Chicks With Guns

A friend just sent me this article, and I just have to share it.  Photographer Lindsay McCrum recently released a photo book called Chicks With Guns.

At first glance, that title made me all kinds of nervous.  I’ve seen way too many gun magazines featuring busty, scantily-clad women posing with whatever new gun they’re apparently trying to sell.

And so, the photos in this gallery are surprisingly refreshing.

I love that the photographer says she’s not trying to make a political statement.  She’s not trying to “glorify” or “vilify” anyone.  She simply wanted to learn more about the community of women gun owners, and share that with the world.

These portraits are gorgeous.  It is so positive to see women who could be your neighbors and friends displaying their love of firearms in a positive way.  I may need to buy the book just so I can see more of these!

Enjoy!

Cardigans and Cupcakes!

Why hello there, October!  Can you believe we are so far into fall already?  I can't, mainly because the temperatures keep jumping between the fifties and the eighties.  But, regardless of how the thermometer feels, I've decided it's definitely time for fall.

I made Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes, oh yes!  Recipe

Autumn is without a doubt my favorite season.  Beautiful colors, warm baked goods, cozy clothing, and a general feeling of comfort.  Today I pulled out my fall boots, even though the high was eighty.  But the best part, if you ask me, is the sweaters.  In particular, and especially in these early weeks of indecisive weather, cardigans.

Cardigans are great!  Usually light weight, they can be worn on warmer days or layered for colder ones.  They are classic.  Audrey Hepburn rocked them, and they are still wildly popular today.  They can be dressed up or dressed down.  Versatility!

My own collection of cardigans has grown quite a bit recently!  Clearly I am into embellished cardigans.

Clearly I am *very* into cardigans.

And of course, they conceal!  Cardigans conceal spectacularly.  Typically they're a bit looser around the middle, so they can easily hide a bulge whether you wear them buttoned up or open.

A lot of concealment is about the art of distraction.  Layers, different types of fabric, textures, all distract nicely from any shapes that might otherwise be noticed as not quite natural.

And a lot of the reasons that cardigans are so great also apply to clothing in general when looking for things that will conceal well:

• The fabric has some structure to it 
• It's not too clingy, even if it’s tight-fitting 
• Not too thin 
• The garment allows some space between you and it 
• Texture hides bumps

Encouragingly, cardigans can be worn well by anyone.  So find what inspires you, whether it’s color, texture, embellishments, or accessories, and get ready to conceal fashionably for fall!

The Belly Band Review (Part 1)

I’ve decided to start out with a Galco Underwraps Belly Band. The belly band is typically a wide band of elastic material that fastens around the torso with Velcro. It has built-in pockets for the handgun and often pockets for extra magazines or other items too. The belly band seemed like a good option for me because I don’t often wear belts. Since the belly band uses the tension of the elastic to stay put, it should (theoretically) be useful under many different types of clothing, and doesn’t require a belt.

I like the design of the Galco because the actual gun pockets are leather. Should be pretty sturdy. It has one pocket designed to fit revolvers and one for semi-autos. I chose the tan color so that it will be less likely to show under lightly-colored clothing. It also comes in black.

Reminder: When trying out a new holster of any type, ALWAYS become familiar with it and do any fiddling while the gun is EMPTY. Do not use a loaded gun until you are confident about where you will wear the holster and how to safely put the gun into and take it out of the holster. Finger off the trigger! (I need a graphic here of a smiling 50s housewife shaking her finger at you…)

To start out, I am wearing the belly band low on my hips, so it sits mostly below the waist of my jeans. It took a few minutes of wondering why the pockets seemed to be going the wrong way before I realized that right-handed users wear it with the leather pockets facing in, left-handed users wear it with the pockets facing out. (Yes, reading the directions is a good idea!)

After a bit of experimenting with positioning, I think the most concealable position is placing it so that the gun is in the middle of the small of my back. I positioned it there wearing jeans and a form-fitting top, and did some modeling for my hubby.

“Oh, is that a new shirt?”

Success!  (Seriously, that’s exactly what he said.  I was quite pleased.)

