We are observing a rapid decline in the rule of law and basic humanity. We can easily go down the rabbit hole as to how we got to this point. Save that for another time. It is important to recognize the average citizen is at a higher risk of criminal activity now than at any other time in our history. Crime in blue states is high, but crime in Democratic lead cities is virtually out of control. We don’t have a gun control problem; we have a crime control problem. This will take effective leadership to change the existing landscape. Will we ever go back to a time when we left our doors unlocked? I think not, but hopefully I’m wrong. In the meantime, as individuals we need to recognize we are on our own. No one is coming to save you; you will need to save yourself. There are many ways to go about ensuring your personal safety and one of the best is with a firearm. Carrying a concealed firearm is a significant responsibility that requires careful consideration and preparation. Here are the essential steps to get started:
- Know and understand the law
- What firearm is right for carrying concealed
- Having the right associated equipment
- Training, basic to advanced
- Routines for daily carry
Laws and Legal Implications
A common concern when starting this journey has to do with the legalities. I strongly suggest anyone who plans to carry a firearm for self-defense research the laws within their home state and even city or municipality. Due to the wide array of laws, it is difficult to know them all, but that is not an excuse to make the effort to become more informed. With constitutional carry now legal in 27 states as of this writing, the subject is getting a lot of attention. Being able to carry with less restriction is a good thing. As a result, many legal boundaries are being challenged and even removed. There are still a lot of do’s and don’ts to know if you plan to carry concealed. One of the big ones is where carry is allowed or prohibited. Ignorance is not a defense in any court of law. Fortunately, there is a growing number of online and printed resources to help educate the public at large, not just those who intend to carry concealed. These resources are a great start, but always consult the state’s repository on the subject.
Even if you live in a constitutional carry state, I still encourage obtaining a permit. A lot of states still require them, and most states still encourage them. This is not to contradict what I said earlier about added restrictions, it is another path towards better understanding the law along with a few other benefits. Most permit or licensing courses will have an in-depth discussion on the local laws, as well as the ability to ask questions to a knowledgeable source. Just remember, unless their profession is a lawyer, this is not legal advice. As part of the process, there will be a background check to ensure you are not a prohibitive possessor or felon. As a result, permits in most states will allow you to bypass the onsite background check when purchasing a firearm. In order to obtain and be in legal possession of the permit, one would have already completed a background check. This little-known benefit comes in quite handy during times of social unrest, such as a pandemic or violent protests. The governing body responsible for conducting the background checks can easily be overloaded and offline, rendering you incapable of meeting the federal requirement of a background check. If you intend on traveling to other states, having a permit may grant you reciprocity with the visiting state. Again, check the state’s reciprocity conditions and be well informed on the laws regarding carrying concealed, but this is a legal method to carrying outside the state of residence.
Selecting the Right Firearm
One of the more challenging tasks is choosing the right firearm for concealed carry. There is good and bad in this challenge—in today’s firearms market there are so many choices. Back in the day, there were limited options. On the surface this might have seemed like a good thing. The problem was the choices were terrible. Most of the earlier firearms, we are talking eight to 10 years ago, were an expensive paperweight. Within the last five years that has changed dramatically. The choice should be based on some well thought-out factors. A big one should be comfort. The firearm should fit in your hand comfortably, but that doesn’t mean perfect. Since the common choices are compact and subcompact pistols, they may seem small. You want to grip the firearm firmly to start. As skill is developed, holding the firearm will be a learned skill. It may seem like a good idea to carry a larger firearm, but it is way more challenging.
Caliber consideration gets into some muddy waters. The most popular will be 9mm and for good reason. The popularity means it is easily available, even during times of civil unrest, comparatively. It offers the right balance of performance with capacity. The size allows for a higher magazine capacity with a minimum of 10 rounds being ideal. Terminal performance has seen huge improvements, especially in recent years. For the private citizen, there is very little legal argument to shooting through intermediate barriers. Most defensive gun uses will occur face to face. About the only barrier would be heavy or layered clothing. Even then, the new breed of ammunition, such as SimX Tactical DefenseCore, provides the end user with optimized performance for common defensive gun uses. Whatever the firearm choice, visiting a shooting range where you can rent and test various models can help answer many questions. If you are an inexperienced shooter, take it with a grain of salt, though. You might seem put off by certain performance attributes that are more a byproduct of training or lack thereof.
