Insights with Sticky Holsters
Concealed Carry Do’s and Don’ts
Written by: Eric Rice
Carrying a firearm concealed on a daily basis in a safe and comfortable manner can be an arduous task, even for those who have been doing it for years. In this month’s blog, I will be covering some things to do, things to not do based on the experiences I have acquired over the years.
Unfortunately, there is no “Easy” button to concealed carry. This is because everyone is built differently, has different pain points, dress differently, have different lifestyles, and different tastes in guns, holsters, etc. The only way to get experience is by doing. But you want to do it the right way and hopefully you can learn some tips from others to help you, so you don’t make the same mistakes as others. As instructors its important for us to pass along the knowledge. I will stress the importance of facts though over opinions and personal taste. For info on choosing your first handgun please refer to Blog number 1 of these series. Below I have highlighted some of the Do’s and Don’ts to concealed carry.
Do:
- Practice and experiment at home or in a safe, quiet, and private area. Practice walking, running, bending, sitting, and laying. Practice drawing the firearm from all of these different positions. (Ensure the firearm is unloaded and live ammo is not near or in the gun). You want to practice when you can focus on what you are doing especially if you are new to the whole concealed carry game. Experiment carrying in different IWB positions and/or off body carry (ie backpack, purse or waist pack).
- Carry in your house for a minimum of a few days prior to going out in public. Use this time to get used to the feel of the gun, weight of the gun, etc. You are going to have to find new or creative ways of doing normal everyday tasks. An example is if you are carrying a Glock 17 in a AIWB holster with a sidecar for an extra mag and you can’t touch your toes, how will you tie your shoes if the laces come undone?
- Wear layered or patterned shirts. Patterns or layered clothing will help break up the outline of the firearm.
- Adjust and modify your clothing size and style to adapt to the concealed carry lifestyle. I often take my largest holster with me when buying new pants or shorts. This way I know all my pants/shorts will fit with my largest gun/holster. Buy multiple gun belts of different styles and colors. Purchase different types of holsters for different dress and activities.
- Train and take classes from reputable instructors. Concealed carry is a lifestyle. Learn to shoot, learn to shoot in a tactical/self-defense situation, learn to shoot from retention, learn trauma care, learn martial arts. Never stop learning. You have chosen to carry a tool to potentially save your life and your loved one’s lives. Just standing still in an air-conditioned flat static range taking five seconds to shoot at a paper silhouette is not sufficient.
Don’t:
- Mess with the gun, holster or your shirt. Movement draws attention. If I am in public, and I see someone get up from their seat, or out of their car and the first thing they do is adjust their shirt in the back, I automatically know they are carrying a gun in the small of the back position. (I don’t recommend SOB carry for this reason and many others).
- Worry about people seeing your firearm. This is a normal and common fear when you first start carrying. Everyone gets dressed and looks in the mirror to see if they can see the gun. I promise you, everywhere you put it, you will see it. Why? Because you know it’s there. 99.9999% of people are so unaware and don’t care to even look for people carry a gun. If they are trained and are looking most likely they are on your side anyways.
- Have a superiority complex. Leave the superhero/tough guy mentality at home. Just because you slap on a gun, doesn’t make you Dirty Harry or John Wick. You should now have more patience and understanding and the temperament of Mother Theresa. You are carrying a lethal weapon that should be used and only used in the defense of yourself or others. That is a huge responsibility. Remember every bullet has a cop and a lawyer attached to it. Represent yourself and millions of other concealed carriers well.
- Wear shirts or other items with things like “kill them all and let God sort them out” written on them. If you do have to use that gun, literally everything that can, will be used against you. Dear 8lb 6oz baby Jesus do not be that guy or gal.
- Underestimate the value of a quality holster. Don’t just get the cheapest or the one that’s “good enough”. Find one that adequately covers the trigger, is comfortable and fits your lifestyle and clothing style. Like shoes, you will likely need multiple different ones for each gun.
Final Thoughts:
Concealed carry should be taken seriously because it is a life changing decision. The decision to carry a firearm on a daily basis will forever change how you act, view the world, how you shop, and ultimately how you live your life. Embrace this lifestyle and the people living it with you.
Concealed carry is one of the few sub-cultures that is a bridge across all others. It doesn’t matter what your race, religion, political views, heritage, geological location, gender or age. The only requirement into this fraternity is that you have desire to protect yourself and your loved ones. Red Sox and Yankee fans, men and women, democrat and republican, black and white, Christian and Muslim, Texans and New Yorkers all have a common interest of self-defense and preservation. Concealed carry can be a gateway into other conversations that can ultimately bring a greater understand between people based on that common interest. You will find a common interest and friends in this community that without it probably would never have had. In closing, embrace this new lifestyle, ask questions, and never stop learning because your life and the life of your loved ones depend on it.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Carry on and be safe.
