1. Be Prepared to Carry Everyday
There’s a huge likelihood you’ll never need to draw your gun to defend your life or your family. In the small chance that it does happen, you’re going to need your concealed carry handgun. Making the choice to be an everyday concealed carrier means you’re taking responsibility for that likelihood. It’s not always convenient or fun. It means being responsible, acting especially mature, and being observant of your surroundings. The rewards are well worth it, though.
2. Make Concealed Carry Part of Your Lifestyle
If you’re ready to become a concealed carrier, you’re ready to develop the training mentality that you’ll take with you for the rest of your life. A concealed carry lifestyle incorporates situational awareness, a basic knowledge of the law, and a respect for others and yourself. The vast majority of an estimated 12 million concealed carriers are good, law-abiding, decent people. There’s a reason for that — when you don’t know who else has a gun, it pays to be polite. That can also be a lifestyle adjustment for some.
3. Know When to Hold’em and Know When to Fold’em
Some places just won’t allow concealed carriers in. For whatever reason, there’s a lot of bunk information out there and some people are just adverse to even seeing a gun. The reality check is that if it’s not you carrying, it’d just be armed criminals and police. But this argument may not stick with everyone — and it doesn’t have to. Concealed carry means keeping it concealed and not drawing attention to your firearm. Don’t worry about idle gun politics being bantered about the coffee shop. Focus on doing what you do best: being a responsible gun owner. But always make sure you are carrying legally and don’t carry into places that are off limits.
4. Stand Up For Your Rights
The Second Amendment is your right. In order to make the most of it, you need to understand how the law works. It doesn’t mean you have to go to law school or even hire a bunch of high-priced attorneys. Taking a concealed carry class and learning a bit about how your state views the Second can go a long way to saving you hassle down the road.
5. Silent Ambassador For Concealed Carry
Wherever you go with your concealed carry handgun, you are a silent ambassador of the gun community. If called upon, you’ll demonstrate exactly why citizens can and should be armed. Conversely, if you’re going out in town and getting falling down drunk and waving your pistol about — that’s going to send a pretty clear message, too. So, a strong consideration before becoming a concealed carrier is whether or not you’re prepared to act accordingly.
6. Lifetime Training Mentality
Concealed carriers are constantly learning more. They’re learning more about the law, about good habits, and bad habits to avoid. They’re educating themselves on new carry styles and techniques, ways to be safe around kids and family, and better situational awareness. It doesn’t happen overnight. It happens one day at a time. The longer you carry, the more you’ll discover about yourself, about your gun, and how the two apply to the rest of the world. A concealed carry permit is just the entrance ticket to a lifetime of learning opportunity.
