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Beware a suspect’s crossed arms

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According to the company’s website (from which we pulled the image above), “The ArmsBand Concealed Carry Holster straps the handgun to the underside of the upper arm positioned similar to a shoulder holster, for easy cross draw under the sleeve of a short sleeved shirt.”

A suspect crossing his arms may signal more these days than a defiant attitude. It could mean a potentially deadly threat.

Consider the “novel, new, and convenient” rig that allows a subject to carry a handgun strapped to his upper arm, hidden under the sleeve of a short-sleeved shirt “for easy draw.”

Called the ArmsBand Concealed Carry Holster, this is a wide strip of black, Velcro-ed elastic that wraps around the bicep. It features a pocket, positioned on the inside of the upper arm, into which a revolver or pistol can be inserted, cross-draw fashion.

“When carrying in public,” the manufacturer advises, “you can stand with your arms folded across your chest, holding the shooting hand under the carry bicep on the grip of the handgun without drawing any suspicion from anyone,” even easing the weapon partially out. “From this position, drawing and firing is actually faster than clearing your jacket and drawing from the waist.”

Promotional material cropping up in various gun magazines points out that this hidden carry can be “conveniently” used at home as well as on the street — “of particular benefit for single women.”

The rig is ideal for snub-nosed revolvers and “ host of” small semiautos, it’s claimed. A redesign is promised soon to accommodate larger handguns, including Glock subcompacts.

Be aware of the officer-safety implications of this product. Besides ordering hands out of pockets, your contact checklist needs to include getting arms uncrossed as well, delivering your commands from behind cover if possible.

For more details on the ArmsBand Holster, check the manufacturer’s website at: www.armsband.com.

[Our thanks to MPO Tom Moy of the University of Delaware PD for bringing this item to our attention.]

Charles Remsberg has joined the Police1 team as a Senior Contributor. He co-founded the original Street Survival Seminar and the Street Survival Newsline, authored three of the best-selling law enforcement training textbooks, and helped produce numerous award-winning training videos.