The following will be a brief introduction into the art of concealed carry of a handgun. Ever since Florida introduced a Carrying Concealed Weapons (CCW) Permit, with the other 49 states following, more people are legally packing heat as they go about their daily business in this country, and you need to be one of them, too.
Concealed Carry vs. Open Carry
Concealed carry is when someone cannot observe that you are carrying a gun. This can vary from lightly concealed, with your shirttail flipped over a semi-noticeable bulge on your hip, to deep concealed under a tucked in shirt. If the outline of the gun is visible, this is called “printing” and may be illegal in some states, whereas if the gun becomes exposed for any period of time, and that is illegal in some states, too.
Open carry is when you are not attempting to conceal a weapon. Some states allow open carry; some don’t. As an example, a policeman in uniform open carries; a detective in a suit carries concealed. Open carry is a personal choice that cannot be taken lightly, as I’ll explain later. Here, we will be discussing mostly the mechanics of concealing a handgun on your person.
Open Carry, properly done. (Dress nicely, and be discreet.)
You’ll note that I have said “legal in some states” a few times. Folks, you MUST know the laws of all states you intend to carry in. Cops can and will be ignorant of the laws they are supposed to enforce, and you could well end up dead if you don’t know them. Please do your research on the laws, and I recommend handgunlaw.us as your first stop. It will tell you what you can and can’t do, what states do and don’t have reciprocity with your own, and where you can and cannot go with your gun.
Methods Of Carrying A Handgun
I’ll touch briefly on the four popular carry methods: on your belt, suspended from your shoulder, in your pocket, and on your ankle. There are also “belly bands” for under your shirt deep carry, and there is even “codpiece carry” devices like Thunderwear if you want your junk to be of a higher caliber.
Women sometimes use “bra carry” and “purse carry” and I suppose a man can use “bag carry,” but I hesitate to recommend depending on a gun you have in a bag as you ‘re going to put that thing down at some time.
Belt Carry
The most popular method is to belt carry, and what position you use will depend on your style and your body. “Strong hand” or “trigger hand” means what side is your dominant hand, and “off hand” or “support hand” is your other side.
Starting at your front and going around your trigger side, we have Appendix Carry, 3 o’clock, and 4 o’clock. These are all variations of carrying near your hip bone. Appendix is in front of your hip, 3 o’clock is on it, 4 o’clock is just behind. Appendix and 4 o’clock are easier to conceal than it being right on your hip, and allow you to sit in vehicles with a little more clearance, and 3 o’clock is a good one for large, open carry holsters.
The pistol can have varying degrees of cant, from forward to neutral to reverse.
Outside the waistband (OWB) holster at the 3 o’ clock position. Neutral cant.
Crossdraw is slightly ahead of appendix carry, but on the weak side, with the butt of the gun facing your belt buckle so you can draw it across you. This one is really good for sitting in a vehicle. Small of the back (SOB) carry is often the most concealable, but can be hard to draw fast. Sitting while wearing a gun like that can hurt, and, if you fall on your back with one there, the chance of back injury is higher.
Do not carry Mexican, which is not using a holster and tucking the barrel of the gun into your pants with the butt hanging out. Pretty much every thug out there carries without a holster, and the prevalence of Glocks and their clones means that piece can and will blow your dick off while you’re fumbling for it if you hit the trigger.
The Mexicans had a legitimate reason to not use a holster during their revolution; if they got caught with a gun, they went to prison, and a holster meant “gun.” Same thing with thugs today, and you find guns everywhere from their shoes, their hoodies, and some women have even done “vagina carry.” Criminals don’t use holsters, law abiding citizens do; use a holster.
Homes here might be doing us a favor by carrying this way and possibly shooting his balls off; don’t be like him.
Let’s discuss “Outside of Waistband” (OWB) and “Inside of Waistband” (IWB). OWB means the pistol holster is either hooked to your belt via loops, or is attached to a paddle shaped piece that hooks over your pants. OWB is more comfortable than IWB, most people find, but you have to cover the whole gun as opposed to what sticks out above your pants in IWB. That means a long shirt or a jacket. OWB holsters carry bigger guns, have drop leg variants, and sometimes have retention latches.
In Waistband (IWB) 4:30 position carry with a slight forward cant.
IWB holsters fit inside the belt, and usually use belt loops to attach to your belt. You can flip your shirt over the whole thing, or tuck in behind the gun for partial concealment and wear something on top of it. “Tuckable” IWB holsters are relatively new, use clips, and allow room for the shirt to be tucked in in front of the gun. IWB holsters are a lot easier to conceal, but they do take some room in the pants.
Shoulder Carry, Pocket Carry, And Ankle Carry
The most common alternative to belt carry is shoulder carry. Shoulder carry relieves a lot of the space and ergonomic problems of belt carry and is done via a harness you put on like a backpack which holds your gun in a crossdraw position, and your spare magazines on the opposite side.
Shoulder rigs are very comfortable, but they pretty much require a jacket or a heavy, unbuttoned shirt to be concealed. They can handle the biggest handguns out there; Clint Eastwood packed the S&W Model 29 in Dirty Harry in one.
Although the 70’s most powerful handgun is a bit much for anyone but Clint, you can carry it in a shoulder rig. Early Galco Jackass shoulder rig was used.
Pocket carry is for little pistols. They make holsters that basically occupy your pocket and have a rough surface and are a pouch for the pistol. Reach in, pull iron, and the pocket holster should stay put with the gun coming out. Be sure to practice this a lot, and do not carry other things in the pocket, or fail to use a holster (see above comments about getting dick-shot.)
Ankle carry has its pros and cons. It’s easy to carry pistols, doesn’t bother your hips, and is fairly concealable, but is hard to draw fast from and is fairly size limited. It’s a good spot for backup guns, or when you have to deep conceal.
Loadout
You need spare magazines (or speedloaders for revolvers). Whether or not you are a big firefight thinker, or just want to get back to your rifle you should have never left (both common arguments in the gun world), you AT LEAST want 12 rounds or so, which means a spare mag, and a mag holder for it.
Multiple mags are a good step up to aspire to, and you can generally put a two mag holder on your weak side opposite the gun. Be sure to practice mag changes.
Magazine pouch on belt. This one is angled.
What about a backup gun? Semi-derisively called the New York Reload, sometimes pulling more iron is faster than reloading, plus it covers mechanical failure of your primary gun. Backup guns are often smaller versions of your main carry gun of the same caliber, or a small revolver or semi-auto of a smaller caliber. Some modern semi-autos like Glocks will run their “duty size” pistol magazines in their compacts just fine, which cuts down on your mag count needed.
Holsters themselves come in a variety of compositions. Leather is traditional, Kydex is an alternative, and nylon is cheaper. Make sure, if the pistol HAS a safety, that the holster COVERS it. Another holster of somewhat minimalist thinking is a clip on the frame of the gun itself for your waistband. This works, but be sure to get a little kydex cover for the trigger guard with a loop to attach to your belt. You pull iron, the loop pulls the cover off as you draw, and you’re good to go, otherwise you might (say it with me) get shot in the dick.
