We tell the armed citizen that it is important to keep an eye on a potential threat until the issue is resolved one way or another. One of the best places to focus our attention is on the individual’s hands. While the person may not be holding an obvious weapon, we can still learn a lot by watching their hands and develop information that can become important should the potential threat become an actual threat.
One of the first things that I look for is a wristwatch. Most people wear these on their non-dominant wrist, which means that the other hand is probably the one that the person will use to throw a punch or access a weapon. If no wristwatch is present, I look for the hand that is being used to gesture with or using to hold or pick up items. It is that dominant hand that will probably hold the danger if trouble starts.
You may notice that those who are new to concealed carry often seem insecure about carrying the defensive handgun. Often they are continually touching it, through their concealment garment, to make sure it is secure and in place. By watching the newbie, you can quickly determine if they are carrying on the hip, in a pocket, shoulder holster or whatever. It is generally just a nervous movement due to lack of personal security that will fade with time.
However, the criminal may be in the same boat and nervousness may cause him to make the same tell-tale moves. You don’t know for sure that he is armed, but the chances of that being the case have certainly increased and he may be just trying to get his nerve up and make a move. It may be an indication that you need to get closer to cover, exit the scene or notify authorities. One thing’s for sure, though, it is an indication that you really need to keep an eye on this guy.
One real concern for the armed citizen is the stranger who approaches you with one hand in his pocket, or behind his back or otherwise concealed. I would not let this person get very close to me. I may be able to stop him by engaging him in conversation, or I may want to put some sort of cover between us. Either way, he is going to have my full attention until I determine what is going on and what the threat level might be. Situations like this are also a good argument for carrying some sort of less-lethal defensive tool in addition to the firearm.
There is no doubt that keeping a potential threat under observation is an important defensive technique. And watching their hands is a big part in developing advance notice of what is about to occur.
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