beginner's guide to concealed carry
TRANSCRIPT
Alien Gear Holsters
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The Beginner’s Guide to Concealed Carry
Getting Ready to Concealed Carry?
Beginning concealed carry can be a dauntless task if you’re not familiar with it, or don’t have a friend or family member to guide you through the process.
Alien Gear Holsters is dedicated to all concealed carriers, from those who’ve been in it for decades to those looking to start.
When Beginning Concealed Carry, Plan to Carry Every Day
For many would-be concealed carriers, there's a bunch of hurdles to overcome before taking that big, bold leap into self-defense. You may find, though, that most of the obstacles stopping you from legally and responsibly carrying a handgun every day are mental and not physical. The physical part is quite easy: put on a high quality inside the waistband concealed carry holster that's comfortable and works for you and then put a loaded handgun into that holster. Proceed with life.
But, it's not always that easy to get over the mental obstacles. And they are legitimate. Let's break down a few of the most common ones and show you how they're actually quite manageable.
Beginning Your Concealed Carry
The great thing about becoming a concealed carrier is that you're not obliged to tell everyone you encounter that you're armed. Using the right inside the waistband concealed carry holster can go a long way. It ensures when people see you, they don't see your handgun. The only reason your handgun needs to come up is if it's needed.
Educate yourself on the facts. Regardless of your motivations to carry a concealed firearm, you're doing it to protect yourself. No one needs to come in-between that so long as you do it responsibly.
Initial Cost of Concealed Carry
If you're one of the many of us living paycheck to paycheck, you're probably worried about the costs of getting into concealed carry.
• Concealed Carry application and paperwork ($20-$200) Approved*
• Concealed Carry Handgun course ($70-$130)
• Handgun ($330-$1100) Ammunition ($20-$300)
• Concealed Carry Inside the Waistband (IWB) Holster ($32-$80)
• Hearing Protection ($2-$60)
• Eye Protection ($6-$20)
• Gun cleaning kit ($12-$20)
• Range bag ($5-$80)
Minimum likely expense: ~$500 (cumulative)
You can do this. More importantly, once you've done it, you're opening up a brave new world of opportunities to learn to defend yourself and be able to protect those around you as well.
Family Safety
You know your family better than anyone else. If you live with people whom you don't feel would act responsibly around your firearm, you can take that time to educate them on the principles of firearm safety. If you want to ensure no one has access to it but you, you may need to purchase a handgun safe. There are a lot of affordable options out there and not all of them demand you lug a 400+lb. hunk of steel and iron up the stairs.
Safety and Security No Matter Where You Go
If you find yourself constantly shifting around either due to working conditions or obligations, owning a firearm can actually be a source of security in an uncertain world. A firearm, by itself, can never guarantee safety. It can be a great tool to ensure you are able to defend yourself.
Know the CCW Laws
Before you head out in the morning, you need to know where you shouldn't go with a concealed firearm. This is a mistake that can often cost well-intentioned concealed carriers dearly. There are places which prohibit you from being armed by state or federal law. Those rules change depending upon where you live.
Take a concealed carry handgun course.
Even if it's not explicitly required by law, many of these courses include a classroom portion where the instructor will go over state provisions of when and where you can carry.
Be Prepared For Any EncounterBefore you walk outside your front door, here are a few questions meant to jog that discussion in your head before you are faced with the real thing.
Do you keep a spare magazine in your vehicle?
A lot of the firearms that are geared to concealed carriers sacrifice magazine capacity for size constraints. The main purpose of a concealed carry firearm is to defend your life long enough to either escape or neutralize a threat. It may help to have a quality magazine carrier on you. Solution: Consider carrying a spare magazine or a small quantity of back-up ammunition loaded into moon clips or speed reloaders if you’re using a revolver.
Are your firearms kept safely away from wandering hands?
You may have children in the car with you. Maybe you're just waiting in line at the bank to make a transaction. You need to make sure you're the only person with access to that firearm. The best solution is to keep it in a high-retention concealed carry holster located on the waistband. That means you stay in control no matter what.
Solution: Get a high-retention inside the waistband concealed carry holster that’s positioned according to your comfort and your ability to use it.
Where do you intend to lock up your guns?
In the event you need to part ways with your everyday concealed carry handgun, you need to have a way to secure it from others. This can include a locked safe in the home or even a hidden locked compartment in your vehicle. It’s up to you to decide how you plan on securing your firearm but leaving it out is always a bad idea.
Solution: Find a handgun safe or lock box which can fit your concealed carry handgun. Always have a duplicate key stored somewhere where only you can find it. Always keep a key to this safe on you in case you need to get to your gun in an emergency.
Just Do It
Once you've answered all previous questions to a level you feel comfortable with, you're ready to carry a concealed firearm. The commitment to carrying everyday means you're taking personal responsibility for your well-being. That's a big accomplishment and it's also a big responsibility. Do you feel equipped to handle that?
Make a routine
From the time you get up in the morning, incorporate equipping your concealed carry firearm into your morning routine. Brushing teeth, preparing your kids' lunch, putting on a tie, equipping your inside the waistband concealed carry holster. It's all part of the routine. The more you incorporate your everyday concealed carry handgun into your daily routine, the more you'll find that it fits your lifestyle.
Make a point to carry everywhere, every day
Even when you feel it would be inconvenient to carry, try to carry. Imagine being stuck in a situation where your handgun would be absolutely essential. If you don’t know precisely when that moment can occur, your best bet is to always stay prepared.
Training Isn’t Just For Beginners
A concealed carrier cannot be expected to train everyday or spent tens of thousands of dollars on ammunition every year. You have to set reasonable expectations for your training schedule – but you need to have a training schedule.
Familiarity with your firearm comes from first carrying it everyday, knowing the law, and maintaining situational awareness. The next step is keeping those skills honed through regular practice.
Great Concealed Carry Practices
Set up an alarm for CCW RenewalSet up
Make sure your holster is equipped at all timesMake
Stay current with CCW newsStay
Start carrying in the carStart
Carry around the houseConsistency
Living as a Concealed Carrier
We prepare for the extravagant scenarios where we must defend our lives out in public.
In truth, violence can happen anywhere and often with no warning. Being home alone or home with family, we expect the world to be as docile and serene as we are. The reality is that when you are disarmed, you are exposed. Carrying in the is one of the most important things you can do for your own, and your loved ones, safety.