A variety of holster materials: Kydex, carbon fiber applique over kydex, leather over plastic, and leather.
You’ll need some wardrobe changes. Definitely a strong, thick belt to hold the holster up, maybe some larger pants if you want to IWB carry. You may need to untuck that shirt, or wear a light jacket when you would normally forgo. Start small, and get into it slowly.
Legality And Mentality
Carrying a gun is your right, but it’s also a massive responsibility. The fifty shades of grey bullshit of passive aggressive society gets reduced to black and white in a real hurry. You will have the ability to kill damn near anyone you meet, but your ass will go to jail for at least manslaughter if not murder two if you are wrong in your actions.
The key words to remember here is “I was in fear for my life.” Someone jacking your car is not something for which you can blast them, except maybe in Texas. However, if you are fairly certain that you or someone in the area is about to get wrecked or killed, either by the fact that the soon-to-be perpetrators have weapons of their own, or there is something called “disparity of force” (five of them and one of you) going on, feel free to use that weapon.
I cannot, in this article, articulate what to do if you are involved in a shooting. Call the cops, file a complaint, remember to say “I was afraid for my life” or “he was going to kill me” and then shut up and lawyer up. Do not just run off and hope no one notices; calling in establishes you as the victim. I highly recommend ANYTHING Massad Ayoob writes on this; start with In the Gravest Extreme and go from there. I’m an engineer, not a lawyer, so do your homework.
Your carry piece is not a status symbol and is not for anyone to know about until you have to use it for defense of life. Never start stuff when carrying.
There are certain places you cannot go with a gun, and that varies from state to state. A good general guideline is no schools, no government buildings, no bars. Restaurants serving alcohol is ok, but you should really not be drinking while carrying.
Your place of employment is up to you and your corporate masters; I leave mine in the truck. If you open carry, be prepared for people to notice; bad guys will try to take it from you or shoot you first, and others might call the cops for a MWAG complaint (man with a gun.) Never be an asshole when you are carrying, and this goes double for open carry.
I’m not going to get too political here, but this country does not have a gun problem; it has a problem with a lack of respect for human life. I’m not a sociologist; I don’t know how to fix it, but we need more pro-gun good people out there who can stop bad shit as or before it happens. Carry legally and quietly, and don’t get into arguments and fights just because you “got yo piece wid choo.”
But, for the sake of the dwindling number of good citizens and the American Way, if you happen to be in the position to stop a terrorist, wait until he’s not paying attention to you, get a good shooting rest if you can, give him an “Aloha Snackbar,” and send him straight to hell.
Read More: How to Buy Your First Handgun
Great article with a lot of information!
Came in expecting a lot of misinfo, but this article touched all of the bases and did so very well. Fantastic job.
Agree. Our man Roosh is getting the best writers
The editor has good quality control.
That’s probably because this is known as a no BS forum where people can say stuff PC and not PC and take the well thought out criticism without personal offense and the need to destroy a person with a slight different opinion.
Females should not be allowed to open carry unless they have flat abs and wear low rise hip hugging jeans.
Agreed.
Yeah that pic is a winner. That and the dude with the sax.
What, you’re not a Cagney and Lacey fan?
Have you seen them lately?
OK, so they look like retired linebackers who’ve let themselves go and started dressing in drag. We’re all beautiful, right? Just ask Megan Trainer.
30 years after the fact, they are hideous, not that they were anything special to begin with.
Women should not be allowed to have water unless they have flat abs and low rise hop hugging jeans
While I think that the all-female remake of Ghostbusters is a tragedy, I do look forwards to an all-female version of the Expendables. The cast choices make for good discussion.
I think about my ex-girlfriends and open or closed carry laws and it gets a bit scary.
Excellent article! Each one of us is personally responsible for his/her safety and the safety of our families. Your article was clear, concise and accurate. That being said, I’m not a fan of open carry, with some exceptions. When I’m out in the woods or ‘glades I strap on the old Combat Commander in a Milt Sparks rig. Otherwise its a Glock19 Gen 4 in a Blackhawk Kydex holster. Please keep the great stuff coming!
USP 45, galco ‘agent’ slide leather.
Good stuff.
A general rule that James Yeager suggests is: “Never, ever, ever shoot a gun except to save a life.” You’ll also be able to live with yourself, afterwards.
Don’t kid yourself, men; you WILL feel guilty for killing somebody. Hell, I feel guilty for some of the people I’ve beat up (and they had all done something egregious that earned it). In the heat of the moment our tolerance for bullshit is a lot lower than next week, upon sober reflection. Don’t do something that will keep you up at night.
Use your gun to save lives; nothing more. And let’s not forget General Mattis:
“Be professional, be polite, and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.”
I actually do not feel guilty for anyone I have beat up. They all deserved it and their lives are probably better for it.
I do like the Samurai’s Code on this. Never draw your weapon unless you’re going to use it and when you do draw it, use it.
You are funny. Every “lesson” Ive taught was well deserved as well!
Yes are you gonna pull your weapon on some dudes who are just say calling you names and end their lives??You gonna pop someone just for insults?? This is where less lethal weapons come into play e.g pepper spray, tactical pens, sticks/bats etc…There is a middle ground between getting beat up and lethal force…
When I was a kid I got picked on because I was skinny and could not defend myself. At age 18 I joined the army, was trained by the airborne, studied a number of martial arts and generally let go. Basically, I have never had a fight in my adult life. Either I backed off or they backed off because we realized that it just was not worth it. When I backed off it was not out of fear, it was because I did not want to hurt the other guy; I did not want blood on my hands over some stupid argument.
That doesnt mean your are smart or benevolent, it means you are lucky. That is all.
Most people victims of strong arm violence didnt have a choice to de escalate.
Your personal experience really means nothing outside of your own circumstances
It doesn’t mean shit. It means what it means. It worked for me.
.
Are you going to pull some sociological data out of your ass to suggest my person experience is in correct? Please do because I would love to read it.
It doesnt mean shit or it means what it means? Your “person experience” has gotten you this far, so why not keep adding more evidence of your lack of common sense? Multiple people posting here have tried to get you to stop embarrassing yourself and it hasnt worked.
“Affix Bayonnettes!” Numbnuts.
Idiot. The article and multiple posters have said to avoid a fight if at all possible. If you cant avoid a fight, you are cornered.
If Im cornered and I have a gun, its my responsibility to not mix it up with an asshole who could lay their dick beaters on my piece and use it against someone else.
If Im cornered, I wont be faggin’around with electric ticklers or pepper spray.
Moron.
“if at all possible”
“can’t”
“I’m”
“it’s”
“mot”?
“ot” did you mean “it”?
“I’m
“won’t”
“faggin’” ( you left out the “g” )
People who can’t write or spell should not be allowed to own a gun or give advice on how to use one…
Pedantic piss ant. Trying to grade my paper is pathetic.
Your comment was posted five hours ago. So around midnight on new years eve, you are at home on your computer. Pointing out grammatical errors.
Really taking life by the horns, arent you?