So, first impression, I would say the belly band is pretty comfortable and very concealable.  Of course, wearing it around the house is not exactly the same as wearing it in the real world.  I’ll spare you all the details, but I have so far worn it in the low-on-the-waist position on several occasions, with several different types of outfits.  Here’s what I think:

Comfort:  Overall, the belly band is quite comfortable in this position.  The elastic is soft, and the Velcro is sewn in such a way as to avoid scratching.  My only complaints are pretty minor.  First, when worn low on the hips like this, I did experience a bit of chaffing against my hipbones.  Second, I did occasionally feel some poking from the corners of the Velcro.  Both problems were easily solved by wearing a thin tank top under the belly band, putting a softer fabric against my skin.  The tank top did cause some minor difficulties in the Confidence category, as you’ll see below, so it’s a bit of a toss up. 

The belly band was also very comfortable while out and about.  Walking, standing, sitting in an overstuffed armchair, and sitting in a chair at a restaurant were all just fine.  The only time I encountered a problem was while driving.  With the gun positioned right in the small of my back, sitting in the driver’s seat of my car was not great.  I did notice that having the gun slightly lower was better than slightly higher.  While not terribly comfortable, I was able to wear the belly band this way for short trips.  I would not, however, wear it with the gun for long trips.  If the situation allowed, it may be easier to put the gun in the glove box for the drive, then return it to the belly band at the destination.

Overall, I’m giving the belly band a 6 for Comfort when worn below the waistline.  On the whole I am quite pleased with the comfort of it, but the driving issue could be a big one depending on the situation.

Concealability:  (Microsoft Word informs me that I have made up a new word here.  Oh well, so did Shakespeare, right?)

As mentioned above, the Concealability of the belly band with my Ruger LCP is quite good.  It fit nicely in the waistband of all of my jeans, and disappeared under most types of tops.  I was able to wear it with a form fitting jersey-type top, t-shirts, and flowing blouses.  Any type of jacket or cardigan is also great for concealing a lump on your back.  There are definitely some outfits that won’t hide a gun in the belly band, such as tops that are skin-tight around the waist, or anything made out of thinner fabric.  But, of course, not every method of concealment will work with every outfit!

Most of the time, I’ve worn a tank top under the belly band.  This does a lot for the comfort.  I also found it did not inhibit the concealability.  As long as the tank top isn’t bunchy and doesn’t have embellishments, it shouldn’t show under other shirts.  Plus, layering is a great look, so you can totally make it work!

I’m giving the belly band an 8 for Concealability worn below the waistline.  It was pretty darn easy to make it disappear with most types of clothing!

Confidence:  Ah, confidence.  Turns out, confidence is trickier than I expected it to be!  It is very difficult to tell whether a problem with confidence is due to the particular product, or simply because I’m not used to using said product.  Because, let’s face it, having four inches of elastic strapped around you and a gun to boot is not easily ignored!

My problem here is that I felt like the belly band, and my LCP in its pocket, were riding up.  I especially felt this when standing up after sitting.  However, when I checked, they really didn’t seem to have moved much.  I think I was a little paranoid because I am not yet used to wearing the belly band.  It would make sense that there is some riding up occurring.  The elastic band is not contoured at all, and when putting a straight band around curved hips, it’s naturally going to want to ride up.  But, I don’t think it ever moved enough that it would cause a real problem.  Being nervous the whole time I’m wearing it is a problem, but again, that may just be me.

I’m not sure whether or not the tank top I’ve been wearing under the belly band may have contributed to this problem.  It did seem like I experienced more riding up on the days that I was wearing the tank top.  I think it affects how tightly the elastic is able to hold on to my waist.  Clearly, some more experimentation with different types of tank tops is in order.  That and working on my nervousness…

The other half of Confidence is whether you can confidently access your weapon if you needed to.  Here, the belly band does well.  Positioned on the small of my back, I am able to reach for the gun and naturally and easily find it.  It slips in and out of the pocket smoothly.  It’s a good idea to do some practicing of drawing your weapon, finding your grip, and acquiring your target, all of course while the gun is unloaded and in a safe direction.

