[sbg2340]

The decision to carry a weapon concealed or open should not be taken lightly, it is a choice that should be made only after careful consideration. Carrying a firearm on one's person is a lifestyle commitment in personal self defence and anyone who is considering carrying a handgun for such a purpose must ask themself if he is up to the task of close-quarters combat. If not then the gun will likely be used against them when they draw it to try to scare away an attacker. So if you've decided that you're mentally and physically ready to carry a gun to protect yourself, it's time to consider the system of concealed or opened carry.

Handgun, holster, support/suspension system(belt)
spare magazine or speedloader, some type of cutting tool such as a folding knife and a compact and powerful flashlight.
If you are going to carry there are five very important items one must never leave the house with out:

1. your choice of weapon (gun ).
2. A powerful light source (flash light).
3. A cutting tool (folding knife).
4. Your driver's license.
5. Your "License To Carry Handgun" (permit).
The first thing you will want to select is the handgun you will be carrying on an every day basis because the other items will be somewhat dependent on that choice. I would not choose a gun less than an 9mm for the stoping power, a bigger bullet is a better bullet, but a bullet to big will require a gun big enough to shoot it and it will be to big for open carry or concealment, you also want to select a pistol or revolver that fits your shooting hand completely so you can control the gun during rapid fire. Next, decide where you're going to carry the handgun. the biggest mistake many people make is to conceal the gun too deeply, making quck deployment problematic if not impossible. With conceal carry, quick access means that you will have to dress for concealment and not hide the gun under clothing that you would have worn befor you made the conceal carry decision. think about where you travel,work,and live and then dress appropriately around the gun and the selected concealment location on your person.

Since the gun must be drawn quickly and easily, the best concealment location will be someplace near the primary shooting hand , think about where the primary hand is as you go through out your daily routine. Develop a combat mindset, this is more difficult than you may think, A quality combat pistal course will deal with this topic.

Finally if you chooes a firearm for your personal protection, you have an obligation to perform to a significantly higher level. Carrying any weapon(gun) brings with it a higher legal, moral and ethical standard. The armed citizen must be aware of their surroundings at all times live your life in "Condition Yellow", they must be able to anticipate and avoid, if possible, any potentially dangerous situation.

If an armed citizen is unable to avoid a lethal confrontation, then they must be able to devote their entire being to resolving the siuation at hand. And they must possess the selfcontrol necessary to know when and how to use, or how not to ues DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE.

 

[CDR_Glock]

Excellent post. I've been carrying for a short time relative to many people. I acquired my license in 2009. It is important to be methodical, well informed, well trained, and armed with a sense of SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.

When I see someone suspicious, despite carrying a firearm, I am watchful and go in another direction, cross the street or walk into a store. When walking to my car, I am not distracted by TEXTING or talking on a phone. I am looking around, listening to my surroundings, being observant of people's behavior, I make eye-contact, I look into the shadows for atypical movement, and I am aware of larger groups of individuals and their behavior and temperament. If I feel uncomfortable, I proceed to go back into the building or store and wait or I take a circuitous path to avoid a confrontation. One hand has my keys/light and the strong hand is ready to draw, if the need arises. Never, in my lifetime, have I EVER NEEDED TO DRAW a weapon. I pray I never do. However, it's better to have it if the need arises, than to need it and not have it. It's best to be prepared and aware, than to be distracted and become a victim. This is from one guy's perspective, my own. Your needs, experiences, training and mindset will vary. These are not set in stone. It's just a Common Guy's way to not end up in trouble.

My concealed carry weapon of choice is a Glock 27 or Glock 23 (40 Caliber) or a Glock 30 (45 ACP). On occasions, I have carried a Government 1911, 357 Snub-nosed revolver, 38 caliber Ruger LCR. For me, I don't like external safeties or decockers - personal preference. For me, I prefer Tritium Night Sights. For me, I prefer to carry one reload (Magazine, Speedloader) or in some rare cases a snub-nosed revolver. With the exception of the 1911, I don't like external safeties. I ensure that the gun has had anywhere from 500 to 800 rounds of trouble free service with the intended carry ammunition. I don't practice with one load, only to CARRY another load (i.e. Practice with 38 special and carry 357 Magnums).