Yeah, well maybe people who can’t spell shouldn’t go around calling others “idiot” and “moron.” You can make your point without being an asshole. Or can you? (Points for ‘pedantic,” though – good word.)
All you have is grammar mistakes that I took time out to edit just for you.
Who is the real asshole here? The guy who calls out the ass clown dispensing dangerous and stupid advice, or the grammar nazi taking a break from trolling raw story?
I just enjoy the irony of comments by people like you who post stuff like, “your an idiot.”
Which is exactly what you are attempting to do while clutching at straws.
I agree that killing someone is a bright line that you don’t want to cross. However, marksmanship is a skill that is really fun to develop.
Remember kids, guns don’t kill people. People kill people. Never aim your gun at anyone unless you are sure it’s one hit one kill. Always assume a gun is loaded.
If you are not going to shoot but just make threat, don’t even draw your weapon.
A good swordsmen would not draw a sword unless he was sure there was going to be blood on his blade.
If you are mentally unstable like having road rage in the road and prone to anger and violence, you don’t deserve to carry gun.
Only for cool, collected, calm and for self-defense.
Ah the Samurai Code….
As a Canadian I do not own a firearm. However, I have a sweet sword collection. . .and I know how to use them.
I used to train with the Ken. There is something very special about swords.
A gun is a tool but a sword is a symbol. King Arthur did not pull a fucking Glock from the stone.
Never bring a sword to a gunfight, son.
In CQB you could be surprised.
Yeah, right. You pick a sword. I’ll pick a gun and ammo. Unless you can deflect bullets with that thing, the smart money is on me.
Given short sight lines and lots of corners a blade can beat the bullet. A pistol or something similar is ideal but at a range of 10 feet or less a trained swordsman can end anyone with a rifle.
If he did, everyone would have been in trouble!
Oh, for fuck’s sake. You sound like someone who read too many Ninja Turtles comics as a kid. There’s a reason cops and soldiers carry guns and not swords. It’s because, in even barely competent hands, the gun is a superior weapon to the best sword in the hands of the best swordsman.
I never really liked Ninja Turtles. Sometimes it is difficult to step outside myself but I spent 10 years in the military and a few years training with swords. I have a feel for what works and what doesn’t. If you are closing with the enemy then the order is “fix bayonets”. There is a reason for that.
Oh, horseshit. Bayonets are rarely even issued to troops these days. And they are a last resort even when they are. Again…there’s a reason why soldiers and cops no longer carry swords. It’s called the advance of a superior technology. If you can’t see that, you’re hopeless.
Nothing wrong with carrying a blade and a gun is there?
No, but if you want to carry a blade, I suggest a good knife. Swords are kind of hard to carry concealed on the street.
Mostly because they hadn’t been invented yet. (Assuming he was real in the first place.)
Modred would have been in a world of hurt.
Seriously? Lol
“Canadian Army”.
Fucking canadian.
Is that the crap you “learned” in the canadian army?
Real soldiers are quiet professionals. If your statement had any merit, a qualifier like ” being in an army” would be totally unnecessary.
Swords are cool. Guns are better.
Brains beats both.
*Mordred
And what “crap” did you learn bucko? Read some SOF mags, get your CCL and think your know something about how to shoot and kill people?
I learned enough crap to not feel the need to brag to the internet like a total douchebag.
No one believes that a national guard cock holster is a bad ass!
If you really were as cool as you mistakenly believed, you wouldnt have to attempt to validate it on an internet forum.
Wop cocksucker.
Fucking retard.
Your homo talk about bringing swords to a gun fight makes me believe you are closer to a LARPer than a reject from the canadian reserves.
I wish you would pay attention to peoples faces when you spew bullshit like that.
People have been rolling their eyes at you for a damn good reason.
I don’t “brag”, I share.
I am not American national guard, I was Canadian Reserves, which is whole different animal.
.
I am not “cool” I am trained to kill people. That is not fucking cool in any civilized society and yet here I am.
.
Forgive me for wanting to enlighten shits like you who visit this web site.
You have enlightened us all with an argument about bringing swords to a gun fight. Faggot.
You are not ‘trained’ to kill people. If you were, you wouldnt be saying stupid shit about swords.
Canadian reserve sounds like a bottom shelf liquor.
Id rather be a subscriber to guns and ammo than be a canadian faggot who brings his LARPing experience to a discussion about guns.
You are such a fucking Cunt.
Remember that one scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”?
So says the genius who learned to clear houses with a sword.
No, I learned to clear houses with a rifle, but if you came into MY house with a rifle, I would END you with one of my swords.
That was not CQB but out in the open.
.
There was a saying among gangsters in the ’30s: “Rush a gun but run from a knife.”
You are a cunt that is not worth the time to fuck. You don’t even have the balls to lie about having any military training or experience. You have no credibility, no intelligence and no balls.
You are some fucking shithead who has nothing going in his life so you try to cut people down on the internet, knowing that it is not worth their time to hunt you down and hold you accountable for being such a dickhead.
.
I don’t need to validate myself, that is what you are trying to do. Just fuck off and stop wasting our bandwidth.
Canadians are and have always been some of the best soldiers in the world, or don’t you read history books and newspapers?
No you didnt. Faggot.
You also admitted to not even owning any guns since you are a canadian, so you are a pussy too.
It doesnt take any balls to be a lying cunt, as evidenced by your false claims of soldiery.
Even if I was lying, your dough ass piece of shit civilian cunt of a brain can’t muster a credible argument against anything I have said.
I have a dick so I don’t need a gun for show.
ANY argument made by anyone is credible next your bullshit.
There is a 20ish year old retard around the corner where I live. He ‘practices’ with plastic pipes and wooden swords in his front yard.
I saw him wearing a brushpopper trenchcoat buttoned all the way up with a cowboy hat in 95° weather.
I even saw him walk down the road wearing a beach towel as a cape wearing fingerless gloves.
That guy is YOU!!!
Save your war stories for the neighbors kids and keep the popsicles out of the conversation, loser.
I soldiered. but apparently you did not. So I don’t know by what authority you can challenge or lecture me on any of this. . . .bitch.
No you didnt.
Stop fucking lying.
Stolen Valor is a crime.
Link or it never happened.
Yadda yadda yadda little small dick irrelevant man
You only like the big men, dont ya faggot
I like women, you faggot. And I keep the company of other men who like, and can score, women. Fuck off, you dickless faggot.
Ha ha! I bet you tell them all about your “sweet sword collection” dont you!
You arent proving anything making gay comments while always having dick on your lips!
If you arent a faggot, why do you keep talking about dicks, retard?
You and your old ass friends arent pulling any pussy. It says a lot about you that at your age you still arent married and act like a jersey guido when NO ONE even challenged your sexuality. (No one cares)
The only dicks in my life are gay fanboys like you who won’t shut the fuck up and leave me alone. I have a fiancé who is slim and beautiful and 22 years my junior and more woman than you will ever have,
Keep validating yourself to me, bitch.
You crave approval like a good little beta.
These other guys, especially Scott, don’t know about the 21 foot danger zone and how action is faster than reaction. Hang in there 66Scorpio, you are correct.