Investing in Quality Supporting Gear
Once a firearm has been selected, the next step is in investing in quality supporting gear. The first piece of gear will be a holster; a good holster is critical to being able to effectively carry concealed frequently. Popular firearms will have greater selection of holster options. The basic characteristics of a good holster are securely holding the firearm, protecting the trigger, allowing for a firing grip and fastening to the body. These characteristics will provide for a smooth draw under stress. The inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters are ideal for their improved concealability balanced with quick access. Whatever holster is selected, it will always be a balance of good concealment with quick access. A good holster will only get you so far—a sturdy belt or belt designed to hold the weight of the firearm will improve comfort and accessibility. For those carrying IWB, a very rigid belt may produce less comfort. For outside-the-waistband (OWB), the rule of thumb is to use a sturdy belt. Due to the weight needed to be fully supported by the belt, the rigid belts do a better job. For those carrying IWB, the weight is managed partly through the friction created from being pressed against the body, so a more pliable belt is recommended for greater comfort. The last piece of gear is more the wardrobe selection. Avoid light colored or light material type clothing. Keep to heavier material and neutral colors that hang well and look natural. The goal is to avoid attention. Attention will lead to scrutiny, which will lead to discovery.
Firearms Instruction and Education
Formalized firearms training can seem intimidating. Not knowing what to expect can be a barrier to entry. Most basic firearms courses will focus on safety. A common concern is being safe, not hurting oneself or others. Learning the best methods for handling, storing and shooting a firearm is a great investment into self-defense. Shooting fundamentals are pretty standard and have been perfected in an effort to deliver the best methods to the end user. A word of caution, while it may seem simple, it is not easy. Manage the expectations and realize no one is going to be a secret agent after a couple of hours or weekend of training. An area I see sometimes overlooked is basic maintenance. Modern firearms are pretty rugged and dependable but do require a little attention now and then. Learning how to safely disassemble, clean, lubricate and reassemble is something to add to the list.
These basic firearms courses are a great start, but seldom address the subject of concealed carry. There are states that require formalized instruction on the subject to obtain a permit. Those that don’t require it can be overlooked, but luckily there are many options available. Each will be somewhat different, but they should cover legal aspects, the safe methods of carry, clothing considerations and probably the most important subject, situational awareness. If I had to suggest a single subject to master, this would be the one. Not only will it improve the overall safety of individuals, but groups and communities—taking in the surroundings, being aware of what belongs, what doesn’t. Seeing potential danger in advance allows for planning, even if that planning is miniscule. It is far better than being surprised.
At a certain point, advanced training will enter the picture. The term advanced can have lots of meaning, but consider it mainly centered around defensive shooting—how to react to a deadly force threat by drawing from concealment; the use of movement during the drawstroke to help create distance; discussions on the use of cover and concealment along with how to shoot from behind these positions. A major objective for advanced training is handling stressful situations. The use of scenario-based training is one of my favorites—a fancy role-play type of training where the use of actors helps create the most realistic scenarios. The stress level can have a determinantal effect on your performance no matter the level, so being exposed to this type of training can help be better prepared.
Routine Practice and Preparation
Once you’ve built a foundation of skill, the hard part is keeping the skills sharp. That is where regular practice comes into the picture. Any skill, no matter how well mastered, will fade with time if nothing is done to maintain mastery. There is dry fire practice that involves the use of an unloaded firearm—great for practicing trigger control and draw techniques. Always ensure the firearm is unloaded, then double check. Search for resources on how to safely dry practice. The good news about dry fire is the cost is only in time. Live fire practice means regularly visiting the range to practice shooting. Focus on accuracy first, then speed with some stress to keep you honest. If you are able to incorporate more scenario-based training, it is great to practice your situational awareness. Tactics such as de-escalation and distance management help develop quick decision-making under pressure.
For the benefit of carrying concealed to be achieved, it requires daily carry. Integrating carrying a firearm into the daily routine is the ultimate goal. The more time carrying leads to a higher level of comfort. Eventually, daily carry will become second nature. When this point is reached, it is a good time to remember safety—safety in the form of handling. Daily handling can increase the risks of carelessness. Always assume all firearms are loaded and treat them as such. If you must load or unload, create a routine for not only when, but where. Consider the worst case should the firearm be negligently discharged; where is the muzzle pointed and what will the bullet hit. Choose an area or direction where minimal damage is caused. Whatever handling must be performed, always ensure your trigger finger is never inside the trigger guard. Keep the trigger finger outside the trigger guard unless your sights are on the target and you are ready to fire. Once the firearm is loaded, reduce the unnecessary handling. One of the best ways to do that is remove the firearm while it is still holstered. If the firearm is stored in a safe, storing it holstered will protect the trigger and ensure the highest level of safety.
Carrying a concealed firearm is about preparedness and responsibility. Know the law, the do’s and don’ts for concealed carry.
- Choose the best firearm for your needs.
- Consider the supporting gear carefully to ensure a high level of comfort and confidence.
- Invest in formalized firearms training, from basic to advanced and practice regularly; where possible, reduce the unnecessary handling of firearms.
- Err on the side of caution and go out of your way to be safe.
- Avoid shortcuts.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you are well-prepared to carry concealed safely and effectively.
