It’s been a long process, but you have done it right. You considered all the implications of carrying a gun. You tried out different guns with the help of people in the know until you found the one that was right for you. You got training and practiced until you can not only shoot accurately but understand how your gun operates and can reload or clear a malfunction quickly. You went to the appropriate class to understand your state’s laws and get a concealed carry permit if one was required for your state. Now, the long-awaited day is here, and you’re all set to go out into the world as a legally armed citizen. Now that you have reached this point, here are some important things to keep in mind.

Carrying a Gun is a Significant Responsibility

Like driving a car, you are now in charge of a tool that can end a life or significantly injure someone in the blink of an eye. And like a car, a gun is an inanimate tool that can only do that when controlled by a person. You are that person.

Be Aware of Where Your Gun is at All Times

You should never have to wonder where your gun is. You should always know. Checking to ensure it is where it is supposed to be should be second nature. I’m not talking about constantly checking to be sure it’s still in your holster; with a quality holster that provides good retention, it will not fall out. I’m talking about not leaving it in a public restroom or forgetting to get it out of your car when you get home. Develop a mental checklist that includes always knowing where your gun is.

Dealing with Gyms, Bathrooms and Other CCW Hassles

Another aspect of this is being aware of where your gun is on your body in relation to the people around you, especially in a crowded situation like a busy store or standing in line. Appendix carry keeps your gun securely in front of you, but appendix carry isn’t for everyone. If you prefer carrying your gun at a different location on your waist, be aware that if someone behind you notices it, they could try to grab it in a crowd. It is your responsibility always to maintain full control of your gun.

Be Aware of Where You Are at All Times

Knowing where your gun is also includes knowing where you are. People get caught with a gun while going through security at airports regularly. They also get caught with guns at courthouses and schools. Most of the time, it’s an innocent mistake because they simply forgot they had it. Unfortunately, the law doesn’t make a distinction. Even if you manage not to be charged with a crime, you are still in for a major hassle.

You Are Responsible for Every Bullet You Fire

A 9mm bullet can travel up to 1.5 miles, and it can remain lethal for several hundred yards. That bullet can also penetrate the body of a vehicle and go through a typical dwelling wall. The same bullet fired straight up will come back to earth at a speed of around 150 mph. While in Iraq, I saw the results of falling bullets that went through the hood of a vehicle, the roof of someone’s sleeping quarters, and one that hit a man walking down the street. Always be aware of what is beyond whatever you are shooting at, including a bad guy.

A Powerful Equalizer Does Not Equal Invincibility

A handgun can be a powerful equalizer if you are assaulted by a criminal or mentally unstable person, but it does not make you invincible. Don’t go looking for trouble. Whether a concealed carrier should intervene in an incident that does not directly threaten them is an ongoing debate. Whether you decide to get involved to protect a stranger will depend on the situation and your own choice. The one thing you should never do is intervene for something not life-threatening, like catching a shoplifter. It’s not your job to be a police officer, and you have no idea how the person you are chasing will react.

Avoid Confrontations

A character in Robert Heinlein’s book Beyond This Horizon said, “An armed society is a polite society.” We’d like to think that is true, but as incidents of road rage and pointless confrontations in fast-food restaurants indicate, it isn’t always the case. Some people simply do not have the proper mindset to control their tempers and act rationally. Don’t be that person.

Minor irritations like being cut off in traffic or someone cutting a line are inevitable. Let it roll off your back like the insignificant drop of water it is. If someone is in a hurry or discourteous, let it go. Letting a small thing develop into a potential life-and-death confrontation is just not worth it. You have no idea who the other guy is or how he will react. 

Carrying Comfortably and Confidently Your First Time Out

Even with a comfortable holster, getting used to carrying a gun will take a little time. There are some things you can do to make the transition smoother.