Thank you. Great article. Well done.
“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms…” – Richard Henry Lee, 1788, Member of the First U.S. Senate.
“…to disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them…” – George Mason
Big pajamas are good for concealed carry too. No means no Bill Cosby!
I am not doing concealed yet. Do not have my license. I am more of a castle doctrine dude. Do my shopping on line, avoid hell-holes like malls. May get concealed carry if things continue to go south. Just keep my .38 special here next to my computer in case some ISIS migrant breaks in to my home while here enjoying a beer and bitching about the radfems.
Only place I wish I had concealed carry is the Greyhoud station. Those inner city places are full of low-life and thugs. And I have to go there to pick up my son coming home from college.
(By the way, what the hell is the matter with Virginia ? Here in NC, you have to train for a whole day and take a test to get concealed carry. And to think just 150 years ago, we were brothers in arms fighting the yankees. Looks to me like Virginia has sold out to the cultural marxists north of Mason-Dixon. The cultural marxist anti-gunners in NY and california are the modern yankees.
Virgina sucks. They should honor our concealed carry.
I’m in Texas and it’s the same that you have to have a permit. Even though open carry is about to start here you’ll still need a permit. However, you don’t need a permit to own one.
I love Texas. If not for the cultural influence of Texas, we would be a nation dominated totally by California style hipsters, queers and LGBT/
Hear hear….”God Bless Texas”…”Don’t mess with Texas” …..
I do not mind the gun control in NC. We already have background checks of criminal records for purchases. And for handguns, you need to have purchase permits obtained in advance from the sherrif’s office. So it is good to keep a few on hand, as if you come across a deal on a handgun but do not have your purchase permit, you are out of luck. Purchase permits are five bucks a handgun.
Rifles, they just call a government line and do an instant database check. No need for a purchase permit.
If you have concealed carry, you do not need any purchase permit.
Basically, if you are not a convicted criminal, you are good to go. But I do have a friend that was not allowed to buy a handgun until he paid a 30 year-old parking ticket. The background check actually caught that.
That’s funny regarding your buddy and the 30 year ticket.
I can believe it. I recently purchased my first handgun and the federal check took less than five minutes. I’m not sure what the price is to sell or resell, but if you don’t have a permit a state ID/drivers license is good enough.
Interesting the US Constitution 2nd Amendment says “…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
and the 10th Amendment says “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people.”
So where did NC get the power to regulate a persons right to buy a gun?
I find it pretty hilarious that all of these “gun control laws” will do nothing to criminals or terrorists (they don’t obey the law). It only opens up the black market to law abiding citizens…who will continue to buy and carry handguns.
I guess the “well-regulated”. Although I agree gramatically. the way it is phrased, says that militias must be well regulated. And that the government does not have the right to regulate the arms per se.
I do see how an anti-gunner could say that the government has the right to regulate them out of existence (but that grmatically would not be the proper reading in my opinion.)
So you are right.
All I am saying is that the the current regulations generally have not cramped my style. I like to keep a considerable number of guns in my home for hunting and “castle doctrine” home defense.
i GENERALLY feel safer not carrying a firearm than carrying one. There are two exceptions. And there, current regulations HAVE somewhat cramped my style, so to speak. Late night at the Greyhound station is scary, and I do not have concealed carry.
The only other place is in the woods on our farm where there are wolves, coyotes and badgers. But there, I can carry. I also wish NC would allow us to carry a pistol undeer the drivers seat of the car without concealed carry. That was always illegal before, but not enforced. Now it is enforced.
That being said, it is not too difficult to get concealed carry. Perhaps one could argue that “well regulated” could refer to a need to deomnstrate competence as opposed to impinging a right.
Hard to say.
Grammatically speaking, the “militia clause” is an introductory, dependent clause and is, in fact, not necessary to the meaning of the 2nd Amendment.
Test it yourself. Read only the first clause. Does that make sense? Read it without the first clause. Does that make sense?
More urgently, SCOTUS ruled long ago, that the militia clause is not relevant to the meaning of the rest of the 2nd.
Agree, the dependent vs independent clause is the proper way to see it at the end of the day. But it does appear that there is a subservient place for regulation. As the fact that a militia that is well regulated is the reason we have that right. The question is does the justification for a right carry over into the affirmation of a right. Difficult.
The most obvious problem is that anti-gunners want to give that which is a subservient explanation of an affirmation the power to eliminate the affirmation..
So it is not justified to require that the people only have firearms for hunting. It seems that they have a right to possess weapons that would be of military significance.
A shotgun, in today’s world, would be irrelevent on the battlefield. On the other hand, an AK-47 would be relevant. Or an AR-15. From that point of view, even a machine gun. GOA is currently involved in such a machine gun case, and I am mostly on their side. But I would also say that at some point, it also seems that there is a level of destructiveness at which the justification of “well regulated” would justify the widespread distribution of a particular weapon.. For example…..
Does that mean we all have the right to build a portable nuclear weapon ?
Well, I hope not.
Currently, what is called “assault rifles” or something along those lines is the weapon most widely distributed among the troops. So it seems that in order to maintain battle readiness level weaponry, the people would also need to have access to such a weapon.
I see your logic of dependent and independent clause. But it also seems justified that some sort of permit or test of competence and lack of criminality could also be justiufied.
Hard to say.
Checks and permits are the shackles of slaves.
The Constitution is the only check and permit I obey.
Regulated in 1776 meant working properly and efficiently, not saddled with beaurocratic rules.
The comma says it all, it seperates the militis crap from the phrase “the Right of the People”
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The right of the PEOPLE. Plainly stated.
Any real red pill man would wholeheartedly support the total repeal of unconstitutional horseshot like the NFA 34, and the GCA 86.
I did not know the “regulated” meaning. Interesting
What is NFA 34, GCA 86
Google search
OK, in principle, I would like to be able to have a machine gun. If GOA wins the case, I will be happy.
However, I see the AK-47 and AR-15 semi-auto as my line in the sand politically.(not that I own either. For me personally, 10 shot SKS like in Canada is okay. AgAINST gun registration).
But if the left breaks through again, we could lose gun rights all together. And right of self-defense. For example, in Sweeden, sleeping with a baseball bat under your bed can be a crime if you use the bat. Because you were “anticipating violence”.
I am a dues paying member of GOA and NRA and I support their positions. I am very disturbed to see all the leftist media making gun control a major cause. Guardian, Mother Jones, Huffpo, Raw Story, Alternet.
So a former blue dog like me has no place to go. Democrat senators like Manchin who seemed to be pro-2nd amendment will sell you out. I was happy to see democrat candidate for governor Roy Cooper in my state waqnted to keep all laws such as concealed carry rights as they are. Then, when Obama proposed using the “no fly list” to block gun ownership, he jumped on board. Hard to trust any dem on guns.
I think Trump is winning the support of folks like me. Redbeck pro-union dems of 70’s who are pissed the party sold out to California dems like Pelosi. Bernie Sanders thinks he can win support of folks like me. Won’t work. Becuase early on, I thoought he was pro-gun being from Vermn=ont. But has aligned with dem national party running for presidency.