CHOOSING WEAPON

It is important to decide upon what combination of Firearm and Holster/Method of carrying the gun as a unit. Certainly it is important to be competent and comfortable with the caliber or platform used. However, the method by which you feel most comfortable and is most practical for your situation, abilities, and training. BEAR IN MIND, ALL SERVICE PISTOL CALIBERS ARE LOW POWERED PROJECTILES WHEN COMPARED TO A HIGH POWERED RIFLE OR A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN. FORGET ABOUT 'CALIBER WARS'. In competent, trained hands, all calibers of reasonable ballistics will all be relatively equal. Shot placement is KEY. If you cannot handle a caliber, it is not intended for you. Lighter guns, though easier to carry, are not easier to shoot. Determine the balance amongst caliber, weight, ergonomics and comfort. Gun A may work for me but not for you, and vice versa. You may realize that a particular caliber is too expensive to acquire or even find in your local area (excluding the internet).

Understand that there is much controversy regarding Stopping Power, One Shot Stops, and Effectiveness of one Handgun Caliber to another. Bear in mind the ballistics depend upon the caliber and length of the barrel. Understand what your tool can and cannot do, and what you are able to do and not do with it. For me, home defense is a 12 Gauge Shotgun with 00 Buck or a 4" 357 Magnum Revolver. That is not concealed carry material, for most.

CARRYING

1 Consult with local laws and statutes upon where carrying is legal and NOT AUTHORIZED
-In many states, precincts, concealed civilian, non-LEO carry in MILITARY BASES, MILITARY FACILITIES, Federal buildings, Schools, Churches, Sporting Events, Prisons, Mental Institutions, Sterile areas in AIRPORTS, Post Offices is ILLEGAL. Don't ever try it.
-IGNORANCE IS INDEFENSIBLE.
2 NEVER EVER BRANDISH A WEAPON. Consult your local and state laws.
3 NEVER EVER MIX CARRYING YOUR WEAPON WITH INTAKE OF ALCOHOLIC OR MIND ALTERING MEDICATIONS (LET ALONE ANY ILLICIT DRUGS).
4 ALWAYS BRING YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE. It is indefensible if you don't have it on your person and you're caught with a concealed weapon.
5 NEVER CONCEAL A WEAPON FOR WHICH YOU'RE NOT AUTHORIZED. If you don't have a LICENSE, you have no business carrying. If your license specifies only HANDGUNS, then conceal carrying a knife is NOT LEGAL. Certain states allow for concealing knives but NOT ALL STATES. BALLISTIC KNIVES ARE NEVER AUTHORIZED IN ANY JURISDICTION.
6 Know your laws regarding the use of DEADLY FORCE in Self Defense. Some states follow the "Castle Doctrine" but many states have the "Duty to Retreat".
7 Know which states allow reciprocity and know the specifics of the concealed carry laws in those states. The restrictions differ from one locale or state to another. This applies to unauthorized locations where firearms are not allowed for concealment, etc. Don't end up in jail due to non-compliance.

WEAPONS PRACTICE

1 One must practice in every method possible: Strong Handed, Weak Handed, Two handed Strong, Two handed Weak, Prone, Behind Cover, Standing, Kneeling, Point Shooting and Aimed Shooting
2 One must be very adept at drawing from concealment. SLOW AND METHODICAL. Not rushed or jerky. ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH AN UNLOADED GUN OR A GUN WITH SNAP CAPS OR OTHER INERT NON-PROJECTILE ROUND.
4 One must practice at varying distances. Most encounters are from 1-2 feet to within 15 to 21 feet (7 yards).

FIREARMS SAFETY

ALWAYS ASSUME THE GUN IS LOADED.
Always ensure that your firearm is secure and inaccessible to children AT ALL TIMES.
Never allow access to people who are not allowed to handle firearms such as convicted violent felons.
Never put your finger on the trigger until YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
GET APPROPRIATE TRAINING.

DRESSING FOR CONCEALMENT

Concealed carry is comforting but not necessarily comfortable.

In many locales, "Printing" (Outline of Firearm under clothing) is illegal. Concealed means "Concealed".

You must learn to dress around your method of concealment.

Learn the PROS and CONS of each method of concealment, the limitations, the appropriate context by which you can carry, and appropriate type/size of weapon. Shoulder and Ankle Holsters are great for Hollywood - It may not be great for your line of work, method of carry, climate, clothing worn, etc. Be smart about what gun and method of carry you're using.

Learn what type of clothing is best for concealment. AVOID tight leather pants, spandex, latex, microfiber shirts, white clothing, light clothing, thin clothing, see-through clothing, netting, frilly Pirate shirts, etc. Darker colored clothing, Dark/Busy Prints, Pique dark shirts, Patterned clothing, Fleece, Heavy canvas, heavy leather, etc make concealment easier.

