by Brian D. » Fri Aug 25, 2017 1:22 pm
Today, something a little more on topic. This morning found me in a small upscale outdoors store in Hyde park, which is one of Cincinnati's nicest neighborhoods. The shop has some clothing items that are well built and happen to work well for concealment, if one feels like splurging a bit. I was talking with a clerk about belts and suspenders, reminding him of my preferences due to normally toting a medium or full size gun. A plainclothes Cincinnati Police investigator had come in and overheard/eavesdropped on the conversation. (I don't know or care which, that's what they do for a living.)
He came up, introduced himself, and said he'd have never known I was carrying a gun at all, much less a full sized one. He asked to see my belt gear. So I lifted up my untucked button down shirt and let him have a look. He shook his head and complimented how well concealed everything was. (A Glock model 22, two spare magazines, and a Surefire type flashlight.) He said his department's trainers often insisted that a sport or suit coat was necessary to cover up the gear. My reply was that was certainly the case with a duty belt and all the other stuff the uniformed guys typically carry, but not so much plainclothes and detective personnel, at least to my way of thinking. For the PD bosses it's probably about maintaining some kind of dress code minimum standards, and the trainers just pass that down. Anyhow, we talked a little more, with him sort of picking my brain a bit.
He concluded by saying that he thought of the store we were in only as a place to find fly fishing gear, since that was his thing away from work. But now he'd give consideration to some of the shirts, vests, etc. they sold as well.
This is the only time I can recall giving carry clothing advice to a police officer, or at least the first time one ever asked me.
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.