Hand on holstered gun while issuing STOP!

[seamusTX]

When you reach for your belt line without actually producing an object, it creates doubt in the mind of a potential attacker. He does not know if you are reaching for a handgun, a knife, a cell phone, or a police badge.

The average mugger or thug really needs little encouragement to move on. They can always find an easier victim.

If you are the target of hardened ninja assassins or a Mafia hit man, you have a different set of problems.

- Jim

[The Annoyed Man]

If you are the target of hardened ninja assassins or a Mafia hit man, you have a different set of problems.

- Jim

You left out evil aliens who want to probe you, and zombies.

[USA1]

If you are the target of hardened ninja assassins or a Mafia hit man, you have a different set of problems.

- Jim

You left out evil aliens who want to probe you, and zombies.

In that case, resort to plan B. Scream like a twelve year old girl and run like the wind!
When it comes to staying alive or avoiding being probed, there's no shame in my game.

[b322da]

Personally, if the threat is that imminent, then I'm willing to live with the risk of legal liability if putting my hand on my gun buys me .5 seconds of reaction time. I also would likely rotate my body to present weak side to the other person; partly to obscure the gun while still telegraphing intent to defend with a firearm, and partly to put as much distance between the other guy and my gun as possible as a retention strategy.

Also, this is why I like shoulder holster carry in cold weather. It lets you get you hand on your gun while still keeping the gun concealed, and while still telegraphing a serious "come no closer" message. Shoulder holster carry has other compromises, but in this particular application, I think it is actually superior to belt carry.

On the other hand, TAM, the left hand, in the OP, already "telegraphed a come no closer" message. If your motion of your right hand toward a possible handgun "telegraphs a serious come no closer message," then it might appear to some that the clear and unmistakeable intention of moving your right hand toward a possible handgun is to telegraph a threat.

I take no position on the original question, as it is too general and begs for more information about the little things which might call for different answers. I just wanted to point out what a reasonable observer, the recipient of the message "telegraphed," or perhaps even an LEO, might construe the intended message to be.

On the other hand, it is my opinion that the first sentence of your reply, above, describes the true dilemma. That sentence clearly explains to me why you are willing to accept the possibility of your right hand's movement perhaps being considered a threat. The critical question of personal judgment is how you personally perceive the seriousness of the threat and how imminent you perceive it to be. You have put your finger on what really matters here, when one might say you have found yourself between a hole and a hard place -- between an academic legal answer and a practical self-defense answer. It has become decision-time, as you rightly point out, and there is in my opinion no common "right answer," given the multitude of situations possible.

[seamusTX]

No one approaches a stranger on the street or in a parking lot with good intentions. At best they are religious proselytizers, some whom are scammy, or trying to sell junk.

You can pretty much tell when someone has been sleeping in their clothes or has prison tattoos.

- Jim

[PRO]

Not long ago, in Austin on 6th street, a female beggar approached a couple and asked them for money. When the couple refused, the beggar pulled out a knife and eventually slashed the throat of the female. No one knows when and how a self defense scenario can or will happen. Doesn’t it make sense to be prepared and display a strong defense posture before the situation occurs? As long as I’m just reaching inside my shirt and gripping my handgun, (which is out of view in the shoulder holster), no one knows that I did anything but put my hand inside my shirt.

[SlickTX]

Turning your strong side away and griping your weapon, at least in my mind, is not a threat so much as it is a defensive measure. You could be reaching for a cell phone, car fob to hit the alarm button, can of mace, etc. You have not threatened force to the one approaching you, but you have put yourself into a position to react to and neutralize any force brought to bear on you. You have also demonstrated your alertness to those wanting an inattentive victim.

[PRO]

Turning your strong side away and griping your weapon, at least in my mind, is not a threat so much as it is a defensive measure. You could be reaching for a cell phone, car fob to hit the alarm button, can of mace, etc. You have not threatened force to the one approaching you, but you have put yourself into a position to react to and neutralize any force brought to bear on you. You have also demonstrated your alertness to those wanting an inattentive victim.

Unless someone sees the weapon.

[VMI77]

Turning your strong side away and griping your weapon, at least in my mind, is not a threat so much as it is a defensive measure. You could be reaching for a cell phone, car fob to hit the alarm button, can of mace, etc. You have not threatened force to the one approaching you, but you have put yourself into a position to react to and neutralize any force brought to bear on you. You have also demonstrated your alertness to those wanting an inattentive victim.

Unless someone sees the weapon.

This is when a BUG in a front pocket, like an LCR or an LCP, comes in handy. I can get my hand around the grip inside my pocket and draw the gun faster than I can draw from under my shirt. Left hand up, a warning to stop, right hand inside my pocket, the gun remaining concealed unless deploying it is justified.

[PUCKER]

Just like the post above - This is one of the benefits of pocket carry, if my "spidey-sense" gets tingly then my right hand is in my right pocket, where, as luck would have it, my pistol resides. In other words, hand is on the gun, ready to draw and no one else is the wiser.