I may still vote dem on state government. But national dem party is 100 percent sold out to cultural marxists.
You are aiming too low and giving too much credit to idiots. Unlike you, Id love to see the dims get a gun ban going because I know what would happen to them if they succeeded.
That’s why all the dirt-bags that destroyed California and New York are fleeing the host and infecting red states. Obama is telling INS to flood you guys with Illegal Immigrants too. Illegal Immigrant = Progressive drone.
Open carry in VA….no permit required (only for concealed).
I’m in California.., sigh… not going to talk about me and guns and the last 30 years of shooting and maintaining them cause it’s to easy to BS on the Internet. I went through all the hoops to get a gun legally this year and am going to gird my loins and put out the cash to be able to defend myself when I am outside my fort.
If you can guys, join the NRA and support them. They are the only ones out there not giving an inch and pushing back until the fence sitters wake up and realize that during the next hashtag riot the Police, Fire and EMT’s pull back to city hall and stop responding to 911 calls. And the morons who thought they could call the Police or their alarm system would protect them hear “Sorry for your wait all lines are busy, please call again.” as the hinges on their front door give in.
The police (and politicians) will even tell you that they are there to protect “the public” and “public property”, first. Now, that’s pretty vague if you ask me so I’ll worry about protecting me and my property (and the police can go about protecting the mayor’s private house, a public park, etc….
Hell, I have more experience (and probably a few more guns) than most police officers, anyways. They would get in my way.
Please be accurate. Joining the NRA is a good thing to to, but they are hardly “the only ones out there”. Second Amendment Foundation and Jews for the Protection of Firearm Ownership are also great.
Gun owners of America, also
We’re still here and it’s going to get ugly in Virginia. I can tell you that the next election will have a GOP Governor and that law will be repealed.
We have too many transplants from up north coming to VA, fucking up the place with the blue state mentality that the government will keep us all safe. It’s a problem in the populated areas (outside DC, Richmond, etc..)..not so much in rural VA. They are using the same (unpopular) tactic our President is using by going around the GOP controlled Congress, here, to pass these things. Here is hoping for changes in 2016.
Shit like this happened in D.C.. for awhile before that law (no guns in the city) was repealed (it was deemed unconstitutional)
I’m not affiliated with this dude but I have been reading his writing for quite some time. He discusses a lot about the aftermath of a shooting and how to handle things. He also writes about how to avoid a violent confrontation in the first place. http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/
It is not necessarily a requirement to purchase a gun with a safety. So long as it is a double-action weapon for all rounds (ie: the hammer is always in the resting position forward), a safety isn’t necessary, as a great deal of trigger pull is required to pull the hammer back, usually much more than a single-action weapon where the hammer is in the rear position after the first round.
However, unless you’re a single man living alone, or keep your weapons locked or physically on your person at all times, I would recommend a safety. Usually, its some idiot that is at your house like roommates (or a child) that does something really stupid with your guns.
The point isn’t that safeties are bad or stupid (although they can be if you don’t practice disengaging it while drawing quickly), its that if you have years of experience with guns or police/military training, you are just as safe with a double-action weapon with no safety as you are with a single-action weapon with a safety.
Yes, for pocket carry stay away from the striker fired s&w, glocks, and especially walther PPQ. Springfield XDs have an additional grip safety, and some include a 3rd external safety so they might be ok.
The ruger LCP is cheap, small, reliable, and double action. Or if you have big pockets and feel like playing James Bond, then find a walther PPK (s)
I always concealed carry my GLOCK 25 (.380) inside a Victorinox Vertical Travel companion. It comes very handy.
Sneaky Pete holsters are also good. I have one for my Glock 30.
Another fine article on firearms Mr. Stranahan . Please keep it up.
Learning to draw a loaded handgun from your carry position and getting it on target downrange is skill that must be practiced over and over, and can be intimidating to the beginner. You can do this at home using an empty magazine or even using snap caps in lieu of real bullets (please be sure to distinguish these magazines with bright tape on the visible end).
Do be aware that practicing your draw is more about control and muscle memory than it is speed. If you’re worried about speed over control that’s when its gets dangerous. Speed drawing is the by-product of a controlled, practiced pull.
For those already familiar with gun range shooting I recommend IDPA for real world scenario target practice, they also hold national competitions.
http://www.idpa.com
From my limited experience I think I would have a cross-hip draw. That is, I am right handed and my pistol would be holstered on my left hip. The other alternative would be a back-hip. A side hip draw is so cowboy and it has to be low slung – and therefore not concealable – to gain any speed in the draw.
,
Edit: for clarity that would be 10 o’clock or 5 o’clock
“Limited Experience”
10 years army reserve and one paint-ball session, lol
Ive never seen someone so pleased with their spot on the B squad.
Who the fuck brags about being a weekend warrior?
I was trained by the Canadian SSF. You are what, a subscriber to “Guns and Ammo”?
Stfu bank. Why not get off his nuts and stop stalking every post he makes. You don’t agree with anything he says. Guess what if you died tomorrow everyone else wouldn’t miss a beat. Grow the fk up. You sound like a damn kid playing call of duty talking crap. Why not just move on to his mom trained him and get it over with?
Does he know you have a crush on him?
What makes you think that big mouth wants you taking up for him?
Ive been reading this site for a year and never commented before.
This forum has some of the best comments of any website Ive ever seen and I log in to find a massive thread where this dumb fuck keeps on arguing with anyone who disagrees with him on the shameful argument he made regarding swords for fucking CQB and bragging about how bad ass he is.
So, no I will not ‘leave your boyfriend alone’ as long as he runs his fucking mouth to everyone so go fuck yourself, dickhead!
Your comment reminds me of the final gunfight in Unforgiven.
“Do be aware that practicing your draw is more about control and muscle memory than it is speed.”
Indeed.
As the saying goes, “Slow is smooth… smooth is fast.”
I would rather be alive and wrong than dead and right.. thats my rule!!
Good article. Treat the weapon as if its always loaded; know local laws; be responsible (G-d knows the courts will hold you responsible). If you are not that familiar with firearms, (eg. ex-military or police), then spend time with an instructor and practice on your own in different settings (day/night, rain, close quarters) at a range.
Remember kids, the biggest threat situation: large crowds with one of the chicks having a psycho omega Ex. They have a bad habit of shooting up everyone. Examples: any kind of adult education graduation with decent looking chicks participating.
IMPORTANT! Learn the self defense laws for your state and any state you carry in regularly. Self defense laws, just like gun laws, are NOT uniform across the country and can vary widely. In some states you can stand your ground, in others you may have a duty to retreat, in some deadly force is only authorized when you have a reasonable fear of losing your life, in other states the test is more flexible. If you shoot someone you better be sure it was a “clean” shot because you ARE going to be investigated and you WILL be charged if it was a bad shot. And if found guilty you WILL go to jail for at least a few years. Remember, cops get qualified immunity when using deadly force. A citizen does not.
