In the past half-decade or so, I’ve posted a fair number of tactical tips about firearms concealed in places as varied as men’s boxer shorts and women’s bras (go ahead guess which of those two items has the highest web traffic).
Lately I’ve begun to collect images and videos of firearms cleverly concealed in vehicle passenger compartments. There truly are some MacGyver-like creations out there on our streets.
Let’s start with two such items for today.
I know almost nothing about the either image other than the fact each has been sent to me by a handful of my pen pals, and that both appear to be home-made solutions installed into a civilian vehicles.
As you can see, each holster is affixed securely into place where a driver would have “reason” to reach during a stop.
Some may say they’re getting their license and registration from the center console (as in the image above), or that they need to reach into their left back pocket to get those things (as in the image below). More worrisome, of course, would be the assailant accessing these concealed firearms before you even step out of your squad car.
About a year ago I posted a column in which we discussed traffic stop safety tips and tactics.
As I wrote then, the “top two rules” I hear most frequently from police trainers with whom I talk on such topics are as follows:
Watch the Hands — Controlling the subject’s hands is the most-critical element for officer safety in just about every circumstance, so insist your violator put his or her hands on the wheel or the dashboard.
Be Ready — Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to use all necessary force — including deadly force — on everyone you meet.
Check out my column from May 2013 for a bunch of other thoughts about traffic stop safety tips and tactics. Add your own ideas in the comments area below.
As 2014 continues to unfold, I intend to increase the frequency with which I post tactical tips of this nature to the secure, LEO-only section of the site.
To do so, however, I need your help. Send me an email with the image (or video) attached. Provide me with as much information as possible, and let me know if you’d like me to include your name and agency in the tip (obviously not required).
Stay safe out there my friends.
