The hardest question to answer is when to carry concealed. Carrying a firearm for self-defense is not only a responsibility, but for some a new inconvenience. The simple answer to how often one should carry is…all the time. However, it is not quite that simple. There are nuances and subtleties to the art and science of concealed carry. Some are more interested in the “idea” of carrying concealed, while others are compelled to carry as often as possible. The sweet spot for each person can be ever elusive without considerations for gear, skill, maintenance and need. Whether you are new or a veteran to carrying concealed, there will be similar parallels. The difference will be the level of experience and confidence. Here are four best practices to build your confidence and ability to carry concealed more frequently.
- Calculating the risks versus rewards
- Overcoming the initial aversion
- Being comfortable with what you carry
- Establishing new set of norms and lifestyle
Deciding on carrying concealed borders on the acceptance that bad things can and will happen. Whether it is through a personal account or recognition, much is out of our control. Currently, there is a major awareness trend developing. With crime raging in many cities throughout the country, chances of criminal exposure is higher than it has been in decades. Despite what politicians say, crime is high. Until we see criminals being prosecuted for committing crimes, personal safety is a personal responsibility. The choice to carry is an effort to mitigate bad things, to provide a level of control. No matter how small or insignificant, the level of control is massive.
There are Always Dangers
There are risks involved in concealed carry no matter what. If you fail to carry and are the victim of a violent crime, you have no real means of resistance. On the flip side, firearms are dangerous; hence, why they are an effective tool. The danger of firearms is far easier to mitigate than the danger of needing one and not having one. Like any power tool, firearms are dangerous. There are rules, protocol and etiquette one must follow to reduce and/or control the risks. If followed, while never truly removed, the likelihood of injury or worse is greatly reduced. The difficulty in gauging risk is the unknowable nature of violent crime. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict when one could be the victim of a violent crime. There are numerous tips and tricks to reduce victimhood, but they do not completely remove them.
An alternative viewpoint to risk is acknowledging the stakes. There will always be risks—whether it is risk involved for action or risk involved for inaction. Many within the gun control crowd will dismiss the stakes and downplay them. They will demean those who value personal responsibility and even criticize their ability to be effective. Yes, sufficient skill may be lacking. This alone is not reason enough to dismiss carrying concealed. If anything, it should be motivation to learn the art of self-defense with a firearm. The real question—do the risks outweigh what is at stake? Protecting loved ones, innocent or helpless, involves risk, but failure to take these risks means relinquishing control. There are no guarantees, but carrying concealed provides you with options, the biggest being the ability to resist.
Fear Is the Mind Killer
For many, there is still a dislike to carrying concealed. There are many reasons, most shared with me are manageable. Nothing in this world is free, there are always choices to be made. For instance, making the choice to better familiarize yourself with firearm ownership can greatly reduce the negative feelings associated with firearms. Education is the key. The more familiar with the operation, use and carrying of firearms, the easier it is to overcome these barriers. Even then, there can still be resistance from family members. Whatever the reason, it is important to acknowledge the issue. Delve into the why, what is the cause for the resistance. Could a conversation about stakes help, could more involvement in safety help? Could the resistance be founded in misinformation or myths? All the more reason to have discussions where both sides can be heard. There is a high probability all parties want what is best for all, but the methods are different. Finding common ground is the first step towards finding a mutually agreeable solution.
Family safety is one of the most common objections to owning firearms or having firearms in the house. There are dangers to owning firearms. Accidental gunshot wounds leading to injury or death are possible, but there are simple steps to reduce these dangers. Safe storage to deny access to unauthorized personnel is one of the biggest concerns. Currently, there are more options available for safely storing firearms, which create greater peace of mind. I can appreciate the concern since I had a similar experience many moons ago. Reducing the unnecessary handling of firearms, whether loaded or not, is another important consideration. The less a firearm is handled, the less chance of an accidental discharge. Minimize handling firearms to just the necessary tasks, such as loading, unloading and cleaning. Carrying concealed—even having a firearm in the house—is a major life choice and it impacts many facets of our lives. Considering alternatives is smart, but not at the sacrifice of a firearm carried for self-defense. It is difficult to find a better tool or means to protecting what matters most.
