Situational awareness is part of the defensive mindset, and one thing to be aware of in any environment is if someone is armed. Therefore, it behooves a person to learn how to tell if someone is armed, as being aware is getting one step ahead of being unaware.
Granted, you can't detect intentions, as an armed person may simply be just another law-abiding concealed carrier like yourself. They also might not be. However, here are some tips, tricks and things to look for.
Behaviors that Indicate a Concealed Handgun
People carrying a concealed handgun tend to exhibit certain behaviors. These behaviors are common among people who are engaged in lawful and unlawful carry; you will never be able to discern intent or lawful carry by any of the telltale signs that a person is carrying a gun.
Here are a few of the signs to watch for:
Shortened gait on strong side. One of the telltale signs is a slightly truncated gait on one side of the body. Most likely it will be on the right side; more than 90 percent of the population is, after all, right-handed.
Carrying a firearm on the strong side, especially in a holster on the waistband, may cause a person to shorten their stride, both consciously and unconsciously due to the presence of something on or about their leg that normally wouldn't be there.
They make a "security feel" check. If a person seems to be touching a particular area often, and again it will often be on the right side on or about the hip, there's a good chance that's a "security check" or possibly a spot adjustment. It's especially common among newer carriers and people who aren't carrying with a sufficiently strong .
Turning the strong side away from approaching people. If you notice a person that tends to turn their strong side away from people as they approach, that's a likely indicator they're concealing something. For instance, it's common for people carrying to only give "side hugs" with their weak side.
Resting hand on the gun. If a person is resting a hand in an odd location, it's a good indicator that that person is armed.
Concealed Carry Clothing Indicators
There are also some obvious concealed carry clothing signs, or in other words aspects of a person's clothing that can indicate that they're carrying a concealed firearm. This can be how they dress, or how their clothing appears.
- Bulges in natural places for concealed pistols. The most natural concealed carry positions are on the strong side hip, between the 1:30 and 5:30 positions and with or without a holster. Look for obvious bulges, which would be caused by something larger than the mere contours of the body or how the clothing lays on the body. Bulges through outerwear or even less mistakable.
- Style or size of clothing doesn't match other clothing. Notice a sweater or jacket that's oversized or doesn't necessarily fit with what a person is wearing? It could be concealing a gun. Often enough, people will have a favored garment that reliably conceals to their satisfaction; however, it may only match with certain outfits. A clearly oversized shirt, sweater or jacket is also a telltale sign. Someone's wearing a trench coat on Memorial Day? They're probably concealing something.
- Open jackets in cold weather, closed garments in hot weather. If a person is walking around with an open jacket, whilst inclement indicates doing so is a likely sign of mental illness...good chance they're carrying. If a person is wearing a fall jacket in July...they carrying. Or they need to get to a doctor.
Other Indicators of an Armed Person
There are some other indicators of an armed person to be aware of. For instance, if you see Glock and NRA bumper stickers, tactical pants and boots and a "Second Amendment" T-shirt on a person who works in an office...good chance they're carrying.
Another good indicator is a stiff strong-side arm. If one arm is clearly rigid and carried stiffly, that's a common signal of a concealed gun as well.
While these are some of the most reliable indicators of whether a person is armed, there is something that you can't discern from any of these signs: the intent of the person carrying. That's impossible to know. They could be merely another concerned citizen, lawfully carrying a firearm for the purposes of self-defense. They could be an undercover or plainclothes policeman. They could be a maniac.
Once someone figures out how to read minds...we'll get right on teaching people how to do that.
FAQs
What are common behavioral signs that someone might be armed?
An armed individual often exhibits a behavior called a "security feel," where they periodically touch or adjust the location where their weapon is carried. This can include subtle touching, feeling, or adjusting motions on the waistband or holster area, often done consciously or subconsciously. A stiffer or shorter arm swing on the weapon side during walking, protective turning of the armed side away from others, and guarding movements such as placing the arm across the body are also common cues.
How can clothing choices indicate if someone is hiding a weapon?
Look for clothing that doesn't fit the environment, such as heavy jackets in warm weather, unzipped coats, or wearing only one glove. Baggy or loose clothing often used to conceal weapons can create uneven dips or bulges. A shirt worn untucked is a frequent indicator of a concealed holster underneath. Additionally, sagging jackets with visible outlines or weight pulling down on pockets can betray the presence of a firearm.
Which side of the body do most people carry concealed firearms?
Approximately 88% of people are right-handed, and the majority tend to carry their firearms on the right front waistband, making that the most common armed side. Observing dominant hand indicators such as watch placement on the left wrist can help predict the strong side and where someone might carry a weapon.
What gait or movement changes might reveal someone is armed?
When carrying a weapon, individuals may exhibit a shorter arm and leg stride on the gun side, a stiffer or reduced arm swing, or uneven movement to protect or accommodate the firearm. They may also turn their body to shield the weapon side in crowds or when walking past others or doorways.
How do armed individuals often behave during vehicle stops or in close interactions?
They might use subtle movements like raising a shoulder to access a weapon or bending to hide the firearm under a seat. Protective gestures like covering the gun area with an elbow or keeping the arm close to the body help conceal the weapon during close contact.
What visual indicators can help spot the outline or bulge of a concealed firearm?
A keen observer can notice bulges or outline shapes under clothes, especially with tight or form-fitting garments. Weapon handles or holsters may distort the body's natural line or create unusual protrusions. Movement of a concealed gun when the person walks—for example, swinging or swaying—also serves as a clue.
Why is it important to pay attention to both conscious and unconscious behaviors?
People often subconsciously adjust or touch concealed weapons without realizing it, making such actions reliable indicators of being armed. These nonverbal cues can be more trustworthy than verbal statements, as suspects might lie about carrying weapons but struggle to control their body language.
How can observing environmental and contextual cues improve detection of armed individuals?
Noticing mismatches between clothing and environment, unusual attire for the weather, or bulky garments in inappropriate settings may signal concealment attempts. Also, the presence of bags, hooded clothing, or unusual habits like consistently keeping a hand near the waistline can elevate suspicion of concealed weapons.
What should security personnel and civilians do when they suspect someone is armed?
Maintain awareness and distance while avoiding confrontation. Use these cues as part of comprehensive security procedures, reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement when appropriate. Employing trained visual weapons screening techniques can help prevent potential violence by early identification of armed individuals.
Can technology assist in detecting armed persons?
Advanced systems like AI-based weapons detection can provide discreet, efficient screening in high-traffic areas beyond human observation limits. However, reliance on behavioral and visual cues remains essential for immediate recognition and response in real-world situations.