·
Cons

Waldo0506 said:
The only downside to having the "gift" of reading eyes is that the truly derranged look calm and normal.
Know what I found while I was a Probation & Parole Officer? Hardened felons tend to have "emotionless" eyes, too. They are total manipulators and can turn "on" and "off" depending on the "need" to show emotion to gain leverage. Cons lie even when telling the truth is obviously in their own best interests.
 
#41 ·
I don't have the same experience many of you have and the experience I do have I'd rather forget. I learned some things from your comments and knew a few too.

I always check my orientation, i.e., where my back is. In strange cities overseas I might pull up and lean back against a wall and just, well, look around and especially back along the path I'd come.

I've always practiced looking directly into the eyes of someone who catches my attention for whatever reason. I'm never in bars and don't drink, but in my old days, looking at someone like that could rile up a drunk, but I think eye to eye contact with someone checking you out can disarm them.

Now the next one I don't recommend casually, however, I've been in a few situations when it was me and a group of folks who are like I used to be. Instead of seeking an exit, I began to witness to them about the Lord. Again, not a strategy anyone might use but it's actually opened doors and made me welcome in areas that I felt very vulnerable in.

I also believe most threats could have been avoided by choices made earlier in the day/evening by choosing different activities, places, or people to be with. It's kind of like accidents, you can break the change by making a different choice before the accident happens. I know a BG can show up anywhere, anytime, but they typically don't. If you think about it, BG's are normally hunting, just like I hunt deer. So if I avoid BG hunting grounds I'm less likely to encounter one. I've killed deer at 12:00 noon but by far the majority were early morning or late evening. BG's will statistically tend to hunt more at certain times than others. Are we ever totally safe? NO, but, choices we make lead us into place, times, or into the company of individuals who put us at greater risk.

I don't want to offend anyone, but if you don't go to bars or around groups that are drinking you're less likely to encouter trouble. If you're not out in bad parts of town at midnight, you're better off.

We all make many choices that add up to lifestyles; lifestyles have certain degrees of risk. I think about avoiding higher risk times, places and people now that I'm less inclinded to "push the envelope" and to live along the edges. I guess that's what happens when we get older, get married, have children, and know the Lord.

I think the thing I'm most likely to stumble upon is walking into a convenience store at the wrong time!

And since I just started riding a motorcycle, I've felt more at risk when you're just sitting there in the open at a stop light! Still thinking about how/if to carry when riding.

Well, you all have a good evening!

Gideon
 
#42 ·
Gideon, check your private mail on site

Gideon said:
Now the next one I don't recommend casually, however, I've been in a few situations when it was me and a group of folks who are like I used to be. Instead of seeking an exit, I began to witness to them about the Lord. Again, not a strategy anyone might use but it's actually opened doors and made me welcome in areas that I felt very vulnerable in.

Amen, Brother! You ROCK with the Angels...

If you think about it, BG's are normally hunting, just like I hunt deer. So if I avoid BG hunting grounds I'm less likely to encounter one. I've killed deer at 12:00 noon but by far the majority were early morning or late evening.

Ah, but did the deer come to your front door asking to be harvested? No, you had to go out and find them. Same with the BG's. They know that the juiciest victims are not to be found in their 'Hood, so they go where they're likely to be found like the supermarket in the up-scale areas.

I guess that's what happens when we get older, get married, have children, and know the Lord.

Again I thunder it from the mountaintop: AMEN!

And since I just started riding a motorcycle, I've felt more at risk when you're just sitting there in the open at a stop light! Still thinking about how/if to carry when riding.

There are a number of Biker types here. I recently saw a thread on this. IIRC, there is a nondescript "thigh pouch" that clips to your belt that is to be used for documents, but could easily hold a handgun.....

Well, you all have a good evening!
Gideon
I'm off to church to thank the Lord for all of YOU!
 
#44 ·
rocky said:
..........Better watch me close though, I have a tattoo..................and a gun. lol.
:eek: So does my hubby!! :wink:

Reading this thread got me thinking....my son is very tattooed, and pierced, is bi-polar and has social anxiety disorder which makes him somewhat paraniod and nervous in public, especially crowds. (one would think he would want to tone down the attention drawn to himself by his appearance!) But he is kind and considerate and is well liked by many and does not like confrontation. I KNOW that "profiling" (stereotyping) has its place, I just pray that no one will jump to conclusions about him.
 