Understand what activities you're doing when concealing and what movements that you make that may EXPOSE your FIREARM. CONCEALMENT IS KEY.

Ensure that your method of carry is secure and less likely to cause your firearm to fall onto the ground, for example, during activities.

Upsize your clothing. If you wear large, then you may need to go XL or XXL.

You may realize that your wardrobe has to change.

DO NOT WEAR OR CARRY A 'CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE BADGE'. Concealed means concealed and it also means not to broadcast it. The only authorized documentation is your Carry License and Driver's License, not a Brass Police-Wanna-Be Badge. If that's all you're carrying, you're probably going to be in Jail.

SUMMARY

Be Smart.

It takes a great level of responsibility to conceal carry.

Consult the law. Know the law. Live the law. Be informed. Stay updated.

Be compliant with all regulations.

Be well trained.

Concealment of a firearm means living to a higher standard. Your threshold should be higher to prevent violence or confrontation. Avoidance and de-escalation is key. Never be an instigator. Don't go somewhere looking for trouble. Don't go somewhere where trouble finds you. Don't do or say anything that can get you into a confrontation.

That's my soap box. Take it or leave it. It works for me. Thanks for reading (if you did).

CDR Glock

 

[G17XJ_BS]

Great post! Read the entire thing! I just hope everyone that is CC has the same mindset as you.

 

[Glock8856]

Nicely worded it, man!!

 

[cbrob1221]

Well said and I completely agree

I carry a 19 and I prefer to conceal. I find that a little more difficult at times being female. Parading around with my side arm visible to the world is just not my style but I don't find bulky oversized clothing appealing either. I've thought about purchasing a concealment purse but I'm just not crazy about not having my weapon on my person at all times.

 

[nukinfuts29]

On numbers 4 and 5: This includes leaving the home just to take trash out. ALWAYS carry your ID and CPL outside the home, period.

Also I would like to add one:

#6: You have a CPL for a reason. Having a CPL does not make you cool. Being out in public and making body positions or gestures trying to inform the hot girl behind you in line or the jackass across the isle that you have a gun makes you the jackass. This really makes me mental. If you feel the need to let others know you carry, leave it at home because you are immature. Actions like these draw attention, attention brings negativity, negativity leads to property bans, signs, and activists.

/rant

Sorry, idiocy at the Walmart today.

 

[KeenansGarage]

Great post guys, I hope that everyone will read this at least once while they are on here. Hell, even all of the Glock Giveaway guys/gals that only post once should read it.

......Actions like these draw attention, attention brings negativity, negativity leads to property bans, signs, and activists.

I agree! The whole point of a concealed carry permit is to carry CONCEALED! This means not even your momma should know you have a gun on your hip. That's just my .02 cents worth.

 

[nukinfuts29]

that's right. Also, I carry my purchase permit (if applicable) with me at all times tucked nicely under my DL and CPL in the wallet. Sometimes cops computers don't work right.

 

[Kmurray96]

great post guys, i hope that everyone will read this at least once while they are on here. Hell, even all of the glock giveaway guys/gals that only post once should read it.



I agree! The whole point of a concealed carry permit is to carry concealed! This means not even your momma should know you have a gun on your hip. That's just my .02 cents worth.

Exactly!!!

 

[Donn]

Along with everything else mentioned above, make sure you've got a lawyer you can contact 24/7. If you're involved in a shooting, you'll need one, regardless of circumstance.

 

[thndrdude]

I have carried, mostly open, sense I was 21. I am now 57. It is common to see open carry here, in restaurants, Walmart and wherever.

One perspective I dont think was covered. Before my accident I trained and practiced. I had no doubt that I could react properly to the situation. Sometimes that means running away!

My dilemma now is that I was in a severe accident and can not function the way I use to. For this reason I carry less. Confused? Let me explain.

I put on over 100 pounds after my accident and cant work it off. I am not as mobile as I use to be. I can not train much any more. I seldom practice and I fear that I "MIGHT" make an emotional decision based on my condition. I am less likely to be able to defend myself physically and might "go to the gun" faster. I might think about it too long when I need to react now. Alternative methods of defense are more limited now.

I carry more concealed now and my situation awareness is much higher. I will totally avoid an area that I once use to enter with no concerns. I find myself always looking for "an out" when I have to enter an area I once thought nothing of.

I dont want to make a mistake in judgment or action. Those mistakes may be fatal.... to me!