THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN JUST “CONCEALMENT”!
OK! You have taken your CCW course, sent your money to the issuing agency, waited the requisite time and are now the proud owner of a license to carry a concealed handgun!
Hopefully, you have factored in some training that has prepared you for the time when you may actually have to use your gun in self-defense. If not, get busy and find a good instructor to give you the tools you’ll need!
OK, now you’re legal, you’re trained; what’s next?
Laws vary from state to state, but they all pretty well insist that you carry your concealed weapon in such a manner that a “reasonable person” cannot discern that you are carrying a firearm on, or about, your person.
Some states allow for the open carry of a firearm. I have a friend that thinks open carry is a good idea. I DON’T think so! I don’t want the bad guy to blast me from across the street because he sees me as a deterrent to his being able to do his evil deeds!
We’re all familiar with the photojournalist’s vest and the fanny (waist) pack. They provide concealment, as required by law, but they scream “GUN!” to anyone who is halfway knowledgeable.
In today’s environment, we must go beyond “concealment”. There are folks out there who have been trained to look for the people who are obviously carrying a gun. They are taught to shoot them first! With the potential for terrorism looming even larger on the horizon, active shooters running amok in the malls of America, and crazy people, in general, going around taking potshots at the citizenry, the time has come to be “covert”.
By “covert”, I mean that you DO NOT want to telegraph the idea that you are carrying a concealed weapon. You want to look like the average Joe on the street, going about his business in his usual manner.
This means that your 5.11, combat-commando pants, shorts and shirts stay in the closet for the times when you are attending a training course, or going to the range for much needed practice. The same goes for your “gun” shirts and caps. Leave ‘em at home until you want to “brag” about your pet firearms manufacturer or holstersmith in a “safe” venue.
While we are on the subject of tattletale clothing, think about your footwear. Strolling the malls in your “combat” boots isn’t a good idea, either. A solid pair of work boots or running shoes are good fighting platforms, as well. Myself, I like flip-flops in the summer, but they are NOT a good fighting platform.
I am so happy that “Hawaiian” shirts have made it back to the fashion scene. You can conceal just about anything you desire to carry under one of those things! A color-coordinated tee or tank top under a Hawaiian, or “camp”, shirt makes for a low profile, concealed carry set up. If you carry your gun behind the hip, you can sometimes walk around with the top shirt unbuttoned. Just be sure it’s a not a windy day! Remember, the idea is still “concealment”.
In choosing pants to wear for concealed carry, I prefer jeans. I have found that the “relaxed fit” jeans work better than others. You have room to fight in them, if the need arises.
The whole idea is to be low profile. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Be the “gray man”. If the time should come that you happen onto a situation that you can’t possibly avoid, you don’t want to telegraph to the bad guys that you are carrying a gun. Let it be a surprise!
by Glenn Matthews, Suarez International Firearm Instructor
“I’ve taken one of his courses and will take another one soon.” Bob Mayne, www.TodaysSurvival.com
Feel free to post comments in our FORUM.
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What really is the purpose of these signs?
I would like to start this by saying, do you really know what these signs are good for?” The signs that I am referring to are the “NO CCW = CONCEALED CARRY WEAPONS. ” or the sticker of a gun with a circle and a line through it, indicating to not be armed? From a store owners point of view, this is a great idea, because YOU think that sticker will keep YOU safe. Criminals do not care about that sticker at all. No criminal is going to look at that sticker and say to themselves “Darn, I guess I can’t rob this place because they have that sign on their door.” The truth is, the criminal does not care whether or not you have that on your door. If they are intent on robbing you, that is exactly what they will do. Now you know what the irony of this is? First you are living on a false sense of security. This is dangerous for YOU and your customers as well. The sticker does not create an invisible force field around your store, and will NOT protect you or your customers. Second, the only people who actually OBEY this law, are the law abiding CCW carriers. This is also known as a CCL=concealed carry license. That’s right, I said license, just like you have to get a license to drive a car, these people have to do the same thing to carry concealed. The only difference is that getting a license to drive a car is A LOT easier than getting a CCL. They have to:
1. Pay $60.00 + to take a written test and a physical test to prove that they not only know their firearm well, but can place their shots on the intended target, while understanding the fundamentals, and the LAW about it. After all an attorney is present to deligate the law on what a CCL citizen is allowed to do and not.
2. After the test, they get a certificate proving that they have passed the class. Then they go to their local sheriffs department and pay $25.00 + and get FINGERPRINTED , plus you give them a PHOTO PASSPORT ID, then depending on how long you want the license to be, on the expiration date, you pay either $100 or $200 for the license, BUT you don’t get your license yet. That money goes to the ATF = ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND FIREARMS bureau. At this point the ATF, FBI, and the state bureau of investigation, do a complete background check on you and review the paperwork that you filled out at the sheriffs office and signed.
3. After you have waited about 90 days you will receive a letter from the sheriffs office to pick up your license ” THAT IS IF YOU ARE NOT A FELON AND HAVE PASSED THE ATF, FBI, AND THE SHERIFFS BACKGROUND CHECK” The irony of this is, that the only ones that could possibly save YOUR LIFE in a robbery situation can’t, because they are the only ones who OBEY that law and YOUR SIGN. This is why that sticker is a deceiver, and takes lives instead of saving them. I know you feel you have a sense of security thinking that as long as you have that sticker on your door you will be safe, But once you have decided to do the research and discover for your self that gun violent crimes happen in the so called gun friendly zone. This is that zone where the NO CCW or NO WEAPON STICKER is used. You will realize that a criminal that is intent on robbing will do so in a place where he or she feels that they have the most likely success without being shot. And what better a place to rob than one that advertises to them that their is no way for you to defend yourself and everyone in your store is guaranteed to be disarmed . This does not mean that if you give them the money that you have they will just smile, be polite, and say thanks. In many cases people have been shot even after cooperating with the criminal.
