We are a community of people concerned with concealed carry and the resultant issues, questions,and challenges. We’ve talked a lot about CCW law, the resources supporting and informing CCW, and a host of other questions. Generally, we stick to addressing factual information or real-life issues, but today we’re going in a different direction. We’re going to delve into the world of myth.
Sadly there are no hobbits, dragons, wizards, or ghosts. At no point in this (hopefully) does anyone battle the Black Knight. Instead we’re going to point our lances and arrows at the various myths surrounding concealed carry, and see what we can do to put them to rest.
You don’t need to carry a loaded gun/with one in the chamber/etc, etc
From the Voodoo School of firearm thought, these folks postulate that the mere presence of a firearm will somehow magically dissuade all harm. I have bad news on that front: the gun is a tool, and it’ll only function as well as you let it. If you’re going to carry, carry loaded and if you’re going to pull a firearm, be ready to use it. Pointing an unloaded gun at someone is, for lack of a better term, pointless.
Here are a few articles that cover this subject:
- Should You Carry with a Round in the Chamber?
- Is It Safe to Carry with a Round in the Chamber?
- Should You Carry with a Round in the Chamber? [Part 2]
- This is Why You Should Always Carry with a Round in the Chamber [Graphic Content]
- Try This to Overcome Your Fear of Carrying with a Round in the Chamber
You don’t need to carry all the time
Apparently some gun owners are psychic and can predict when trouble will strike. While I strongly encourage you to avoid risky situation and take sensible, non-firearm oriented steps to avoid trouble, the fact is that it can come looking for you, through no fault of your own. Be ready. For extra credit, check out Why You Should Always Be Carrying.
“Concealed means coquate for self-defense
I’m cheating a bit here, as this is less a myth and more a totally pointless discussion. While some calibers may be better defensive rounds than others, the fact is that a bull’s eye shot with a .22 beats a clean miss with a larger caliber. Your ability to shoot well matters more.
“I don’t worry now that I carry.”
This is a close cousin to #2. While your CCW should be a comfort, it doesn’t give you a pass for putting yourself in risky situations. As I’ve suggested above: take other precautions for keeping yourself safe. A good rule of thumb: if you find yourself thinking either “I’m sure glad I have my CCW” or “Boy I wish I had my CCW”, it’s past time to get out of there.
You don’t need a holster
As the young people say these days: “No. Just no.” This is perhaps the most dangerous myth presented here today, as carrying without a holster—gun shoved in a pocket/waistband/purse—is an accident waiting to happen. Buy and use an appropriate carry system, folks; there is no substitute.
As always, this is far from a definitive list of the end of the discussion. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts, so let a civil discussion commence. Let me know what other myths about CCW you’ve run into, and until then be safe out there.
I have an Alien Gear Holster for my Glock 42 .380 that fits inside my waist band.Very comfortable.I carry concealed every day..The correct way….
@ Michael
Great list, and sadly, all too accurate.
To add to the conversation, I carry everyplace I can legally carry, I always keep one in the chamber and an extra mag, I use a Crossbreed holster, I carry a fill sized G21 with a PF9 BUG in a pocket holster on my weak side in case my primary hand is injured, I teach personal safety and exercise situational awareness and avoidance of trouble, and I practice both at the range and in tactical training situations. My wife trains with me and carries either a Beretta 92 or a 1911 and is a very good shot. We both have the mindset that we will escape if we can,. but do what we have to in order to survive and protect each other.
It’s too bad that most of us who read this article already practice the thing you advocate, but that’s just the way it is.
But . . . and I may be below standard intelligence here . . I don’t get the “Concealed means COquate for self-defense” heading. I understand you are saying practice and train, but I don’t get the “COquate” term.
I don’t understand it either.
Nor I – got a feeling it’s a typo that didn’t get caught..
Very informative with links to back up your hypothesis on each subject. When I earned my CCW I knew I had to change the way I moved around. I do not look for trouble but I do look out for trouble. Situational awareness had become a must for me. I carry a Glock G42 in a leather pocket holster in my off hand pants pocket and a FMK 9C1 G2 in 9mm in a Brave Response Belly Band Holster with two mags for the FMK and a good pocket knife. I carry 5 mags for the G42 in various other places. A friend asked what I was scared of and I replied, “Nothing anymore, just prepared”. I also use a LaserLyte training system at home to hone my skills. Much cheaper than the range and gives me combat like training at the same time. This coming March my family and I will be attending classes at the Front Sight Training Academy for some handgun and shotgun training. I will post the experience at a later date. Thx for the excellent tips and articles. Keep them coming.
It always amazed that some people are actually unaware . . . or dumb enough to ask CCW holders what they’re afraid of. I guess they live in a bubble and never read the news.
You’re lucky to get out to Front Sight.
I carry daily and have NEVER had need to draw my weapon off duty. In fact, only once on duty, in almost 30 years. But I am always aware, assessing potential threats, making a plan in case I need to act, and teaching others about vigilance and deterence. Condition Yellow when in public and never complacent in my surroundings. Be aware, be ready and stay alive.
I’m a long-haul truck driver that isn’t allowed to carry in the company truck. I have adopted a look that helps with self-defense – think outlaw cowboy meets Hell’s Angel biker.. I am at Awareness Orange at ALL times away from home; frequently at Red. My job requires me to be in situations where I wish I had my CCW, and I have to plan for EVERY contingency. And the Look helps – I LOOK like a guy who you just as soon rather not mess with – and gotten out of a couple situations with it..
At home, I carry a Barretta Tomcat .32 ACP in a Sneaky Pete holster, with an extra mag in a “Plan B holster” – a leather pouch made for carrying the mag in a pocket without getting dirt or lint in the workings.
I use the Barretta because it’s small and the .32 has better stopping power than a .380. While around the house, I have a Czech police CZ-70 (also .32 ACP, no need to have 59 different calibres of rounds around!) as it fits my hand like a glove. I would carry this concealed, but on my frame, it just doesn’t conceal well – and it was made for an open-carry police holster.
I’ve always been interested in the air war of WWII, and have found pilot’s training manuals. There’s one thing they taught the fighter pilots that fits here:
Keep your head on a swivel! Always – ALWAYS – keep your eyes moving. Look at EVERYTHING. Miss NOTHING.
Keep the powder dry..
Did I only count 5 myths? Great topics, good references…but where is the 6th?