Full Fanny Pack sighting at the Mall

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Glenn E. Meyer

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It's sale time, so off I go to the mall. As I wander through the crowds. I see a gentleman. He looks a touch yuppy-ish. This is a higher end mall. Skinny with glasses. Nice slacks, blue oxford shirt and :

A big old black fanny pack on a tactical belt - hung at navel level. With a clearly visible wallet in his back pocket. He stands with arms crossed outside the lady's shoe store (yes, dear - I'll wait) scanning the crowd with a hard look.

Just back from Thundersite's Tactial IV - Mall scenarios course?

Now thousands of folks stroll by with floppy shirts, fleece vest, jackets, etc - all of which could conceal numerous firearms with discretion.
 
I see that guy from time to time at shopping malls and outdoor festivals.

The other guy I see alot is the guy wearing the 5.11 tactical pants/shorts, Danner boots and a SigArms vest and Glock hat.

I try not to be either guy.
 
OK , Yes I actualy still have 1 of those fanny packs. Yes I wore it a few times untill I relized the exact thing you are talking about. I still have it and use it as a boat bag for all my posessions while I am out fishing. But I never wear it.
Many years, and many training courses later I reflect on those days of first carry.
Now casual wear and good concealed holsters are much more descrete.

Never was a window licker. I did meet a paste eater the other day.
 
Thats the question that many will debate here for a while. How do you conceal a weapon without giving off those visual cues? Even if you are legally carrying it, then you still dont want to give off those visual cues.
 
Tha last thing I want to do is stand out while carrying concealed...it kind of defeats the purpose.

Act normally
Blend in
Back to a wall as often as possible
Always know where the nearest cover and exit are
Remain vigilant


I usually carry in a jacket pocket or a MountainSmith fanny pack over one shoulder...never around the waist...yes, it's my man-purse!
 
Thats the question that many will debate here for a while. How do you conceal a weapon without giving off those visual cues? Even if you are legally carrying it, then you still dont want to give off those visual cues.
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You pretty much carry it in plain sight...but not actually in sight. Put your gun on, put a shirt over it, stop worrying about it, and nobody's going to notice. People start trying to figure out what you're concealing when you act like you're concealing something.
 
My fanny pack is an everyday part of my wardrobe. If I were a CCW I probably wouldn't use it. But, I carry a lot of gear----cuffs, extra magazine, flashlight, multi-tool. Very easy to just keep the pack ready to go. The guy in OP sounds like me, I am always scanning people, which is why being UC is hard for me. I look and act like a cop.
 
I agree with Hondo11. A good inside the waist holster, a loose untucked shirt, and a normal look & attitude an you blend right in.
I also have a very low ride inside waist holster with a J clip and you can actualy have a tucked dress shirt with a slight roll over fold at the waistline and no one will ever know.
Once you wear it for a while all of the consiousness of it being visable will go away.
 
"Acting normally" is the most challenging part. Even if you are very aware of your behavior, there are still things you might do that will clue people in that you are carrying. Some people are very observant and can see even the smallest details. It might be an expression on your face or the way your hand seems to gravitate to one area of your body as if its checking something.

This is why you never want to conceal carry without following the law in that regard (i.e. obtaining a permit). An officer will know that you are carrying just the way you are conducting yourself.

Take a look at those police stops on COPS. They pull somone over and to the layman it looks like the driver did nothing wrong. Then they start searching the car and come up with all these weapons.
 
The fanny pack/tactical belt combo is one of the many "not really concealed" combos, fooling only the oblivious, and even giving some of them pause to wonder. Interestingly enough, they are frequently sported by folks who insist photographer's vests or un-tucked shirts to be dead give aways.

Disclaimer: I have a small Hawk-pack, used while jogging, etc.
 
one guy told me once if you're going to use a phanny pack then get a red one so instead of looking like you're packing you just look like a goober. of course now you look more like an easy target and it might not be hard for a decent pickpocket to undo the buckle and snatch your pack before you can react and he probably doesn't even know whats in it.
 
I like the fanny packs

not a big fan of the sloppy look, I would prefer open carry personally.
More comfortable in hot weather.
I doubt that criminals are that smart, if they are, they're looking for people with more money than me.

Cops? I carried in CA for years and the C.O.T.U.S was my only permit
never had a problem because I was never nervous.
 
People who aren't "gun savvy" will not notice a gun unless they see it. Most of the world is oblivious. You could be wearing a Glock jogging suit, a hat and complete the look with shooting gloves and the general populace would never blink an eye. They're called "Sheeple" for a reason.
 
People who aren't "gun savvy" will not notice a gun unless they see it.
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+1 to that post! You'll THINK your weapon is visible or printing a LOT more than it ever will be.

Of the 10 who DO make you as "carrying"... Eight will think you're some type of LEO and ignore you. One will be a BG who suddenly decides it's not the day to stick up McDonalds. One will be another CW carrier who will say to himself, "I am not alone today."

Every now and then, you'll run across the guy who wants to be a big man for his SO or wants to inflict his opinions on everyone else or wants to inflate his ego by making trouble. Deflect his comments and actions quietly. Don't argue with him, don't allow him to make a scene. If you have to, call a cop. YOU'RE the one who's legal - he's harassing.
 
I had and used one before they were so common now I use it to go to the airportI put my wallet, badge case regular badgeevreything from my pockets and when I get to the screening area my wife goes first then I put it and my shoes on the X ray belt and walk through with my velcro backed leather belt not having to hold my pants up.
 
and pocket protector
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A nerd pack?:D

Seriously, the only time I carry a fanny pack is when on vacation, and I want my wallet in front of me. Then, in go the wallet AND firearm. Saves on finding another place for the firearm also. I've got a leather one that works perfectly.
 
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