How to Manage Daily Concealed Carry Challenges

Daily Concealed Carry - How to Overcome Daily CCW Difficulties

There's certainly a lot of hurdles the average person has to overcome towards being comfortable carrying a concealed firearm. But if you're able to identify the issues that hinder you in your daily carry, you can make steps to overcome them.

Why is that so important?

Because bad guys don't like to give advance notice. If you think leaving your handgun in the car while you jump into the grocery store is a sound strategy, you're leaving it up to strangers to decide the outcome. Here's five hassles we've identified for concealed carriers and we'll discuss some strategies to overcoming these daily ccw challenges.

Commitment To Daily Carry

Maybe you're just not in the mood. Maybe you don't feel like having to be responsible for your concealed carry firearm. Those are choices you make. However, making a commitment to yourself to be a daily carrier is also making a commitment to be responsible for your own and your family's safety. If that's something that's important to you - make a commitment to carry everyday.

Concealed Carry Requires Everyday Comfort

Wearing a handgun in a concealed carry inside the can get tiresome. When you get home, you may feel the desire to take it out immediately and be done with it. But that's not always a good idea. What you should do is that you can comfortably wear every day. That may include a neoprene because it negates the pressure of a firearm pressing against the side of your body.

Your holster should always be comfortable. If it's not - switch to a different style. There are a lot of concealed carry holsters types, weather its an IWB holster or an , make sure it has strong retention and it's comfortable for you.

Making Time To Practice

Nothing practiced, nothing gained. You perform to the lowest common denominator. And if that means it's been a year since you fired your concealed carry pistol - chances are good it's time to bang off the rust and get to practice.

Practice also means not just target practice. It includes drawing/re-holstering, safety, situational awareness, and knowledge of the law. All of these constitute practice. You can practice them together or separately but ALWAYS practice.

Printing & Brandishing

If you're going to carry a concealed firearm on your person - keep it concealed. If you're in an open carry state and want to go loud and proud through the streets with your handgun - more power to you. But not all places are accepting of that. More importantly, by not " (showing the outline of your firearm through your clothing), you're staying under the radar.

On the flip side of that is brandishing. That means displaying your firearm in such a way that it intimidates others. There's a serious line that has to get crossed before you pull your firearm. Make sure it's in self-defense and not just a high octane pissing contest. Your responsibility is to your well-being and that of your family. A firearm isn't a fashion statement or a political one - it's a matter of life and death. Keep it that way and keep your firearm in its holster until it's needed.

Keeping Up With Changing Laws/Restricted Premises

Obviously, some places or conditions won't allow you to carry a concealed firearm. Namely, if you're going out to a bar or alcoholic social occasion, carrying a concealed firearm may be prohibited by law. If you're heading into the post office, that's another example of a place you can't have a concealed carry pistol. For those occasions, have a safe, secure place to store your firearm.

It's always YOUR job to stay on top of the rules and regulations. If you have a hard time remembering, print out your local laws on laminated index cards and keep them on a ring. Whether it's a quick reference for the car or something you carry around with you - it's keeping you on the right side of the law.

About The Author James England (@sir_jim_england) is the contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and private defense contracting in Afghanistan.