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How often do you carry a gun? Be honest. People go through a great deal of preparation, training, and expense to legally carry a concealed firearm for self-defense, but, unfortunately, many of those same people fail to carry their firearms daily. Their reasons are many, maybe it’s uncomfortable or heavy. Maybe they worry about it being seen. Whatever the reason, owning a gun and having a concealed carry permit won’t do you any good if you do not have it with you when you need it.

What the Data Says

It used to be simple to get an idea of how many people legally carried a gun by checking how many permits were issued by each state. However, since 29 states currently allow permitless carry, getting reliable statistics is more difficult. The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) tracks all aspects of gun ownership and crime across the United States, and unlike some organizations with a bias for gun control like Everytown for Gun Safety, the CPRC presents fair and accurate research results.

According to the CPRC, the number of Americans with concealed carry permits spiked in 2022 at 22 million, a 2.3% increase over 2021. That number dropped to 21.5 million in 2024 or about 8.2% of the overall population, a 1.8% drop from 2023. However, before believing the anti-2A claim that the drop in the number of permits indicates that fewer people are legally carrying firearms, consider that the number of states allowing permitless carry has increased since 2022 meaning more people than ever do not need a permit in their home state. 

To get a more accurate idea of the number of people legally carrying a concealed firearm, the CPRC commissioned a survey of general election voters on December 17th, 2024, asking whether they carry concealed handguns. The survey found that 24% of those surveyed carry a concealed handgun. Breaking the 24% who said they carry further, 13% carried all or most of the time and 11% carried rarely or some of the time. Unsurprisingly, the results indicated that people living in permitless carry states carried more often than those living in shall-issue permit states. So much for the accuracy of measuring carry rates by the number of permits issued. Although the survey sample only consisted of general election voters, which leaves out anyone who did not vote, it does give us some numbers to work with. The survey also provided a lot of other information breaking carry rates down by gender, ethnicity, political party affiliation, age, and even who they voted for. The full survey can be found here.

Reasons (Excuses) People Use Not to Carry Daily

So, given how much effort and expense people go through to legally carry a gun for self-defense, why did almost half of the survey respondents who said they carry a gun say they only carry some of the time or even rarely? Why would someone go to all that trouble and then not carry their gun? Presumably, they originally decided to carry a gun because they were concerned about crime and keeping themselves and their loved ones safe. What changed? Did they decide they were safe enough and did not need to carry a gun anymore? It’s much simpler than that, the main reasons people do not carry daily center around comfort and convenience. 

It’s Too Bulky

One excuse is that their gun is too bulky. Granted, a full-size pistol like a 9mm Glock 17, is about 8” long and 5.4” tall with a 7” slide and a 4.5” barrel. That size makes it easier to shoot than a compact or micro-compact gun, but a lot more difficult to carry concealed. It can be done, I carried a Glock 21 concealed for years, but it is a lot more work than a smaller gun. A compact gun designed for concealed carry, like a 9mm Glock 26 is only about 6.5” long and 4” tall, and sub-compact guns like the S&W M&P Bodyguard are even smaller. If you are not carrying your gun whenever you leave your house because it is too bulky, then maybe you should consider a smaller gun.

It’s Too Heavy or Uncomfortable

Another common excuse is that their gun is too heavy or uncomfortable to carry. A steel 1911 pistol weighs around 38 ounces, almost 2.5 pounds. Add a loaded magazine and you are carrying around a lot of weight all day. So, yes, that might be a bit heavy for some folks. On the other hand, the very popular Sig P365 designed specifically for concealed carry, weighs a scant 17.8 ounces. There is no question that carrying a heavy gun can be tiring, so if your gun is too heavy, consider getting a lighter gun.

Another factor that can make a gun feel heavy or uncomfortable to carry is a poor-quality holster. Getting the right inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster requires some experimentation to find the best match for your body type, but once you do the difference in comfort is like night and day. A cheap and poorly designed holster will not support the weight of your gun evenly and will often hold it at such an angle that it digs into your body when you move and when you are sitting.

A third factor that makes a gun feel heavy and uncomfortable is a flimsy belt. The average off-the-rack belt at Walmart is designed to hold your pants up, and that’s it. Many belts are so pliant that when you add the weight of a gun, they will sag and drag your pants down on that side. Investing in a good stiff belt will alleviate the sagging problem and make carrying your gun easier and more comfortable. I use a 1.5” Lenwood Conveyor that is very rigid and completely waterproof, but there are numerous other excellent belts on the market. With the right combination of gun, holster, and belt you might forget you are even carrying a gun. It is just a matter of finding the right tool for the job.

It Doesn’t Fit My Wardrobe

There is a school of thought that says you should learn to dress around your gun. When people say they cannot carry a gun because the clothes they like make it difficult to conceal, they should rethink the situation. Carrying a concealed firearm is a lifestyle. I made the decision never to go anywhere I can legally carry a gun without one and have developed my wardrobe to maximize comfort and concealability while matching the way I like to dress. That may mean carrying a pocket-sized gun if I’m in shorts and a tank top, but I never have any difficulty dressing comfortably and still being able to carry my gun. There are all types of holsters on the market, and for women who often do not wear a belt or men when they are in workout clothes such as the PHLSTER Enigma. There are belly bands and concealment T-shirts that will enable you to conceal your handgun no matter how you are dressed. Finally, there are off-body options. After some experimentation, many people find that the necessary wardrobe adjustments are relatively minor. In the end, it comes down to deciding which is more important, dressing in a particular way or being able to defend yourself in a life-and-death situation.

I’m Just Running to the Store Near My House

Another reason people use to not carry their gun is that they are just running a short errand. It is true that some areas are safer than others. The CPRC study found that people from urban and rural areas are more likely to carry their guns than people living in suburban areas. This likely reflects suburban dwellers’ belief that their neighborhoods and the surrounding commercial businesses that serve them are safer than big cities. While this may be true, crime can occur anywhere. Interestingly, people living in rural areas carry more often than urban dwellers, possibly because guns have a bigger place in rural culture. The reality is that one can never predict when and where a crime will occur, or when they might find themselves threatened with death or grievous bodily harm. I live on five acres in a moderately rural area, and I carry a gun whenever I step out my door. That includes barbecuing and mowing the lawn because I always ask myself how I would feel if today was the day I needed my gun and I did not have it.

It’s All in Your Head

In the long run, whether you carry your gun depends entirely on whether you are willing to make the effort. It is that simple. If you are wearing shorts in the summer or heavy clothes in the winter, there are solutions for carrying a concealed firearm. You may feel that nothing is going to happen since you are just running up to fill the gas can for the lawnmower, but what if it does? Like anything else that is worthwhile in life, carrying a concealed firearm for personal protection takes a little work. If it sounds like I’m scolding, maybe I am a little. Just remember that you never need your gun until you do.