Concealed Carry

It's dangerous to go alone! While one hopes that they would never be in a life-threatening situation where you would be forced to defend yourself, it's not altogether uncommon, especially if you live in a large metropolitan city. Don't expect others to come to your rescue. Small, easy-to-carry self-defense weapons can provide peace of mind for anyone that may be worried about their safety, and even help successfully thwart assailants should you find yourself in a scary situation.

There is no federal law concerning the concealed carry of firearms. State laws vary from quite restrictive to unrestricted. Defendants convicted of carrying a concealed weapon illegally can face significant penalties. Develop knowledge of applicable concealed carry laws and follow them. There are lots of resources out there to enhance your knowledge: USACarry, USCCA, U.S. LawShield®, to name a few.

Self-Defense Tools

Handgun - We overwhelmingly recommend the handgun as the self-defense tool of choice. Guns empower people who might fall victim to criminals. The Department of Justice’s firearm violence report covering 1993 to 2011 shows nearly 1% of victims of violent crime that wasn't fatal used firearms for self-defense by threatening or attacking offenders. A study by Peter Rossi and James Wright on felons indicated most criminals feared meeting armed persons. Additionally, crime prevention research shows states with a high number of gun owners and permits reflect lower homicide and violent crime rates. Carrying a firearm discourages criminals from committing crimes due to fear of facing armed and prepared victims.

Do you find yourself in areas where guns are restricted? If so, protect yourself with less-lethal tools, many of which are easily concealable and do not require any sort of concealed carry permitting. It should be noted that most less-lethal self-defense tools require being in close proximity to an attacker to be effective. Training, skills and abilities with such tools should be taken into consideration.

1. Impact Weapons - versus ballistic weapons that go "bang", range from a rolled-up magazine to a walking cane. Objects such as tactical pens that write, fixed and collapsible batons, even flashlights can be used for self-defense.
2. Knives - If you live in a country or city that prohibits firearms, don’t want to purchase a firearm, or don’t have the means to obtain a concealed carry permit, carrying a knife may be the next best tool for self-defense. Tactical knives, folding knives, and fixed blade knives are three of the most common knives that fall into the self-defense category; all of which can greatly improve your odds of survival against an attacker.
3. Pepper Spray / Mace - Other than firearms, very few tools are carried to ward off BEARS!, like pepper spray or Mace. If used correctly, pepper sprays and gels are some of the best personal safety devices that everyone can carry. They deliver a concentrated burst of capsaicin, the chemical found in peppers that gives them their heat. They are incredibly effective at incapacitating a threat for up to several minutes, providing you with the time you need to get to safety and away from harm.
4. Tasers / Stun Guns - A taser / stun gun is a hand-held, electrically charged device that is designed to deliver a strong electric shock to stop an attacker. A stun gun has two prongs at the end of the device. Touching an attacker with the prongs while you pull the trigger will cause a strong electrical current to go from the prongs through the attacker's clothing into the body.

Handgun Selection vs The Key Three

If you go the handgun route, there's a substantial number of factors to weigh and decisions to be made before finding a maximally effective setup that works for you. The topic of selecting a handgun could and does fill books, so we'll skip that here. Everything from how easily can you operate the handgun? What is comfortable? Number of rounds? How the recoil hits? Which caliber? Frame size? Price? Semi-auto versus revolver? You name it, the conversation can get deep, the room warm, and the oxygen level low.

This Firearms Fast Track section is intended to be a primer for new owners looking for direction to products they need, so let's focus on three key associated topics:

1. The Holster you wear to carry a concealed firearm.
2. The Belt you wear to secure a concealed firearms holster.
3. The Clothing you wear to conceal a holstered firearm.

Getting started effectively in these three areas, will Fast Track you to Concealed Carry success!

1. Holster

You have plenty of options when choosing concealed carry holsters. You might feel a little intimidated when you buy your first concealed carry holster. You have a lot of options. If you already own a gun that you plan to carry daily, choosing a holster becomes even easier.

It is crucial your holster can keep your gun securely in place, and this is generally achieved in two ways:

1. Passive retention is the natural retention of a holster’s design. This includes the retention properties of the material and the shape of the holster. Leather, for example, depending on its state, can either grip a gun or be far too slippery to hold a gun in place.
2. Active retention holsters must be actively engaged to release a weapon. This means they have retention mechanisms outside of the standard retention that a holster typically offers. This affords far more security than a passive retention holster. Some holsters will either have passive or active retention, but specific holsters are adjustable and can have either, depending on the wearer’s preference.

Material -

When choosing your holster, consider the pros and cons of different materials:

1. Leather is standard because it can offer good retention, durability, and style. Leather holsters tend to fit better as they age because it distorts slightly under body heat and molds to your body. However, leather also requires upkeep.
2. Synthetic materials have some advantages over leather. They hold their shape, do not require upkeep, and can be precision molded to your gun. Better yet, they do not require an uncomfortable "breaking-in" period, and you can comfortably wear your holster as soon as you receive it. Synthetic holsters also allow for some unique retention features that are impossible to achieve with leather. Kydex is a nearly indestructible thermoplastic that can be molded specifically to your gun. It will never lose its shape, and custom Kydex holsters are the most durable and efficient holsters you can buy.
3. Remember, you get what you pay for, so avoid cheap materials like nylon.