#45 ·
Mrs Bakeryman said:
:eek: So does my hubby!! :wink:

Reading this thread got me thinking....my son is very tattooed, and pierced, is bi-polar and has social anxiety disorder which makes him somewhat paraniod and nervous in public, especially crowds. (one would think he would want to tone down the attention drawn to himself by his appearance!) But he is kind and considerate and is well liked by many and does not like confrontation. I KNOW that "profiling" (stereotyping) has its place, I just pray that no one will jump to conclusions about him.
In today's environment, yup, people (GGs) will draw conclusions about your son, but that's okay too. Key words here are observation and awareness. Your son (another GG) is not posing a threat. What others have been posting is all directed at recognizing a threat and being prepared to respond, whether it is exiting the situation, or, if unable, being ready to protect themselves. When the "assumed BG" (your son perhaps) goes on about his business, the threat level goes down and the GGs continues on their way....always observing and being aware of the next encounter. People that "draw attention" to themselves certainly make the observation and awareness an easy task....it is the "Ted Bundy" types that pose the harder problem. :tongue:
 
#46 ·
Prospector said:
In today's environment, yup, people (GGs) will draw conclusions about your son, but that's okay too. Key words here are observation and awareness. Your son (another GG) is not posing a threat. What others have been posting is all directed at recognizing a threat and being prepared to respond, whether it is exiting the situation, or, if unable, being ready to protect themselves. When the "assumed BG" (your son perhaps) goes on about his business, the threat level goes down and the GGs continues on their way....always observing and being aware of the next encounter. People that "draw attention" to themselves certainly make the observation and awareness an easy task....it is the "Ted Bundy" types that pose the harder problem. :tongue:
Never thought of it that way but you're right!

What a great thread this is!
 
#47 ·
LPguy said:
...Anyone who hides the eyes behind glasses or under a hat is almost always up to something.

Mike
Hmm. I wear a plain, black leather hat, almost all the time (outdoors). When I'm not wearing that, I wear a baseball cap. I've been wearing a hat since I went off to military school at age 12. I have blue-grey eyes that are sensitive to glare and bright light. The hat shades my eyes. The sunglasses I wear protect against glare. Sometimes, I wear them indoors, if the light is really bothering me, or if I just forget to take them off. I also wear a beat up old leather jacket (featured in my avatar). And my shoulder-length hair is gathered in a tie. The beard my wife asked me to grow is a little unruly. I frequently hear little kids whisper "Mommy! Look at the REAL cowboy!" But I guess I add a little excitement to an otherwise dull day for those of you who suspect anyone who "hides" behind glasses or under a hat or behind a beard. Am I always up to something? Not always. But sometimes. Maybe.
 
#48 ·
I really hate to say it, but yeah, I guess I do profile a little in this manner. Whenever I see people dressed like this at my workplace, I usually shadow them for a while and 6 or 7 times out of 10, I catch them doing something wrong and throw 'em out. And its got nothing to do with race, its a behavior pattern. I've seen blacks, hispanics, whites, and even asians dressed 'gangsta' style. But its not just the clothing, its a demeanor, a certain way of carrying one's self that I key in on.
 
#49 ·
Bravo - hey - welcome :smile:

Your post reminds me of one other thing re ''gangsta'' dressed folks - I find I profile considerably thru their manner of walking - the ones I watch most closely tend I feel to exhibit a certain (and sloppy) swagger - a punk-like mode if you will.

Too much stereotyping? Possibly but - it does strike me as showing some degree of consistency! I'll assess and judge first - on the safe side - but ready to change view as soon as proven wrong.
 
#50 ·
Some other things to look for- People who are carrying who are not used to it will touch the weapon through their clothes, both to assure themselves that it hasn't fallen out of their waistbands, and to keep it in what they feel to be a proper position for a smooth quick draw.

Also watch the way the jacket or coat hangs. A pistol in a pocket will cause the pocket to hang straight down and not flop around a lot (Of course, so will a bunch of keys)

As someone else mentioned- innapropriate clothing for the weather should send up red flags.

look for bulges where there should be none. Why is there a bump in the middle of that guy's back?

Listen for the metallic clunk when the guy sits down, or bumps into something.

Depending on the size of the weapon being carried, the person may walk with a limp, or an unusual gait caused by the barrell digging into his leg or hip.

I stopped a gangsta looking guy once who was limping- turned out he had a shotgun stuffed down the right leg of his pants.

Most people pay absolutely no attention to the people around them. A person carrying illegally is depending on not being noticed by the general public.

Oh, by the way, greetings from the People's Republic of Massachusetts. There are some normal people living here.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top