Also, if you ever have to fire a shoot, once it is safe to do so, immediately unload your firearm and secure it. The cops are going to show up going in hot. If you were described as the shooter you WILL get drawn down. Keep your arms completely visible and follow every command. Yell loudly that you have a permit and are armed with an unloaded firearm. Follow every order you are given and keep those darn hands visible at all times. If you get cuffed don’t get irritated. The cops are just trying to sort things out. Be patient. Tell them where the firearm is located and tell them where your permit is in your wallet. DO NOT make any further statements though or consent to ANYTHING. Just say “the firearm is here….my permit is here…I was acting in self defense and don’t want to make any further statements until I get a chance to calm down….” If you are pressed for your version of events just repeat. Depending on witness statements and the facts of the case you may get released pending further investigation or your could be further detained or arrested. In any event, get a lawyer immediately. I know people say “if you have nothing to hide just tell your version to the cops you can trust them”. To that I say look at George Zimmerman. A lawyer is there to protect your rights and interests. Generally you can trust the police but in the odd case you can’t or your prosecution becomes political you will be glad you got a lawyer in on the ground floor.
“Generally you can trust the police”
No, you cannot: http://www.returnofkings.com/35672/how-should-men-deal-with-todays-american-police
What don’t you understand about “generally”?
“Generally” the police are out to fulfill quotas (fines, arrests etc) and throw their weight around. It’s the rare exception of police that adhere to the protect and serve the public.
Sure you don’t have a quota for quotation marks?
Ok, you have a point there. I removed a few quotations in my previous response. But I would encourage you to step back and take a look at the bigger picture of what is going on out there and be more critical of what is really motivating the police and why they should not be trusted. Here is that rok article again: http://www.returnofkings.com/35672/how-should-men-deal-with-todays-american-police
I am not apologist for modern law enforcement. I think we are way over policed and that in general police are trained to shoot first and ask questions later. That said, unless you fit into certain dynamics in society or are inclined to certain types of behaviors you simply don’t have to worry about law enforcement. Here is your quick guide on how to not have to worry about the police:
1. Don’t be black. I know this is impossible to change if you are black and also probably unfair, but police will ALWAYS treat black people differently merely because black people commit a vast majority of crimes. If you are black they are ALWAYS going to assume you are up to no good.
2. Don’t live in a shitty drug ridden neighborhood. Why drugs? Simple. Drugs don’t necessarily cause crime but drug addiction brings guns, muggings, robberies, etc. to surrounding neighborhoods. Cops know how to stop crime. Hit the source. If your neighborhood is shitty and has lots of drugs expect regular interactions the police even if you are not up to no good.
3. Don’t drink and drive. A disproportionate amount of law enforcement resources is dedicated to drunk driving enforcement, especially in the suburbs. If you drink and drive with any type of frequency chance are sooner or later you are going to get caught.
4. Keep your paperwork in order. It sounds like common sense but I know a surprising number of people who don’t do this. Keep your car properly registered and inspected. Make sure to pay your insurance bill. Don’t let your drivers license expire. If you own guns make sure the paperwork for your state is always in order. I know so many people who have started a descent into the criminal justice system merely because they couldn’t be bothered to pay an insurance bill or drive on a license that was not valid.
5. If you are stopped by the police follow some real easy rules. Obey all their commands no matter how you feel about the interaction. Treat the police with as much respect as you would give your Mom (I know that respect is usually most undeserved when it comes to police but just swallow your pride and call him sir, etc.) And, most importantly, keep your mouth shut and never consent to a search. The cop is asking you questions so that he can find something on which to cite or arrest you. If he asks to search your car he thinks he is going to find something. You might only have a dime bag of weed in that car, but what is going to ensure you don’t get in trouble for that is making sure the cop doesn’t find it.
If you do all of the above you probably will never have to worry about law enforcement.
All good points and I agree. It certainly is pragmatic advice. The last thing one would want is to give the police any reason to harrass someone.
Learning how to “hide in plain sight” is a good skill. Learn how to dress to look like the herd. Keep your head down. Talk about general things such as professional sports and the latest gab news (non-political). Police always look for “which one of these things do not belong”. If you look like you belong they will look past you 99.9% of the time.
Also, remember almost every incident of police brutality started because the victim did not comply with police orders. Yeah I get it you think you got stopped on some BS charge or a cop is hassling. It is only human nature to resist doing what they tell you to do. But, society has decided that following a police command is not voluntary. Suck up your pride and just do what they tell you to do. NEVER use force to resist an officer (absent some extraordinary situation where you must because you are in real fear of your life….something like maybe rogue cops just beating the shit out you for no reason whatsoever). And ALWAYS keep your hands visible.
If you don’t believe me on this go on Youtube and watch some police brutality videos. These incidents almost always start when someone hesitates to follow a command, start putting their hands in their pockets because they are nervous, does something dumb like run, or uses force such as pushing or pulling away when a cop goes to arrest them.
If you do feel like the stop was illegal write down the facts as soon as you can, get a list of witnesses and copies of video/audio, and call a lawyer. The only recourse you have against a cop is 1) file an administrative complaint and 2) sue them. Don’t put too much faith in filing a complaint although sometimes cops will get fired if their actions were well documented and egregious. Suing you are going to have better luck and if it was an illegal stop and you have good documentation expect a modest settlement offer from their insurance company. It will be under $10,000 but more then enough to pay the lawyer and take your next vacation on Uncle Sam.
“The only recourse you have against a cop is 1) file an administrative complaint and 2) sue them. ”
Aint gonna work. The system’s nrw mandate is to imprison as many men as possible.
I’m not saying either is going to be successful just that these are your only real means of recourse society has left open. I guess potential criminal prosecution is also open, but that rarely happens. Your only other method of recourse would be extralegal such as vigilanteism.
Excellent Advice.
Unfortunately, as this story below shows, Mr Stranahan’s view of the lack of respect of life holds true.
http://www.newswest9.com/story/30820458/odessa-police-respond-to-shooting
This story appears shortly after a penis enlargement story? Coincidence?
Yes, coincidence. The articles get scheduled independently from what I can see from my level.
Easily the best article on firearms I’ve read here on ROK. I was especially glad you mentioned Massad Ayoob. Look him up if you haven’t already read any of his material. I would recommend his writings to anyone thinking of carrying. Concealed or otherwise.
Another thing is if you ever do have to use your weapon, you never say you shot to kill. Always, always, always shoot to stop theat. That’s your only intention in this scenario. Like the author mentioned, lawyer the fuck up as well.
Great article. Massad Ayoob is brilliant and i would recommend his youtube videos to everyone. Massad is also one of the most neomasculine men you can learn from on youtube and he is a brilliant public speaker. His interviews and lectures are great stuff.
I will add one thing…make sure your handgun has a weapons light on it. One, it blinds the attacker. Two, it allows you to identify the target. Three, at a certain distance you can just put the light on the target and the bullet will hit somewhere in that bloom of light.
“I will add one thing…make sure your handgun has a weapons light on it”
A friend of mine once told me that a laser sighting is also good because the attacker will notice the beam of light aimed at him, plus, according to him the little red dot on his chest and perhaps he will rethink pulling shit with you, thus giving an opportunity for him to run and difuse the situation so you do not have to use deadly force and have a dead body to dispose of.
