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?