Problems Unique to those who Conceal Carry Weapons

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It’s true. Being able to carry a concealed weapon has advantages. You feel safer. Statistics would agree that you are less likely to be the victim of crimes like robbery, home invasion, mugging, rape, carjacking. When you are concealed carrying a weapon you feel more secure. You are more confident you can protect yourself, your family, and your property.

However, those who conceal carry weapons have problems unique to conceal carry.

1. You are now faced with a dilemma. Assuming you can legally conceal carry in a place that served alcohol in your state, any responsible concealed carry owner knows that weapons and alcohol do not mix. So, the dilemma is: leave your handgun at home or stay away from social gatherings where alcohol is being served. You don’t feel entirely safe without your weapon so you avoid these types of gatherings. But by avoiding them you miss out on opportunities that might well contribute to your career advancement. At the very least, you miss out of social experiences.
2. Those who do not concealed carry don’t have to make tough decisions: should I risk locking my gun in the glove box of my  car? Should I leave my weapon at home in case I end up going somewhere where concealed carry is not allowed?
3. If you carry a concealed weapon you cannot afford to be oblivious to what is going on around you. A  responsible concealed carrier is habitually aware of everything around him all the time everywhere he goes. This means a conscious, continuous heightened level of situational awareness.
4. All people have disagreements, even heated arguments. However, if you are carrying a concealed weapon, you are obligated to keep your feelings in check. You can’t afford to get into a situation where your emotions—good and bad—get the better of you. A heated discussion of armed opponents can fast become an armed conflict. The result of a split second of letting  you feelings rule can be death.
5. Until the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is ratified, you still run the risk of crossing into a state that does not allow concealed carry. After that, while your concealed carry permit will allow to have a weapon in a state not your home, there will still be differences in what and where each state or municipality allows. Those who conceal carry must be aware of these differences. Failure to do so may mean fines, and/or confiscation of your weapon and/or even jail time. These are issues those who do not carry a concealed weapon never face.
6. Protecting yourself and your property comes with a risk. It’s prevalent enough that The National Rifle Association sells insurance against concealed carry weapon owners using their handguns for self-protection. We live in a society full of litigation. It is not uncommon for those who use force to protect themselves against assailants to be sued by the perpetrator. Those who do not own a weapon seldom get into such a dilemma. 

Those who conceal carry weapons have problems unique to conceal carry. Clearly most would say the risks are more than worth the difficulties they face due to their carrying a weapon.