THE REMOVAL OF A HAT IS ONE GESTURE ON THE PART OF POLICE OFFICERS THAT USUALLY HAS A CALMING EFFECT. A PERSON WITH A GUN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE SIGHT OF POLICE OFFICERS. WHEN MANAGING A PERSON WITH A GUN, ONE OF THE RESPONDING POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO KEEP MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AWAY FROM THE SUBJECT. THIS CAN PREVENT RELATIVES FROM GOADING THE SUBJECT TOWARD AN ACT OF VIOLENCE. THREATS AGAINST THE SUBJECT SHOULD NOT BE USED, SINCE THIS WILL ONLY INVITE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES. IF THE SUBJECT IS AN EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED PERSON, AS OPPOSED TO A PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL, MUCH CAN BE DONE TO FACILITATE CONFRONTATIONS WITH POLICE OFFICERS. USUALLY, A CONTROLLED AND QUIET APPROACH IS MOST EFFECTIVE. SUCH AN APPROACH OFFERS PROFESSIONAL INTERVENTION IN THE PERSON'S LIFE BUT STILL LEAVES THE PERSON WITH AN IMPORTANT SENSE OF DIGNITY. TRYING TO OBTAIN AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING FROM SOMEONE APPARENTLY PSYCHOTIC AND WEAVING DISTORTED STORIES, EXPRESSING DISCONNECTED THOUGHTS, AND RELATING BIZARRE PLOTS AND ACTIONS INVOLVING OTHERS IS DIFFICULT. WHOEVER HANDLES A CALL INVOLVING PERSONS WITH FIREARMS SHOULD MAINTAIN CONTINUAL CONTACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT SO THAT INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFICERS DO NOT WALK INTO AN UNSUSPECTED AMBUSH. POLICE PERSONNEL SHOULD WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES SO THEY WILL KNOW WHO TO CONTACT BEFORE THE DANGER CALL ARISES. THREE GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING THE PERSON WITH A GUN ARE OFFERED: (1) OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT ANY PAST HISTORY OF VIOLENCE OR PSYCHIATRIC DISTURBANCES; (2) LEARN ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE SUBJECT AND HIS OR HER FIREARMS COLLECTION AND TRAINING; AND (3) APPROACH THE SUBJECT WITH CAUTIOUS COURTESY AND FREE OF PROVOCATIVE SIGNS OR BEHAVIOR THAT COULD BE MISINTERPRETED BY THE SUBJECT AS THREATENING. (DEP)