We live in dangerous times. The COVID-19 virus has raised the stress level in every American household. Isolation, employment concerns, and rising numbers of positive cases of COVID-19 have people living in fear.
Not surprisingly, gun sales for first-time gun owners have spiked. People want to protect themselves, their families, and their property. Before you buy a concealed carry weapon here are some important things to consider.
- Consider why You Want a Concealed Carry
This is not a decision to make in haste or fear. Owning and carrying a concealed weapon comes with huge responsibility. It is a safety issue not only for you but for those around you. First, you need to come to terms with why you want a concealed carry weapon. Becoming proficient with a firearm is critical. The decision comes with a new set of circumstances. Simply possessing a weapon is not the issue. You need to decide whether you are going to every day carry. You also need to commit to getting training and practicing to be a competent owner. You need to know how to care for and safeguard your weapon. You need to be prepared to learn about federal, local, and state laws about concealed carry. Are you prepared to use a concealed carry weapon responsibly? Do you have the financial means for a weapon, accessories, and ammunition? If you’ve considered these things, then there are other safety and legal issues.
- Decide which Firearm is Right for You
This is not the most important decision you will ever make. However, it’s a serious one. The weapon you choose must suit your reason for buying a concealed carry. It also must feel comfortable when you are carrying. There are hundreds of options. Don’t choose a gun because it’s cool like the 44 Magnum in Dirty Harry. Don’t buy the weapon your friend has because you’re not sure what to buy. Do a lot of research. Ask questions. Visit to a reputable gun shop and learn from an experienced owner. Think of buying a weapon like purchasing a pair of shoes. Try out many. Choose a gun dealer who will let you dry fire several guns. Then, rent your five top choices and take them to the shooting range. You will learn some surprising facts. Do the same thing when you choose the perfect holster to cradle your new concealed carry.
- Learn to Act Naturally
When you first start to carry a concealed weapon, it’s going to feel strange. You’re going to imagine everyone is staring at you. You will be convinced that everyone knows you are carrying a concealed weapon. For your safety and the comfort of those around you, it is crucial that you get comfortable with concealed carry. Practice at home with your gun, your gun belt, and your holster. Wear them until you’re as comfortable strapping on your weapon as you are buttoning your shirt. You bought your concealed carry to protect yourself and your family. That weapon won’t be much help if it is locked in a gun safe.
- Consider Appropriate Clothing
This has nothing to do with making a fashion statement. Now that you’ve made the decision to concealed carry, it’s time to consider what you’re going to wear. Some clothing doesn’t allow you to access, draw, and re-holster your gun. You might have trouble concealing your weapon in the clothes you regularly wear. You may need garments that are larger or baggier than you are accustomed to wearing. This is a safety issue. If your gun gets caught when you are attempting to draw or you can’t get at your gun quickly, then those clothes aren’t going to work. How can you tell? When you are wearing your weapon around the house, try drawing and re-holstering in a variety of clothes. Check to make sure your weapon is concealed. Your over garment should cover your weapon –including the grip. Finding clothes that work well is easier if you choose a below-the-waistband holster. Later, you may wish to try other holster types or positions but this is a good start. If clothes aren’t going to work for everyday carry, set them aside to wear when you aren’t carrying or give them away.
- Safeguard Your Weapon
For the protection of your family and to obey the law, it is crucial to place your concealed carry weapon in a safe location when you are not carrying it. You have a legal and moral responsibility to make sure your weapon is not accessible to others. To do this, you need a gun safe or locked cabinet, or a gunroom. If your weapon is not on you or in a locked location, it is a liability. A good spot to make it easily accessible but safely locked away is to consider4 a quick access gun safe. It is important not to become complacent about weapon storage. Make a consistent habit of securing your weapon. Tragedies occur when guns are not locked in a safe location separate from the ammunition.
- Take a Firearms Safety Course
There are two good reasons to take this course. The first is about gun safety. A firearms safety course will make you a more knowledgeable and responsible gun owner. Second, in order to qualify for a concealed weapon license in many states, the law requires you to provide proof of competency with a firearm. While a concealed carry permit may not be required in your state, taking a firearms safety course is always a good idea. This course teaches important lessons about the safe use of a firearm. You will learn basic firearms safety practices, the safe storage of different types of ammunition, how to operate, dismantle, clean, and reassemble your firearm, safe storage and transportation of your weapon. You can take this course in a classroom at a designated time and location. However, thanks to technology, you can also take this course online from anywhere you wish and at any time. Accredited course providers like National Carry Academy (http://www.nationalcarryacadem.com) will provide you with a certificate of successful completion of this course.
- Practice as if Your Life Depended on it!
Practice isn’t mandatory. But, if you want to protect yourself, your family, and your property, then you need to know how to use your weapon. Without practice, you won’t be able to draw smoothly and rapidly. Without practice, you won’t be able to shoot accurately. Without practice, there is a good chance you will freeze in a real-life situation. You can get in a lot of practice dry firing. That means you don’t have to go to the firing range and you don’t waste a lot of ammunition. The idea is to create good muscle memory by drawing your gun bringing it to the shooting position over and over and over again using an empty weapon. Check out the National Carry Academy (http://www.nationalcarryacadem.com) blog on dry firing. Range practice is also vital to keep your drawing, aiming and firing skills up. If you are not adept with your weapon, then you won’t be able to defend yourself or your family. Put in the practice time. Otherwise, there is no reason to carry a weapon.
- Consider where You Can Legally Carry
When you are not carrying a weapon, you can go practically anywhere. However, this about to change. There are places your federal, state, and local governments have declared “no guns” zones. These most often include churches, schools, daycare centers, movie theaters, bars, licensed restaurants, state and federal building. However, this list varies from state to state and even from one municipality to another. Ignorance is no excuse. You need to know what state and local laws say about where you are allowed to concealed carry. Many private businesses and homeowners have a “no guns allowed” policy. You are required to obey these guidelines as well. I know you want to protect yourself and your family. But, you also need to obey the law. Otherwise, you could risk fines, jail time, and/or having your weapon confiscated.
- Get a Concealed Carry Permit
Some states require that you have a concealed carry. Others do not. Even if your state does not stipulate that you must obtain a concealed carry permit, it is wise to get one. Your concealed carry permit will be accepted in many other states under the Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation. There are other benefits besides making your weapon legal. CCW licenses make law enforcement people more relaxed about your weapon. CCW permits also allow you to carry in more public areas. Firearms owners who have CCW permits have learned more about how to use, transport, and store their firearms. That means what you’ve learned qualifying for a permit makes you a safer, more responsible gun owner. If you have a CCW permit, it is also easier to buy a firearm. For more information about how to obtain a concealed carry, permit click on National Carry Academy (http://www.nationalcarryacadem.com).
- Learn about Reciprocity
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation stipulates that a state may accept the concealed carry permit of other states. Many states now do this. However, some don’t. If you are planning to take your weapon to another state, it is important to learn whether your CCW permit is accepted in the state(s) you are visiting. You also need to find where you may carry in the state you are visiting. Also, check out the rules about transporting your weapon. If the state you are visiting does not recognize your CCW permit then you can leave your weapon at home or you could get a permit for that state as a non-resident. Many sources offer current information about this including: https://www.gunstocarry.com/ccw-reciprocity-map/.
In Conclusion
The decision to buy a concealed carry weapon is not one to take lightly. There are many things to consider. However, you will discover there are also a lot of benefits. You are better prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your property. You’ll feel more in control of situations. You will discover that carrying a concealed weapon makes you more careful and more observant of your surroundings.
