Concealed Carry Mistakes
We all make mistakes. How else can we learn? Here’s the thing. When we’re talking about concealed carry weapons, we can’t risk the old trial-and-error learning mode. The results could be catastrophic. In this article, I’ve outlined concealed carry permit mistakes you shouldn’t have to discover for yourself.
- Lacking in Training
How much is too much training when it comes to using a concealed carry firearm? There is no such thing as too much training! Many assume that if they complete the minimum handgun training required to get a concealed carry permit, then they are good to go. Unfortunately qualification courses usually focus on safe used of your weapon when you go hunting. These training sessions seldom prepare you for what to do when confronted by an armed assailant. You need hours on the shooting range and time to get familiar with your weapon.
- Fixating on Not Showing Your Weapon
When people get a concealed carry handgun, they are obsessed with keeping it concealed. After time spend carrying your weapon, you stop touching it to make sure it is hidden and focus instead on being able to reach for it quickly and smoothly. Of course you do not want to expose a gun in public and cause panic—or worse. But, in time, you will make clothing and posture accommodations and worry less about this happening.
- Selecting a Poorly Fitted Holster
As with anything else, you get what you pay for. Take the time to make sure you get a holster that is good for you and your handgun. There are lots of good choices. Look for a holster that holds your gun comfortably and one which you could wear all day without chafing. Experiment with styles and materials until you find the one that is perfect for you.
- Selecting a Bad Choice of Clothing
When you have a concealed carry pistol, you need to choose clothing which won’t allow your gun to be exposed. And, no this doesn’t mean you have to wear baggy trousers or big tee shirts. Select styles you like but we aware you need to accommodate your handgun and holster.
The other thing you do not want to do is dress like a member of the SWAT cast. You know what I’m talking about! Avoid tactical clothes. They scream, “I am carrying a concealed weapon.”
So what should you aim for? Dark colors conceal a weapon better than light colored clothes.
5. Checking Your Gun
When you first start to carry a concealed weapon, it’s like that new wedding ring. It’s hard to stop touching it. If you’ve purchased a good holster then of course your gun is still there. Practice going about your routine and not checking. Avoiding fingering your gun comes with time and self-control.
6. Failing to Practice with Ammunition
When you are faced with defending yourself, your family, or your property, it’s not the best time to check out your ammo. You want to discover at the shooting range that your gun doesn’t deal well with the ammunition you’d like to use. Again, practice with various types of ammunition until you find one that works well with your pistol. If it turns out you have to spend more on ammo to get a reliable one, it’s worth expense just knowing you have good defense.
7. Failing to Readjust Your Holster
Constantly checking to make sure your handgun is still there or that it isn’t showing is not good. But also not good is failing to make sure your holster hasn’t slid. Don’t do this in public. It draws attention. Check and make an adjustment in a locked bathroom. You may have to go to your car. Find a private place and fix it so you don’t have to worry about it.
- Carrying only Occasionally
Wearing a concealed weapon is like wearing a bra. If you’re going to carry a gun, the best way is to carry all the time. It’s like your seat belt or your bike helmet. It’s a safety issue. So, get into the habit of carrying every time you go anywhere. Like the Boy Scouts, always be prepared. This habit also gets to accustomed to the feel of concealed carry so it becomes part of your attire.
- Lacking Firearm Knowledge
When you conceal carry, it’s your job to acquire knowledge of firearms laws. That includes local, state, and federal firearms laws. And you need to know exactly when local, state, and federal laws say. This is your responsibility when you make the decision to conceal carry.
- Carrying a Weapon for the Wrong Reasons
When you carry a concealed weapon, you are doing so to protect yourself, your family, and your property. If your reason for carrying is to scare others or to strut around as a badass, then you have no business carrying a concealed weapon.
With your weapon comes the responsibility to do absolutely everything to avoid having to fire it.