IMPORTANT: A holster should cover the trigger guard, but its materials should never protrude into the trigger guard. Ensure that the design of your holster does not disengage your weapon's safeties. If you fall, or if your holster is struck, a poorly designed holster could disengage the safety and cause your gun to fire.

Placement -

The most common holsters for carrying a concealed carry

1. Over-the-waistband or OWB holsters that keep your gun on the outside of your pants;
2. Inside-the-waistband or IWB holsters slip right inside the waistband of your pants.
3. Ankle holsters strap to the bottom of your leg, right above the ankle. Keep in mind, though, that it will take some time to get used to carrying the weight of a gun above your ankle. Still, it’s a strong option, especially for security professionals who want to carry backup weapons.
4. Belly band holsters have material that stretches around your entire waist or midsection. The bands squeeze around your lower belly, so they can keep your gun in place even when you run as quickly as possible.
5. Shoulder holsters can work well when you plan to wear a jacket throughout the day. Some people like shoulder holsters because they have easy access to their weapons. You may prefer a shoulder holster if you plan to carry a full size gun that weighs quite a bit. Some designs also have holsters for more than one pistol.
6. While we sell a few, we generally recommend AGAINST pocket holsters.

2. Belt

The right gun belt is critical to hide the fact that you’re carrying, keeping your gun and other items safe and secure, and giving you a repeatable, fast draw when fractions of a second can mean the difference between life and death. The best concealed carry belt should be discreet and comfortable while firmly attached. It shouldn’t flex, loosen, or bend while you move. Sure, they can hold up pants also — but not much else. Using a normal belt and loading it down with a handgun will quickly destroy the belt, causing it to sag, a lot. This makes your gun print more, makes it easier for the gun to fall out and makes drawing it in an emergency harder, slower, and riskier.

Some are reinforced with nylon, some just use more layers/thicker leather, and some are actually cored with steel for a lot of rigidity and strength. These belts won’t sag on you, they’ll carry pounds of extra weight (4 pounds to 20 pounds depending on the model), and most of them will last a lifetime. Nylon belts are great because they are easy to take care of and easy to cut to size. Leather belts look better. Both can be made for supporting a lot of weight. Both can be made to look very nice. It really just depends on what you want most.

Gun belts are normally at least 1.5-inch wide, although some brands offer 1.25-inch belts now, and are thicker and stronger than a common belt. Generally speaking, you’ll want a belt that is 2 pant sizes larger than you normally wear.

Traditional buckles are exactly what you think, a simple buckle that pokes a stem through a hole in the belt to lock it in place. This is the classic, the norm, the default. However, there are now belts that use cobra buckles, hook and loop ("velcro"), magnetic, and even ratcheting buckles to secure; these require special belts and are not usable on a normal belt but offer a few advantages.

Getting a good belt will make carrying much safer, comfy, and secure.

3. Clothing

If you are a first-time concealed carrier, you probably spent weeks or even months researching the best weapon for your concealed carry needs. Your clothing choices can be just as important as your choice of self-defense tool. This is why many carriers follow the adage "Dress around the gun."

Although concealed carry weapons are becoming increasingly thinner and lighter, your gun still has bulk, and that bulk is far more visible under a plain t-shirt than it is under a shirt with a plaid pattern. The excess visual information of plaid, herringbone, or a complex all-over print will draw attention away from your gun and will conceal the printing or the lines that a gun naturally creates under fabric.

Find the balance between concealment and ease of access. A light shirt will drape around your gun, making it visible. The best option is usually, therefore, a medium-weight fabric. However, if you live in a colder climate, it is important to practice drawing in heavier clothing, so you can access your weapon as quickly as possible.

If you are shopping for clothing to conceal your gun, you will not be wearing your usual size. The waistband of your pants should be one to two inches bigger than normal. Oversized shirts also prevent the gun from being visible by reducing printing.

Wear an undershirt to protect the finish of your gun from corrosion caused by sweat. Light cotton will do or, even better, choose fabrics that are designed to wick away sweat, such as athletic wear.

Surplus stores carry clothing options for concealment, and a lot of them look cool and stylish. However, most people do not wear combat gear in their everyday life. Perhaps you need those pockets for other gear. In this case, consider borrowing the style of another hobby, such as fishing. It is not a good idea to advertise firearm brands on clothing, or on your vehicle. Often, when you need your gun, you need it instantly. There are very few situations where you will be free to draw your weapon at your leisure. Snap buttons are the be-all-end-all easy access, and some designs can disguise snaps as traditional buttons for an even more discreet look.

Heavy jackets cover up almost any weapon you want to conceal. Consider wearing a medium-weight jacket or sweater, sweatshirt, or hoodie. Wearing it open or closed is a matter of personal preference. If you do this, keep in mind how easily your weapon can become exposed. Always be aware of your weapon and whether it is properly concealed.

Regardless of your preferred method and style of concealed carry, it is important to put some thought into how you will dress to conceal your weapon. Your choice of clothing can be just important as your choice of self-defense tool.

FINAL THOUGHT ON CONCEALED CARRY...

Making the choice to carry a handgun for personal protection should not be made lightly; it is a serious matter. If you choose to go this route, learning to do so properly is key. Seeking training from qualified and experienced professionals can only help. Practicing regularly is non-negotiable. If you're going to carry, be safe, be smart.