Comfort Creates Confidence
Carrying concealed firearms comfortably is crucial for effectiveness and safety. Ensuring the right holster, firearm size and clothing for optimal concealment and access is the first step. Without a high degree of comfort in what and how you carry, you may find it easier not to carry. Selecting a compact or sub-compact firearm will make it easier to conceal and more comfortable for extended wear. There are so many options available these days with new features catered to the concealed carry market. Keep to the 9mm caliber with a 10-round magazine capacity at a minimum. Other features to consider are optic ready for those wishing to install red dot sights and ported slides/barrels for improved recoil control. Start with a price point you can afford, then look at popular brands and narrow down to a couple of choices. The next step is holster selection and all day comfort and ease of access. The more popular the firearm, the more holster options to fit your needs. Clothing considerations should aid in concealing without restricting movement. This will take trial and error to find the right combination, but it doesn’t mean your existing wardrobe is not useful. Play with various combinations until the right level of concealment and access is reached. All of this to get to the most important facet of comfort, and that is training.
In my experience, training is the missing link to comfort level. When I talk with many who are new to concealed carry, the comfort level is listed high as an obstacle. While a great deal of research can be conducted on the best carry firearm, holster and even clothing, they offer little peace of mind without the know-how. Learning how to safely access and draw the firearm and then being able to deliver accurate shots on target will build confidence. At a certain point, the confidence level begins to rise and with it your comfort level. It is continuous education and training that sustains the confidence level. For optimal effectiveness from carrying concealed, training is the key. The psychological (training and education) readiness is equally important to the physical (firearm and holster) readiness.
Embrace New Beginnings
Establishing a new set of norms and lifestyle for concealed carry involves a strategic, safety-first approach. We have to start by looking at the big picture, then scale down to the details. Details such as what and how you carry combined with the overall concept of carrying frequency. Carrying concealed isn’t just about having a gun, it’s about being prepared mentally and physically for its responsibilities. There will be some locations and or events that prohibit firearms. In these situations you will have to choose to either voluntarily disarm or avoid the location/event all together. Each has their own impact on your wellbeing and quality of life. It’s crucial to treat concealed carry as a commitment to personal and public safety. I’ve talked about the “polite society” and for those who are not aware, it describes a scenario where everyone treats one other with dignity and respect. Failure to do so could result in a confrontation escalating out of control. Adopting this lifestyle means continuous education and adjustments to maintain proficiency and safety. There is a commitment one must take towards preparation and readiness. Preparation focuses on the tools and readiness focuses on how to use said tools. Should you be called into action, the confidence behind your preparation and readiness will go a long way towards shaping the outcome.
As the armed lifestyle evolves, I encourage folks to connect with other like-minded individuals to foster a community of responsible concealed carriers, for shared learning and support. In these networks, it becomes more common place to see best practices shared, even encouraged. The focus not only shifts towards preparation and readiness but broadens to other subjects, such as the importance of physical fitness and its application towards effectively handling violent confrontations. The selection of clothing that best aides in effective concealment while still allowing quick access to the firearm. Peer reviews are severely underrated and sometimes even ignored. Having a member of the group provide honest feedback on various gear and clothing combinations is invaluable. There is the tendency to feel more comfortable seeking out education as a group. There is a much higher chance a small group will be willing to explore new opportunities together. The group by its nature meets more regularly, and while not everyone in the group can make every event, it is a great way to see continuing education skyrocket. The benefits of regular practice typically produce more skills confidence. It makes prioritizing training easier, which results in a higher level of comfort and proficiency. By adopting an armed lifestyle, the focus of safety, skill and awareness improve for all members.
The decision on how frequently you carry is a personal choice. Some will put a lot of thought into their decision, others will not. Those who put thought into the decision might be thinking about the risks versus rewards. If they carry, they may increase the chances of an accident. If they don’t carry, they may be unprepared to resist violence. For some, there is the dislike to firearms in general, much less carrying one daily. The dislike can be tempered with the harsh reality of being a victim, which begs the question—which is worse. Comfort comes with time and acceptance of the realities of the modern world. The more you carry, the greater your confidence. We are all adjusting to a new way of living, an armed lifestyle is no different. Find your comfort zone, but don’t settle. Keep pushing to move beyond what you are comfortable with today, so tomorrow is better.
