Did you know that 31 percent of households in the United States of America own at least one firearm? A huge reason behind the decision to own a firearm is the opportunity to get a concealed carry permit that allows you to carry it wherever you go.

Getting your concealed carry permit comes with many great responsibilities. This applies to gun safety and following the local laws. It can all seem quite confusing when you start taking your first steps towards carrying your firearm. There are some helpful concealed carry tips that you need to know about.

The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect place to learn all about concealed carry guidelines. You’ll also learn the differences between open carry vs concealed carry, and the things that you should do to maintain gun safety at all times.

Keep reading this article to learn more about the best concealed carry tips that you need to know when you get your concealed carry permit.

Get Training

One of the first things that any firearms and concealed carry expert will tell you is that you need to get professional training. Taking this step will make owning and operating your firearm a breeze. This training is a vital part of teaching you the local laws that apply to your concealed carry permit.

It is important that you know the laws in your area when it comes to firearms but you should also seek out someone to train you on how to operate your firearm.

It is a wise move to do plenty of research on your own to find a training course in your area. Find one that is focused on helping you to become the best and safest operator of a firearm rather than pushing you through the course. Find instructors that will cover every aspect of carrying and using your firearm. You’ll also need to be ready to constantly learn more about carrying your firearm with you in order to be prepared for anything.

Always Carry

One of the biggest concealed carry tips that you should follow once you have your concealed carry permit is to carry as often as you can. The only way that you’ll get used to carrying your firearm with you is to make it a part of your everyday life.

Taking this step is also important because you’ll never know when you’ll find yourself in a situation where you need your firearm to protect you and those around you. You never know when that trip to the gas station to fill up your tank could turn into someone attempting to rob you.

It is important that you remember that these incidents will happen when you’re not expecting them. You should do your best to get used to carrying your firearm with you at all times in order to be ready for anything that gets thrown your way.

Make Sure You’re Not Exposing

More than 21 million people in the United States have concealed carry permits and they all need to take measures to make sure that they’re not accidentally exposing their firearm when carrying it during their daily routine.

This is a big concern for people that are new to carrying their firearms with them. The concern of accidentally exposing your firearm is something that will stay with you for years to come when you have your concealed carry permit.

You should always take measures to ensure that your firearm doesn’t become exposed during the day. You should also understand that most people are unaware of their surroundings. They are unlikely to notice your firearm when you’re carrying it.

Don’t Check Your Firearm

Another big thing that people tend to do when they’re new to carrying their firearm with them is checking it or fingering it throughout the day. It is natural to want to check to make sure that your firearm is still with you when you’re carrying it but this will also make others aware that you’re carrying.

A great way to find peace of mind when you’re carrying your firearm is to make sure that you invest money into getting a great holster. If you get a great holster then you’ll never have to worry about your firearm becoming loose or getting lost during your day.

Checking to make sure that your firearm is still there on a frequent basis might give you peace of mind but it comes with serious drawbacks. These checks tip off many people around you to the fact that you’re carrying a firearm with you.

Invest In a Good Concealed Carry Kit

After you’ve taken all of the steps to get your concealed carry permit and you’ve received permission to carry your firearm with you, the next step is to make sure that you invest in a good concealed carry kit.

This starts with picking out the right firearm for your hand. Find one that feels comfortable in your hand. You don’t want to spend money on a firearm that feels too large or too small for your hand.

Once you’ve picked out the perfect firearm for your needs, the next thing you’ll want to do is find a great holster that will help you carry it in a concealed manner. You shouldn’t have any problems finding a great holster that is at an affordable price. The worst thing you can do is get the cheapest holster that you can find.

It is wise to go to a shooting range and try out a variety of holsters and pistols before making any purchases. You’ll get a much better idea of the things you like and dislike about your different options.

Understand Local Laws

One of the big mistakes that people make when they first start using a concealed carry permit is not having a full understanding of the local laws for firearms. It is your responsibility to educate yourself on these local laws in order to make sure that you’re not breaking them by carrying.

Keep in mind that every state and county has different laws. If you plan on traveling while carrying then you need to look up the laws in the states that you’re traveling through in order to reach your destination. You can click here to learn more about the reciprocity of concealed carry laws.

Understanding these laws will prepare you so that you’re aware of if you’re in a stand your ground state or not. These laws will also make it much easier for you to understand the areas in which you’re not allowed to carry your firearm with you.

Don’t Make Adjustments in Public

Another common mistake that people that are new to carrying make is making adjustments to their holster in public. Making these adjustments is even worse than accidentally exposing or printing your firearm during your day.

There are certain movements that are required for making these adjustments and they will make it completely apparent that you’re carrying a firearm if you make them in public. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to make an adjustment then the best place to do it is in a locked bathroom stall or in your vehicle.

Finding a private place where you can make all of the necessary adjustments will keep the people around you from knowing that you’re carrying. It will also go a long way towards keeping you safe.

Wear the Right Clothes

There are some clothing types that are a great fit for tactical careers or trips to the shooting range but that doesn’t mean that you should wear them to go get groceries with your partner or your family. Many people think that carrying their firearm with them will lead to them losing any sense of style.

That doesn’t have to be the case when you get your concealed carry permit. A good approach to take is making sure that the clothes that you purchase have the space and design to accommodate your holster and pistol. You might have to experiment with different types of pants in order to find the best mix of style and functionality.

Get Practice With Self Defense Ammunition

You should never overlook the importance of getting practice with using self-defense ammunition with your firearm of choice when you go to the range to practice. There are a number of different options when looking at SD ammo but some will work better with your chosen firearm.

Getting practice with these different options will help you prepare and become familiar with your firearm. You’ll find that you’re prepared for any situation that you’ll encounter when you’re following these concealed carry tips while out and about.

Follow These Helpful Concealed Carry Tips

Choosing to carry a concealed firearm with you comes with a lot of responsibility that might seem overwhelming at first. There are many great concealed carry tips and concealed guidelines that will make your introduction to carrying a firearm easier. Make sure that you find the right handgun and holster for your needs, and get proper training.

For more helpful and informative articles, make sure you check out some of our other great blog posts.

About Author

Nick Jones

See author's posts