When I'm traveling in a non-carry friendly place (ie - Chicago), I'll have my pocket knife with me. Same drill, right hand at right pocket. There have been a few other places where circumstances were what they were and I was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time (spidey-sense was TINGLING) and the knife was the only weapon on me (well, besides my brain ), it seems that when I travel it tends to be cooler weather so I'll have a jacket on, I'm pretty adept at carrying my knife hidden in my hand with the blade hidden/sheathed by the jacket, ie - it's READY to slice. Of course, you've got to make sure that it's well-hidden, just my experiences.

[terryg]

I take no position on the original question, as it is too general and begs for more information about the little things which might call for different answers. I just wanted to point out what a reasonable observer, the recipient of the message "telegraphed," or perhaps even an LEO, might construe the intended message to be.

Unfortunately, it had to be somewhat vague as the scenario is fictitious.

I guess the real question is something like: Is the action of somewhat covertly griping my weapon at the same time as issuing the challenge a valid response - essentially falling somewhere between simply issuing a verbal challenge (threat is developing slowly) and actually drawing (threat is developing very quickly)?

The general consensus seems to be yes - it is a valid response that can be useful. But at the same time, it is confirmed to be more elevated than simply issuing a verbal challenge. So despite the comfort that will come with having it gripped, in some scenarios it may be wise to resist the temptation.

[USA1]

This is when a BUG in a front pocket, like an LCR or an LCP, comes in handy.

, and if all else fails and you are caught off guard, you can
use the "Here, take my wallet" excuse to get to it as a last resort.

[PRO]

This is when a BUG in a front pocket, like an LCR or an LCP, comes in handy.

, and if all else fails and you are caught off guard, you can
use the "Here, take my wallet" excuse to get to it as a last resort.

That's my thinking and the reason for the LCP and a wallet holster.

Surprise, click boom.

[TXlaw1]

Left hand goes up with halt gesture accompanied by verbal commands and scanning the area.
Simultaneously, your body rotates right by a few degrees to obscure any view of your right hand gripping your weapon.
This way you've made your intentions clear without displaying a weapon.

(This assumes right handed draw, reverse for left handed)

If you are facing a single target, You should almost always turn almost fully sideways. Do this by taking a step back with your right leg, and rotating your front leg to the side. Most people will actually do this instinctively if they think they are going to be in some sort of confrontation.

This does multiple things:
It places space between the potential threat and your drawing hand, allowing you more room and time to draw should you need to, and making it harder for them to stop you, as well as making their horizontal target smaller.
Should they lunge at you with a knife, they will be more likely to strike you in the side, or your outstretched arm, than in the chest.
Should they shoot at you, you are a harder target to hit, sideways, than full front on.

It shows a more 'defensive' posture to the potential attacker, making them potentially reconsider.

You are also more balanced, and capable of taking force and not being knocked over from their direction in this position.

I totally agree and was about to post similar recommendation. As a LEO I was trained to assume this defensive stance at about 45 degrees to anyone near me. It also better protects your weapon and conceals your placing of your hand on the grip. This would reduce the assertion that you were unconcealing it by doing so - but I do not believe this could be determined to be intentional failure to conceal the weapon until it is actually drawn and presented. Even drawing it and keeping it behind your back would not be a threat of force IMO - though it would be a failure to conceal to someone behind you. This could buy you a second or two of time to respond to an escalated threat of force by the BG.

[edmart001]

I have done what the OP suggested and am here to report that it worked out well in my opinion. I'm not 100% positive that the other guy had evil on his mind, but I was sure enough to begin to take action. Without going into excruciating detail, it was late at night on a deserted street in the downtown of a major city. There was nobody else visible on either side of the street. I noticed the other guy walking towards us on the other side of the street from more than a block away and my wife and I commented to each other to watch him at almost the same time. From about a half a bock away he abruptly began to cross the street making a bee line for us and said "Hey, I need..."

I shouted, "Stop. We don't want to talk to you. Do not come any closer. " with my left hand up in a "Stop" sign while pushing my wife behind me and turning side on to him while placing my right hand on the grip. It was winter time. I was carrying at 3:00, IWB, tucked, under a dress shirt, suit and overcoat. Getting to the grip was NOT a small production and I can't imagine anyone observing not realizing I was going for a weapon. It didn't take long at all, but the sweeping back of the overcoat and suit coat then pulling up of the dress shirt and the hand then coming to rest on something solid had to be noticeable. The guy took about two more steps towards us while all this was going on and then I could almost see the lights go on in his head. His eyes got very big as he realized we were really not interested in anything he had on his mind and the he turned and bugged out. He ran back across the street and down the first side street.

I never un-holstered and in my opinion I never lost concealment, but I'm pretty sure it was clear that I was prepared to defend my wife and myself and that I would feel threatened if he came any closer. And, he obviously got the message.