On the whole, I give the belly band a 6 for Confidence when worn low on the hips.

So, the belly band, worn low on the waist, gets a 6 for Comfort, 8 for Concealability, and 6 for Confidence.  Average score: 6.7.

Keep in mind, this is just my experience.  Next I will be reviewing the belly band worn higher, on the natural waist.  Could turn out to be totally different!

Have you tried a belly band for carrying?  How did you like it?

The Rating Game

Alrighty, folks, it’s time to get down to it. The big question. How the heck am I going to carry a concealed handgun with me while being comfortable, practical, and stylish?

Well, there are many options. And there’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. As with any fashion question, the answer is that it all depends on you. When you find the option that works for you, jives with your style, and gives you confidence, that’s when you look good.

The only way to discover the best method of carrying for you is to experiment. With any luck, you’ll find something that works for you without too much trouble. For the benefit of you, the reader, I’m going to experiment with just about every option I can get my hands on. It’s my hope that my experiences will help you to narrow down your choices. But remember, what works for me might not work for you, so be patient and be flexible!

The Rating Game

I’ll be evaluating each carry method in three categories: Comfort, Concealability, and Confidence

Comfort: It’s important that whatever equipment you use to carry is comfortable. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’d be very enthused about carry a handgun if doing so meant getting pinched, poked, or otherwise assaulted by my own accessories. Now, keep in mind that carrying will feel different at first. You’re adding a new, possibly bulky, item to your wardrobe, and it will take some getting used to. But, it should not cause unnecessary discomfort.

1= I would rather jump into a pit of porcupines 

10= Feels like a brand-new cashmere sweater

Concealability: The whole point is the ability to conceal your weapon, right? But how easily does it disappear? Can you put it on, slip into a beautiful blouse, and watch your handgun vanish? Of course, the type of clothing that is paired with any method of carry makes a big difference. It’s likely that some methods will work great with one type of shirt, and not at all with another. So it’s definitely possible that more than one method of carry could be necessary to cover your entire wardrobe.

1= Is that an extra appendage? 

10= Invisible, and figure-enhancing too!

Confidence: Let’s just say, if you constantly need to fiddle with your gun and slash or holster to ensure that it stays in place, you might be defeating the purpose. A successful method of concealment should allow you to confidently go about your regular daily activities without having to worry about whether your weapon is moving about, coming out of hiding, or threatening to escape altogether. Again, same idea here as above, this will be a new feeling and something to adjust to, but you should be able to feel confident going out in public armed. There is also an aspect of confidence in use, meaning that you should also feel confident that the gun is accessible and usable, i.e. not so stuck in your pocket that there’s no hope of getting it out if it’s ever needed.

1= Maybe some duct tape would help… 

10= The Bionic Woman, now with built-in holster!

(By the way, I’m assuming my readers pick up on a bit of humor…)

I was really hoping to also post part one of my first review today.  But, this post turned out to be quite long, and I haven't even added the pictures yet!  So, don't worry, the review of the belly band is coming soon!

Guest Post: Ethical Concealment

This week we have a guest post from my friend Seth.  He’s a good friend and a good shot.  And he has more experience carrying than me!  I’ll be back next week with Part 1 of my review of carrying with a Belly Band.  Cheers!

-Christina

Ethical Concealment 

Many professions have a code of ethics to which its professionals must adhere, and that code of ethics is usually established without requiring adherence to a given moral code. For instance, it is unethical for a doctor to sleep with one of his patients, but it is not necessarily immoral to do so (say, if the patient is his wife). The distinction between what is morally acceptable and what is ethically acceptable is more than semantics, but to avoid unnecessary philosophizing I will simply say that my intent is to make public the ethical code I choose to follow every time I holster my sidearm and tuck it under my shirt.

One of the downsides I perceive when someone [in Colorado] participates in a CCW class is that a great deal of energy is spent going over gun safety, legal ramifications, and shoot/don't shoot situations, but very little time is spent talking about carrying while nothing bad is happening. I have been carrying my handgun consistently for over two years, and I am fortunate that I have never had to reveal it in self-defense. That means about 80% of my CCW class prepared me for 0% of my real-world experience. Over the last two years, I have developed the following ethical guidelines that I wish I had thought about when I first started carrying.