Practice At Home First

Practice makes perfect, and the first place you should practice is at home by carrying your gun around the house. Dress in the same clothes you usually wear when you leave the house and carry your gun the same way you will in public. You may not want to practice carrying it with a round in the chamber, but you should practice carrying it with a full magazine so it weighs and feels the same as it will outside the house. That will help you get used to the weight and tell you how comfortable your holster is. You can also experiment with different cover garments, as well as learn how bending and sitting will affect how well your gun stays covered when you move. 

No, Everyone is Not Looking at You

People sometimes feel like everyone is staring at them the first time they go out carrying a concealed firearm. Something in their brain keeps whispering that everyone knows they have a gun. Trust me, that is not true. As long as you keep it properly concealed, no one will know you have it.

Don’t Fiddle With Your Gun All the Time

A mistake many people new to concealed carry make is constantly checking to be sure their gun is still there and still covered. This is both unnecessary and counterproductive. While it’s normal to want to ensure your gun is still firmly seated in your holster, if you have a good holster, it is not necessary. Make sure your gun is seated properly when you first put it in your holster, then quit worrying about it. I prefer a Kydex holster or a hybrid type that uses a Kydex shell for my gun because I can feel it snap into place when I holster my gun.

As for ensuring it is covered, there are ways to do that without attracting attention. Check your cover garment when you get out of your car so that the motion of checking it is lost in the act of getting out of the car. If you want to check it while you’re out and about, do it before you get into a crowded situation. If you have practiced carrying concealed at home, you will already be aware of how well your cover garment stays in place when you reach for something. 

Carrying a Gun is a Change in Lifestyle

All these things add up to the fact that carrying a gun is a lifestyle change. It can be a little extra effort to get ready to go out. Instead of just throwing some clothes on, you must take the time to get your holster properly positioned and your gun in place. I have several different carry guns. Which one I carry depends on where I’m going and how I will be dressed. That means I must take a little extra time to decide which one to carry and get it set up properly when I get dressed.

None of these things are all that time-consuming, but they are a little more work than not carrying a gun. But since I accept them as a normal part of my day, I never see them as a problem. They are just a natural aspect of getting ready to go somewhere. If you look at it like that, you will avoid being too lazy to carry your gun every time you go out. And you should carry it every time you go out.

Carrying a Gun Introduces a Heightened State of Awareness

When I say awareness, I don’t just mean situational awareness. I mean awareness in general. Yes, you are more aware of who is near you and what is going on around you. I like Jeff Cooper’s color-coded states of situational awareness:

• White – You are completely relaxed. This only applies to me when I am asleep.
• Yellow – You are relaxed but are aware of who and what is around you. My normal state when awake.
• Orange – You see something that may or may not be a threat.
• Red- You have identified a definite threat and are prepared to act.

But you are also more aware of everything else as well. For example, you keep track of your clothes to ensure your gun is still concealed. You make sure you are not entering anywhere that is illegal for you to carry a gun. You are more mindful of how you engage with other people. Overall, carrying a gun puts me more in the moment, and that is a good thing.

With Familiarity Comes Comfort

If all this seems like a lot, don’t let it worry you. The longer you carry a gun as an everyday occurrence, the more it becomes just another aspect of your normal life. Everything becomes second nature, like tying your shoes. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t still be careful and pay attention to what you are doing in every aspect of carrying a gun, just that it becomes much easier and more comfortable with time and experience.

Conclusion

The longer you EDC, the more you become aware that there is more to it than just shoving a gun in your belt and hitting the road. If you already know everything I’ve mentioned in the article, good. Please share it with someone new to concealed carry or someone considering it. The bottom line is that carrying a concealed handgun must be a conscientious decision. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

The 2021 National Firearms Survey conducted by Georgetown University found that “approximately a third of gun owners (31.1%) have used a firearm to defend themselves or their property, often on more than one occasion, and it estimates that guns are used defensively by firearms owners in approximately 1.67 million incidents per year.” In many of those incidents, and no doubt many more that were never reported to authorities, the mere fact that the intended victim had a gun ended the attempted assault without a shot being fired. And that’s the best outcome.