DO NOT EVER attempt to hide a body, regardless of circumstances. In many states, that is a crime in and of itself. And yes, I AM a lawyer.
“DO NOT EVER attempt to hide a body, regardless of circumstances. In many states, that is a crime in and of itself. And yes, I AM a lawyer.”
The elites sure as fuck do not seem to give a shit about the law, so why should I? And I’m fully aware that the elites have a different set of rules for them than the average man like myself. I would prefer though to take my chances with covering up / body disposal than simply voluntarily marching myself into a garuanteed “guilty” verdict regardless that my use of deadly force was self defense.
I am afraid you don’t understand. Even if someone dies of natural causes, you can be charged with concealing or attempting to conceal a body as a crime in and of itself. Don’t do it. Ever.
I’m speaking in a situation where I was forced to defend myself and it turned fatal.
But as a lawyer I know your angle: I will be found guilty and charged with something, but you, as a lawyer will advocate to go the ‘proper legal’ route so you or some other attorney gets hired and gets to make a nice fuckload of $$$, a free Mercedes on my dime before I get life in prison. Uh uh….
Usually people have to be charged before they can be “found guilty”. Your grasp of the way the legal system works leaves a lot to be desired. Look, I am not saying the system is perfect. It isn’t and never will be. Just be thankful you live in a country where the government has to convince a jury of your peers beyond a reasonable doubt of your guilt before they can haul you off to prison. Outside the English-speaking world the right to trial by jury is rare, and your guilt or innocence is decided by a judge who is being paid by the same government as the prosecutor.
“.. Just be thankful you live in a country where the government has to convince a jury of your peers beyond a reasonable doubt of your guilt before they can haul you off to prison”
You fail to grasp what is happening to this country (USA) , and this notion of government convincing a jury to find an innocent man guilty has become a mere formailty these days.
Man accused of something despite no evidence = guilty. Next case…
NO evidence? Go look up “directed verdict of acquittal” in a good law dictionary and get back to me.
Talking sense to the sensless.
You are full of it.
When is the last time you could see a red laser beam on a gun light?
You likely have zero experience with what you are talking about.
You’re speaking about my friend recommended this. I’ve never tried it myself; but I’ll take your word for it.
I wish I could openly carry my katana around with me…but it’s a little hard to conceal it sadly
Don’t shoot your dick off, got it.
Can’t emphasize that enough!
But they do this all the time in the movies!
“I cannot, in this article, articulate what to do if you are involved in a shooting. Call the cops, file a complaint, remember to say “I was afraid for my life” or “he was going to kill me””
Are you serious? Call the cops? The police are absolutely itching to throw a man in the slammer for whatever reason. Understand something: no man (especially if he’s white) has any rights in Amerika anymore. Defending ones self eith a gun is almost default hard jail time regardless of how right he was to use lethsl force.
Yeah. I am serious. You have a choice, either run and hope you never get caught, because you will be treated as a homicidal criminal, or file a complaint as the victim and have the law on your side. It’s a gamble either way, trust the courts or be guilty of homicide and take your chances on getting caught. Your call.
“Yeah. I am serious. You have a choice, either run and hope you never get caught, because you will be treated as a homicidal criminal, or file a complaint as the victim”
No way in hell does a man (white man) who defends himself will ever be considered a victim, even if he in fact was.
“and have the law on your side.”
The law will never be on the side of a man.
“It’s a gamble either way,”
It’s no gamble, it is a garuntee you will be sentenced harshly.
“trust the courts”
Respectfully, that’s just insanely bad judgement.
In the academy they used to tell us the first one to call 911 will be assumed to be the victim unless proven otherwise.
Depending on the situation, like I had to defend myself from a mugging in the middle of the night and the mugger took off, I might just pick up my brass and leave. (Always pick up your brass regardless). If I saw in the morning on the news the cops were looking for me I would probably go down to the station with my lawyer. If not, I would just make sure to thoroughly clean my pistol and never say anything to anyone ever about the situation.
You can delay showing up until you have your lawyer with you and say you unassed the area to ensure your safety, but I would NOT recommend waiting more than a few hours before self-reporting. Just my observations from a couple of years in law enforcement and many years educating myself on this topic.
Hand guns are illegal in my country. You’ll go to jail for a minimum of one year if caught with one.
Unless you are part of the criminal underworld ?? That will be acceptable..
Remember the Government, the Legal fraternity & the criminal class are in a symbiotic relationship & are our biggest enemies !
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Every reader should repeat this sentence 10 times.
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BTW, excellent article.
Good article, Mr. Stranahan. Along with the solid article is your excellent advice about Massad Ayoob, and your advice about knowing local laws is excellent. I keep a copy of the pertinent laws in the glove box, just in case I happen to meet an officer who is not familiar with them.
One problem with any cross-draw arrangement (which I think has a lot of advantages–John Wesley Hardin favored it) is that it is very difficult to find a range that permits beginning a firing string from a cross-draw arrangement. At the beginning of the cross-draw the barrel is pointed down the firing line and sweeps the other shooters. A premature shot is much more dangerous than one in which the barrel begins pointed at the ground and rotates more or less in one plane. If you can practice at your own range, check out the cross-draw arrangement–if not, I’d suggest working strong-side.
It is also tough if you have any kind of gut, which I used to.
Everything I know about guns I learned in an article on ROK written by a greasy clock punching mechanic. (sarcasm) Shouldn’t all the “men” here have already learned this at their fathers knee when they were 8?
My articles seem to get a universally good response, except for one comment on each that both reference knowing this stuff by the time you’re eight, which implies it’s the same person commenting. I’ll take 98% good reviews any day.
Dude, relax. It’s just a beginner primer and he does point you in the right direction for more detailed education. Not everyone here had a father, or if they did, he might have been a Beta.
Good article. I think it hits all the points.
I live in California and have a CCW. It was a long process and it wasn’t cheap. I carry at work which requires some more planning before I leave the state–making sure I’m legal where I go.
I always had access to all my fathers firearms. Well, it was a different time back then. My father gave me my first firearm the Christmas after my 18th birthday, a .357 revolver.
If open carry was an option in CA. I wouldn’t do it. You become the first target if something goes wrong in a setting with people around. Like the OP said, carrying is a huge responsibility. My carry weapon never leaves my side as long as it’s legal to carry.
There’s a couple things that changed when I started carrying:
I drive slower. My issuing agency requires me to let any LEO I come in contact with to inform them I’m a CCW holder. That’s best done by showing them the card first. Don’t ever start out by telling a cop you have a weapon. I got pulled over by the CHP for speeding last month. I carry my wallet out when I drive. when I stopped I rolled down all the windows and left my hands on the wheel with my wallet on the center console. When the officer asked for my papers I showed him my card and my license without saying a word. He looked at me, looked at the card and asked where my weapon was. I told him, he looked at my card again and asked me who I flew for. I had forgot my occupation was on the card. I told him and he said he’d be right back. He walked up and looked at the front of my truck before he went back. I thought he would write me up for the full speed he said I was doing and the missing front plate. He came back and told me he was writing me a fix-it ticket for the plate and was letting me off with a warning for the speed. I hadn’t been let off in years by the CHP. I think my CCW paid for a percentage of its cost that night.