1.    Keep it concealed. When you first start carrying, there is often a temptation to let your friends know that you have made the decision to carry a handgun and that you're doing a great job of concealing it. There are a dozen justifications that will pop into your head as to why you don't really need to keep it concealed. Whatever those justifications, do yourself and others a favor and carry your firearm well concealed.

2.    If someone asks, use discretion. If someone asks me if I'm carrying, I rarely feel a moral obligation to answer them honestly. The only reason I ever answer honestly is if the person asking has a legitimate reason to ask.

3.    Firepower does not work in degrees. Shooting a person in self defense constitutes the use of deadly force, even if you only shoot them in the knee or shoulder. A firearm cannot be set to stun... it is a tool of death and should be respected as such.

4.    Obey the law. You have an absolutely rigid ethical obligation to obey the law. My employer's HR guidelines state that no weapons are permitted on the premises, so I don't carry while in the office. I wouldn't get caught if I did carry, but it would flatly contradict my claim that I should be able to carry a handgun because I am a law-abiding citizen.

5.    A threat does not always justify the use of deadly force. Defusing a situation or simply walking away is always preferable to ending a life. Carrying a firearm should make you more tolerant of harassment and verbal assault, because you will know that you can immediately stop it if it turns into physical assault.

6.    Carrying a firearm is an act of self-trust. If you do not trust your self-discipline, do not carry a firearm. If you doubt your ability to decide that a threat must be terminated with a hole through his chest, do not carry a firearm. If you are not willing to risk your life as a free man on your ability to make the right choice, do not carry a firearm. Since I began carrying, I have become remarkably more confident in my own ability to make judgments in all areas of my life (work, personal, and financial).

One of the best articles I have ever read on this topic is Ethics from the Barrel of a Gun. I wish it were required reading for anyone to receive their concealed handgun permit. Rather than quoting it at length and making a poor attempt at elaboration, I will simply point you to the site and strongly encourage you to give it a read.

-Seth

As always, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author of this post.

Word to the Wise: Gun Laws and Permits

Hopefully this goes without saying, but don't carry a concealed handgun unless you are legally permitted to do so!  With the exception of a very few states, there is a legal process to go through in order to receive a Concealed Carry permit.  

Also, it is very important that you are familiar with the laws in your own state to ensure that you are carrying legally at all times.

The NRA has a very helpful breakdown of all the state laws here.  I can't vouch for the accuracy of their information, but being the NRA my guess is they're on top of things.

Tools of the Trade

Tool:  noun \ˈtül\ 

1. a : a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task (…) 
2. a : something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or profession <a scholar's books are his tools> (…)

First things first… Generally, I’m going to avoid politics in this blog.  Aside from the obvious concern for one’s right to carry a firearm and defend oneself, I really don’t care if you label yourself a Republican or a Democrat.

But here’s one point I think is important: A gun is a tool.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It is, as Webster tells us above, a device that aids in a task.  It is an instrument.  It is “used.”

I mention this because I think it helps us put guns in perspective.  They are dangerous, and need to be used responsibly, just like a saw or a hammer.  The are useful, just like a screwdriver or drill.  They are not scary, and cannot jump up and hurt you of their own volition, just as a wrench or pair of pliers cannot do anything without someone using them.

Now, to be fair, among friends we often refer to our guns as “toys.”  But properly, and for the sake of this blog, I will try to use the more appropriate term, “tools.”

So, that being said, allow me to introduce you to my tools of the trade!

First, my Ruger SP 101.  This gun is my baby, my first love (as you could probably tell from the picture at the top of the blog!).  It is a five shot, double-action revolver chambered in .357 magnum.

I love this gun.  It fits my hand perfectly, it goes where I want it to go, and boy, does it pack a punch!

Let me tell you, I love walking up to the range desk to purchase some ammunition for it, and being told, “You know you have to hold on to that, right?”

Or in my NRA Handgun Certification class, when the instructor said, “Well, you could definitely carry that, IF you can control it!”