Ask yourself this, do you want a sticker to save your life when a thug is trying to take your money and possibly your life? Or do YOU want to save your life? Possibly you save your own by getting a CCL yourself. At any rate I am putting my faith in my CCL and my firearm NOT A STICKER. Please consider this information before putting that sticker on YOUR DOOR OR PLACE OF BUSINESS. Don’t advertise to every thug out there that you are unarmed and there is no protection on the premisis. This is the very thing that a criminal will look for. They already know that you do not believe in self defense and have made yourself a target. Don’t let yourself become a target to thieves and criminals. If you need more information please contact your local shooting range for further questions. They will be more than happy to answer your questions. Some gun ranges will also allow you to attend the first half of the class free so you can make a more educated decision.
By the way, here’s one of the best resources for learning about your state’s handgun laws, www.handgunlaw.us.
John Roberts
Guest Author, Today’s Survival Forum Moderator
Please join our forum to comment…
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DISCLAIMER: All weapons should be kept safe and away from children. It’s important to have easy access to your self defense tools if necessary. At www.TodaysSurvival.com, we believe you should take all precautions necessary to make sure accidents with firearms don’t happen. There are many safes that also provide easy access to your weapon if you need it. Here’s an example, click here. I own 3 of these types of safe’s. They keep the firearm away from kids and still give you easy access to it if you need it.
It’s also our belief that when it comes to firearms, that proper safety education is essential, especially for youth. Gun-proof your kids, rather than kid-proof your guns. Get them involved in hunter’s safety courses and professional training courses. I’ve taken a course by Suarez International. You should too.
You may or may not like weapons, but in today’s society they are necessary for an existence of a free state and they could become necessary for your survival. Let’s hope we don’t have to use them, but you need to “strengthen your resolve.” in case the SHTF (stink hit’s the fan.)
It’s recommended that for a homestead to be well defended and if you need to put food on the table, you eventually will need at least one of each of the following,
- A handgun
- A shotgun
- A .22lr rifle
- A centerfire rifle (.30-30,.30-06,.223,.308 etc.)
If budget is a concern, start with a handgun. It’s the most likely weapon you will have quick access to.
I live in a state that allows concealed carry. If you don’t, then find something else you can carry that’s legal…pepper spray perhaps?
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Why do I carry a gun? Because cops are too heavy!
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Below is a list I will be SURE to pack if times get tough…
Kahr PM9 (picture in our Forum.)
Hides very well. Plenty of stopping power with Corbon DPX ammo and very easy to draw out of my pocket with a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. Weighing only 14 ounces it’s easy to forget I have it in my pocket. Holds 7 rounds. It’s been stone cold reliable after 1,100 rounds. No regrets buying this gun at all! I carry this about 50% of the time.
I believe strongly in pocket carry, because it’s the most comfortable way to carry, meaning you will carry it more. A gun is no good, if you don’t have it when you need it.
Kahr P380 (picture in our Forum.)
Folks, this removes ALL excuses not to carry a gun! At only 9 oz, holding 7 rounds it’s no bigger than the size of my wallet carried in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. The .380 caliber 95 grain round zips out of this thing at 1100 feet per second, using Buffalo Bore ammo. This is not my primary carry gun, but it will certainly do when I can’t carry anything else. I carry this about 35% of the time.
Glock 19, 9mm (picture in Forum.)
Click here to see a YouTube video of me shooting it.
My favorite of all my firearms! It would be the VERY FIRST one I pack. If I could only own one gun, this is it. Small enough to carry, big enough to fight with, holds 16 rounds of 9mm. If I can’t get the job done after that, I’m done for anyway. With Corbon DPX ammo, it’s a very potent pistol and I shoot it well and fast. I’ve put over 5,000 rounds through it with only 1 failure due to poor ammo. I would bet my life on it any day.
Marlin 1894 lever action carbine .357 magnum (picture in Forum)
I have other rifles, but if I had limited space and had to pick one rifle, this is it! Very light, almost no recoil with .38specials, I can shoot it very fast and Buffalo Bore’s .357, 180 grain rounds are almost as poweful as a .30-30. I can certainly defend myself very well with it and take almost any game I really need to. Extremely dependable, only weighs 7lbs and it’s real easy to carry extra ammo!
Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun (picture in Forum.)
If you do not or cannot own any handguns, at the very least, own a shotgun.
12 or 20 gauge, it doesn’t matter. They are legal almost everywhere and are a must for anyone who want’s to be able to defend themselves from aggressors.
In my humble opinion, this is THE shotgun to have. It’s as common as apple pie, durable, easy to operate, parts are sold everywhere and it chambers the 12 gauge round, sold almost everywhere too. There really isn’t anything I can’t do with this gun inside of 50 yards. The variety of 12 gauge ammo seems endless and I will never wear this gun out. I also have a hunting barrel for it and note the extra shell carrier. Inside 50 yards, I’m very confident it will repel anything, especially with Federal Flite Control, 00Buck, copper plated buckshot.
In our FORUM, we have more discussion on self defense. Please feel free to join.
