How I Started Carrying My Gun In 5 Steps

After finding the right concealed carry gun for me, it took some time, research, and trials to reach a point where I could confidently and successfully carry my gun every day and everywhere. These are the five steps that I personally followed. However, your path may be different, and that’s perfectly fine! You may have more confidence than I did when I started, or it may take you longer to progress through each step. Remember, it’s your journey, and only you can decide when you’re ready to move forward.
 

1. Where and How Will I Carry My Gun

The first step for me was to determine the most suitable location on my body for carrying my concealed carry gun and to find the best holster to match. I took into consideration my lifestyle, body shape, and clothing style, and ultimately decided on an in the waistband holster carried in the appendix location. I looked for a holster that was sleek, with minimal material, and held my gun securely against my body, with a clip that fastened tightly to my pants. Unfortunately, I could not find a holster that met my requirements at the time and had to make do with a bulky, man-sized holster. The struggle to find a suitable holster led me to design my own, tailored to fit my body and lifestyle. As time passed, I made some enhancements and discovered manufacturers that matched my high standards.

2. Getting My Gun Out Of The Holster?

I repeatedly trained myself to draw from my holster, ensuring I was comfortable with the process. It’s important to note that this must be done with an unloaded gun and in a safe area. I practiced every day, in different clothing, while performing various activities such as sitting, standing, walking, etc. It’s crucial to be able to safely and quickly access, grasp, draw, and aim your gun.

3. Carrying My Gun Around The House

For a week or two, I carried an unloaded gun to get used to the feeling of having it on me and how it moved with different motions around the house. I needed to ensure it wasn’t visible and wouldn’t fall out, and that it would remain secure while performing everyday tasks. I did everything I typically would do, like picking up the laundry basket, leaning over the counter, and using the bathroom.
 
Each day, I worked to eliminate any concerns that could cause me to worry and focused on one skill at a time. Then, I repeated this step with a loaded gun, which was critical. It allowed me to establish that my gun and I could safely coexist.
 
This method also enabled me to experiment with various outfits and clothing combinations.
 

4. Carrying My Gun In Public

I took a significant step forward by stepping out of my house with an unloaded concealed gun. Although it may seem silly to some, I had to overcome the mental battle between the voices in my head. The voices were telling me that everyone could see it and that I wasn’t ready. However, I was also hearing the voice of confidence telling me that I was ready, competent, and safe. At first, I was checking my gun and clothing every few seconds, worried that it could be seen. But I persevered through these initial moments of doubt, and decided to trust my training, my holster, and myself. Eventually, carrying a loaded gun became second nature to me.

5. Round In The Chamber and Never Looked Back!

After spending over a month conquering each fear, I had built up the confidence necessary to carry my concealed gun in public every day. But, before I could take the final step in my journey, which was carrying with a chambered round, I needed to fully understand the importance of being prepared in a life-threatening situation. During this time, I also researched, studied, and trained to improve my skills.

Although this step may take longer for some, I highly recommend pursuing it. While it’s not necessarily a requirement for successful concealed carry, every fraction of a second counts in a life-threatening situation. Without a chambered round, the time it takes to clear your clothing, grasp your gun, draw it, and then load a round is significantly longer and could potentially put you in danger.