I guess people are just surprised that I, representing the more petite end of the fairer sex, would enjoy shooting such a powerful round.  But I do!

Unfortunately, I don’t think I will try to carry the SP 101 much, simply because of its weight.  It is a heavy gun, for sure.  We’ll see though, I’ll probably at least try it to see how it goes!

Next up is my Ruger LCP.  Lightweight Compact Pistol.  Those are exactly the words I’m looking for when it comes to a gun to carry!  This pistol can carry six rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber.  It shoots .380 ACP.  And mine has a Crimson Trace laser sight!

I love how tiny this gun is.  In all directions.  And very light, making for a great option to carry.

This one definitely took some getting used to!   Being so small and lightweight meant it took some practice to learn how to grip it effectively.  And laser sights are something else!  They’re great to use, but require a totally different strategy than what I was used to!

I really feel like I’m getting the hang of it though.  Which is important, if this is the one I’m going to carry most of the time!  You’ve got to be confident in what you’re carrying, knowing that in a high-pressure situation you’ll probably shoot half as well as you would in practice.  Not that we’re ever hoping to be in a high-pressure situation!  (More on that in future posts!)

So, most of the methods of concealed carry we’ll be trying out will be using the LCP.  However, for the sake of curiosity, I’ll try a few with the SP 101 too.  I might even throw in a few experiments with my hubby’s Springfield XDM, or whatever more compact 9mm he ends up purchasing for carrying!

What are your preferred tools?

What's This All About?

Style is important.  We’ve all got our own style, and that’s how it should be!  Along the same lines, we all care about how we look.  Some people care more than others, but I don’t think I’ve met anyone who literally didn’t care at all.

Your style is how you present yourself to the world.  It gives a first impression, gives people an idea of how you feel about yourself and how you feel about life!  I know, that’s a little heavy when making six a.m. decisions about what to wear…

I wouldn’t ever call myself a fashionista.  But I do enjoy being “stylish.”  I enjoy putting together new outfits from my closet, and I feel better about myself on days when I’m successful at it.  I like to dress somewhat professionally, and I enjoy being a little fancy!  (My hubby apparently thinks I often overdress…)

Hubby and I being fashionable

Anyways, it was several months ago when the discussion of getting our concealed carry permits came up in our household.  In some preliminary internet research about women’s carry options, I came across an article written by a woman.

Great!  A woman’s perspective!

Within the first paragraph, I read, “You’re going to have to start buying jeans in the men’s department.”

Seriously?!

If I hadn’t already decided that this was what I wanted to do, I’m pretty sure that line would have completely turned me off.  And I’ve been using firearms for a long time.  I can only imagine what that would do to a girl who’s trying to decide whether or not she should buy a gun, let alone try to carry one.

So, here’s what I’m trying to prove… and this list will probably continue to grow!

• We women should be able to carry concealed handguns just as easily as the boys can
• We shouldn’t have to make drastic changes to our style (small changes, yes)
• Carrying a handgun should be comfortable, and practical
• We can still be cute while protecting ourselves!

Now, I know I’ll never be able to carry a pocket pistol in a pair of skinny jeans.  But I think with a little creativity, some good equipment, and an awareness of how to conceal in different types of clothing, being fashionable, and discreet, while carrying a handgun should be completely possible!

What are you trying to prove?

At The Intersection of Feminine and Firepower

Welcome!

I find myself at an intersection.  Feminine and firepower.  Pretty and packing heat.  Simply put, I'm setting out to be an armed woman while continuing to be fashionable and practical.

Whether you're relatively new to the world of concealed firearms (like me) or you've been packing for years, you may have noticed that there are not a lot of options out there for women.  Of course, carrying a concealed weapon is absolutely doable, and many women do.  However, when it comes to equipment designed for women, or advice tailored to those of the feminine persuasion, what's available is disappointingly limited.

Which is where this blog comes in.  I've just started carrying on a regular basis, and I haven't settled on my setup yet.  I'm going to be trying out different equipment, taking a serious look at my personal fashion, and gathering all the advice and information I can get.  Hopefully others at this intersection will benefit as well!

Let's go!