Speedo66
Member
Early '70's I was a young, relatively new officer and carried a round butt Chief in an inside holster off duty. My wife and I were up in Harlem one summer day, going to the Museum of the American Indian, which used to be located there at 155th St. and Broadway.
As we approached, someone grabbed my strong side wrist in a solid grip, put a gold NYPD detective shield in front of me, and asked me why I was carrying a gun. I looked over, and up, and there was a rather large African-American individual there in plain clothes. Obviously, my gun under a t-shirt was printing.
I produced a shield and ID and he released my arm. I was extremely embarrassed. There are very few legal carry permits in NYC, he told me I had to be more careful in not broadcasting that I was carrying. I took his advice to heart and have tried very hard since not to print.
I later realized how dangerous my mistake was, he could have just as easily grabbed my gun and I could have been shot up there. Harlem at that time was pretty nasty and I was definitely not practicing good situational awareness.
OP, my advice would be if your intent is to carry concealed, make sure you do a good job of it. Depending on your location, printing can get you hurt.
As we approached, someone grabbed my strong side wrist in a solid grip, put a gold NYPD detective shield in front of me, and asked me why I was carrying a gun. I looked over, and up, and there was a rather large African-American individual there in plain clothes. Obviously, my gun under a t-shirt was printing.
I produced a shield and ID and he released my arm. I was extremely embarrassed. There are very few legal carry permits in NYC, he told me I had to be more careful in not broadcasting that I was carrying. I took his advice to heart and have tried very hard since not to print.
I later realized how dangerous my mistake was, he could have just as easily grabbed my gun and I could have been shot up there. Harlem at that time was pretty nasty and I was definitely not practicing good situational awareness.
OP, my advice would be if your intent is to carry concealed, make sure you do a good job of it. Depending on your location, printing can get you hurt.