GlockTalk is a gun forum that is a great resource for gun owners. I recently read a post by Steve LaBelle and asked him to contribute to the blog. Here is part one:

If you are serious about carrying a concealed sidearm you must consider the equipment and clothing necessary. For inside the waistband carry a quality holster is top on the list with a stout belt to handle the extra weight.

Choose clothing that hides the gun, avoiding possible “printing” where the gun caused a bulge or the outline of the gun is visible. Be careful when moving, stretching or reaching not to allow your shirt or jacket to pull up and expose your gun. Be very conscious not to bend over at the waist and allow the butt of the gun to print through the back of your shirt, jacket or vest. You know that already, right?

Nearly everyone makes excellent choices to enable them to conceal the gun very well. That’s good. Some people, however, have a bad set of habits that ”tell” the world they are carrying concealed. What are you doing that gives you away?

All too often the ability to carefully conceal leads to the misconception that the hidden gun is a secret no one could possibly know it is there. This misconception can lead to a false sense of security. Unfortunately, there are other, more subtle things, that give the secret away. These are called “tells.” This is a term borrowed from professional poker players who read little signs in an opponent’s face and body language as clues whether they have a winning hand or are bluffing. Just like poker players, people who carry a concealed firearm also exhibit “tells.”

Many are behaviors done without realizing they are happening. However, it must be noted that a “tell” is not proof positive but only an indicator that a gun is probably present. Although several “tells” occurring at the same time or within a short period of time are a very strong indication a gun is being carried. The FBI has a formal training course for law enforcement concerning this very thing. I’ll post a link to a short overview of the FBI course in part two of this post.

Common sense dictates that if law enforcement entities are aware of these “tells” and use them in identifying people who are likely to be carrying a gun, then criminals are also aware of them, and use them when choosing, or avoiding, likely victims.

Be sure to read part II which will list the common “tells” that shout “gun” to careful observers. You certainly can’t afford to broadcast “he’s got a gun!” to the general public. In addition, you don’t want to have to deal with a police officer even though you are carrying legally. At a minimum, it wastes your time and his.