Many people decide they want to concealed carry in order to protect themselves and their families in dangerous situations. Learning how to carry concealed weapons safely is the best way to stay alive in the event that you actually find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Getting a Permit
Check your state’s website to find out which government agency issues the concealed carry permit. Make sure you meet all the criteria to get your permit, which may require training. If you are applying for a permit in a “may issue” state, either officially or by practice, write a letter that justifies your need to carry a weapon, fill out the application, and pay the fees which may include fees for fingerprints, photos, or background checks.
Safety
You need training to feel confident when using your weapon in a dangerous situation, whether required in order to get a concealed carry permit or not. Remember that shooting in a range is far different than firing at a moving target, which is usually the case in life. Learning to move and shoot is important.
Practice Drawing
Once you have selected your holster, practice drawing your weapon. You really can’t practice enough, so practice at home with your unloaded weapon. This will allow you to draw the weapon from a variety of positions. All this practice will give you what is called “muscle memory” so that if you are faced with a situation where you need your gun you, won’t even have to think about it; you will automatically know where your gun is and draw it.
Varying Shooting Position
Attackers are not going to wait for you to be in proper firing range form. The onus is on you to be able to not only draw your weapon from a variety of positions but to also be able to shoot it with accuracy. This keeps you in the power position and minimizes the possibility of harming an innocent bystander.
Mental Preparation
Often the act of brandishing your weapon will be enough to stop a threat, but in the event that it doesn’t, it is essential that you be prepared to use it. It is much harder to shoot a gun at another living being than most of us would believe. Anyone with a concealed carry permit must be aware that there is a distinct possibility that if you are placed in a position to use your weapon, the person you shoot will be hurt or killed. If you are not prepared mentally for this possible outcome, you may hesitate rather than shoot in a critical moment. That hesitation may cost you your life.
Keeping Current
Renew your concealed carry permit before it expires. It is easier, faster, and less expensive to renew a current license than to get a new license. In many instances, renewal is a matter of sending in a fee, but some states do require you take additional gun safety training for each renewal. Don’t count on having any grace period after your permit expires; you may find that you have to start all over again.
Hopefully, you will never find yourself in a situation where you have to fire your gun. In the event you that do, learning how to carry concealed weapons may be what keeps you and your family alive.