I have to make a choice between drinking and carrying. I almost always choose carrying. I was never much of a drinker and I just don’t miss it.
“Never walk away from home ahead of your axe and sword.
You can’t feel a battle in your bones or foresee a fight.”
Havamal
Not as much bothers me when I’m carrying. I had a guy say something to me a few months back that I most likely would have taken a moment to retort had I not been carrying. I just walked off and thought to my self how you never know who you’re messing with these days and bringing a mouth to a gunfight isn’t the smartest thing to do.
In this day and age, every man should be competent and capable of carrying. Sadly that isn’t the case. The one’s who are, should, and should go through the means necessary to do so legally. It’s citizens that are going to be the front line troops of the war we’re in. I don’t like it but that’s not relevant.
PS. Don’t shoot your dick off, you only get one.
You are lucky to even be able to get a permit in California. Kudos for that. Fortunately, most other states aren’t as punitive. I’m sorry you have to jump through so many hoops just to exercise a right. Open carry is legal here, but I agree with you that is is almost never the best choice, tactically. All your other advice is spot on.
California’s rifle laws are quite lenient; much more so than nyc’s. A ten day background check and then followed by approval you purchase and pick up your weapon.
“You become the first target if something goes wrong in a setting with people around.”
Link to some stats, or even some anecdotes? I see people say this all the time; what I never see is any actual evidence of it happening.
For starters, every police officer that’s been killed or shot at by surprise was open carrying. They were targets from the start and they constantly have to be on the lookout even more than someone in plain clothes and carrying concealed.
Better to be covert than standing out, especially moving forward as the nation faces challenges we haven’t had to before now.
I suspect that’s not “for starters”, but rather that your data set is exclusively law enforcement. Given that LEOs wear distinctive uniforms visible at a much greater distance, and from all angles, compared to a mere belt holster worn by someone who is otherwise dressed in civvies, I’d say this answer is pretty non-responsive.
Look it. It is from my country.
https://youtu.be/iSg_C0no8U4
I am a Canadian living in China, a pair of jurisdictions that have no respect for the personal ownership of firearms. At one point I might choose to walk amongst Americans and when I do my choice would be a 5-7. I am ex-military and that handgun seems to pack the best whallop in a relatively small package,
.
If and when I make that choice I think I will look to GoJ and some of the other guys here to guide me.
Imagine if someone would invent a gun that is flatter and lighter, and therefore much easier to carry concealed. What a game changer that would be. Ordinary citizens would be far more inclined to carry in their daily lives, and society would be safer for it. (As research shows, legal gun owners are less criminal than the average citizen.)
Plenty of good, concealable choices that fit what you are describing. Maybe folks just aren’t aware they exist.
They do make them. There are ultra-thin designs that are just barely wider than the bullet. 1″ wide is common. 3/4″ or slightly less is doable. You pay extra for such a design, though.
They make guns that are the size of small jewelry, or a pen. They’re considerably less reliable (often just a single shot, difficult to shoot, impossible to aim) and illegal in many states. They’re basically the kind of crap James Bond would own, but if you need deeeeep concealment they’re available.
Adorable little derringers are quite common at most gun stores. Intended as holdouts or purse guns, one bullet discharged directly into the gut of a potential rapist is better than no bullet.
There is a easily carried piece for anyone, of any build, of any gender, of any age, for every style carry. Gun shop owners are generally quite willing to help out with finding the right piece and the training you need to use it safely.
Don’t get caught up in the internet memes and fascination with “stopping power.” If Grandma can only handle a little .22LR with absolutely no recoil that’s still the best round for her… and the worst round for the dindunuffin that just broke into her house to rob and rape her.
Actually, in many states getting carjacked is grounds for defending yourself with lethal force. Other than that, good article. Reading Ayoob was the best advice you gave.
Good point. I meant stealing it and spoke in the vernacular. Carjacking itself is indeed grounds for lethal defense.
As an NRA-certified instructor in pistol, I have to note IMHO the single most important thing to carry is mindset. You HAVE to be prepared to use lethal force. You MUST be unquestionably willing and able to pull the trigger to neutralize and possibly kill an assailant. You HAVE to be of the mindset that you will have guilt, and that living with that guilt is far more important than not acting.
The moment the firearm is presented, you MUST absolutely be prepared to pull the trigger and kill someone. This is no macho nonsense. It’s 100% serious business when the gun comes out, and choices made with high-levels of adrenaline could have life-altering consequences. If you think that drawing a firearm will deter an aggressor, you have no business carrying. If you doubt that you can pull the trigger, you have no business carrying.
Speaking of adrenaline, study after study of cops proves definitively that, at best, you’ll be 40% as good under stress as in a calm training situation. For that reason, you have to practice, practice, practice. (Besides, the girls you meet at a gun range – the cute ones – are generally attracted to an alpha who knows how to handle a gun well.) Practice drawing, practice speed shooting, practice going Mozambique in case of body armor. Then practice more.
The odds of being in a situation to stop a terrorist attack are astronomically low. Let’s be realistic. It’s Obamasons you have to worry about.
You’re dozens of times over more likely to be robbed or murdered by an unarmed toddler with his hands up who dindu nuffin wrong. When you defend yourself, it will outrage the libs over the death of one of their pets.
The lib’s new method of “gun control” is no longer to try to grab the guns, but to individually destroy gun owners in kangaroo courts with the help of the Jewish media lies. The liberal will try to destroy your life as a reminder that only #BlackLivesMatter… not yours… you evil cracka-ass cracka honkey devil who just murdered a future brain surgeon blackstronaut while he wuz on his way to cawledge.
The old adage still goes: Better to be tried by twelve than carried by six.
lately I noticed chicks posting pictures of gun next to their vaginas. Like they would strap gun inside their thong, bikini and have the gun pointed downwards very close to their pussy area.
And some of these girls identify themselves as “red pill” chicks or whatever and make some comments on twitter to make it look like they care about manosphere issues.
Is this some kind of new fetish power play from girls or some sort of attention whoring?
It’s also not much different from chicks with pictures of bulldog or pitbull chained up next to them with lease.
Please never carry in the small of your back.
only the strong survive . a weapon is for 1 thing only . if you’re not prepared to defend yourself then you should NOT handle a weapon period . thinking and reacting are 2 different mindsets , thinking will get you killed . i live 1hr away from memphis the 3rd deadliest city in the U.S. ive seen brains in the street ,gun fire in the city while at work , had a gun pulled on me and hear about 1-4 murders every day . its not mayberry round here ! yes avoid it if you can . know your weapon , head on a swivel and never get back into a corner . your mind is the best weapon you have so keep it sharp !
If the article is on Handguns why is the top pic of an AK (variant)? Guess I’m missing something.
It is very interesting and informative as well as useful stuff.
Concealed carry
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Concealed carry
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Glock
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