Two Places I Carry My Gun that Gets Me Strange Looks
Okay, let me say it early on, I don't walk into a place and say that I'm carrying a gun. That would defeat the purpose of concealed carry and retaining my element of surprise against an attacker. Instead, this blog is about learning and teaching others, and a lot of the time I get odd responses when I say I carry in these places.
And of course, I feel as though I need to say that you should only carry a gun if you are legally allowed to do so and we can in no way ever tell you to do something illegal.
Let's get started.
Home:
Yes I'm one of those guys who carries a gun in the relative safety of his home. The main reason why is because 100% of all home break-ins happen in someone's home. And, if it's my home when I am home, I'd rather be able to defend myself and family before any bad guys kill us.
The way I see it is that I “try” to get up in the morning and strap a gun on. Things don't always happen that way because our puppy decides to wake up at 4 in the morning and when I'm running downstairs in my sleep clothes, I haven't gotten the gun on me at that point.
And even then, when I'm unarmed in my house I'm never more than a few feet from a quickly accessed firearm should the bad guys break in when I'm less than ready.
Any number of bad things can happen when you're inside your home and this is amplified as the holiday season is rolling at us like a freight train without brakes. One of the most common methods of bad guys getting into your home is when they pose as someone who is seemingly supposed to be there, like a delivery driver.
Never let your guard down to anyone.
I never used to carry a gun in my home until I saw a video of a man posing as a UPS driver who forced his way inside a house. The homeowner opened the door and then called over to about 4 or 5 of his criminal buddies who also went inside, and then did who knows what to the family inside. That's not a chance I'm willing to take.
We offer a course called Complete Home Defense that is perfect for anyone looking to up their home defense strategies and it goes very far into depth on just about anything you'd need to know about defending your castle.
You can learn more about it, here.
Car:
If you've been reading my work for a while you know that I'm a huge proponent of vehicle carry. I recommend not just having your gun in your car, but also carrying it on your body. I recently wrote an article about this, here, and don't plan to re-hash the reasoning behind my stance.
Instead, my goal with this article is to say why you should consider having your gun in your car with you (yes, preferably on you, but again not my goal).
The bottom line is that people in their car are often distracted by something. If stopped at a red light for example, what's the first thing most people do? Check their phones.
The moment you reach for your phone and open it up you also open yourself up to an attack that you don't necessarily see coming.
A carjacking is a very real danger in many areas, some worse than others, but there are idiots who want other people's stuff everywhere in the world and the best defense is an aware mind and a firearm on your side.
I won't go much more into detail on this so I'm not beating a dead horse, but we also offer a course on this topic, as well, that centers around vehicle defense. It's very good and shows you tactics as well as what happens when a car is shot by actual guns with real bullets at different angles.
Conclusion:
Getting used to carrying in either of these places can be difficult. Many people don't feel as though they need to carry a gun in their home because of the relative safety surrounding it. But, it's not a bubble floating off on its own somewhere. Your home is likely to be at least somewhat available to the public and can be broken into at any time.
Having the ability to protect yourself, before the need arises, is important if that need actually comes.
And, if you're in the car you should also be armed because you're out and away from the relative safety of your home and can be a target just because of the car you're driving or if you're really into your phone.
Do you carry your gun in either of these places? Let me know in the comments below.
carry 24/7 everywhere
I carry both places for the same reasons as you. I carry at the 4 o’clock position. Sometimes I wonder if I should carry on the left side (cross draw) while in the car for easier access. But I prefer to carry the same way all the time so I don’t have to stop and think about where my weapon is. Any suggestions?
Hey Dave, I’d say that carrying in the same spot is a good idea for muscle memory purposes. I do know some folks who utilize a shoulder holster or cross draw if they plan to be in a car for several hours. I’ve always just left it where it was and in the right holster only ever felt minimal discomfort.
Hope this helps
Josh
Ive had my carry permit less than a year now and I always carry at home and on me in my car. And you’re right. People often ask me why I feel the need to carry at home. My answer is simply “you never no when I’ll need it” especially living in an apartment town house complex and my kids and other kids are playing outside with everything going on nowadays. So I’m right there with on carrying both these places
Good reading material! I am going read alot more, thanks!
always in the car some times in my little kingdom good advice JOSH
I always carry my firearm while inside my car, out in public. I will say I do not while at home though, reading this article, make sense as why it should be.
Always carry. Tauras 380. Lite weight and easy to get to if needed. Why have a permit to carry outside the home if you don’t carry in the home. Only takes a few seconds for someone to ruined your life. Situations the way they are today your taking a big chance not to. 380 isn’t huge so it’s easy to conceal and easy to have on your belt at home. Safe or sorry it’s up to you.
No but after reading this I’m going to start. One question I have (some view as silly but I’m not concerned with others opinions so I’ll ask); I don’t wear loose fitting clothing often (no, I’m not a snowflake and don’t own skinny jeans)… but I have a Glock 23 (not large but not small either) so what is the best ccw holster for someone like me?
Let me start by saying I’ve had my ccw permit just over a year and I’m no expert. That said only you can figure out what is the best way to carry because only you know your body and your lifestyle.
Pretty much anyway you decide to carry your glock 23 your going to have to make changes to your wardrobe. I chose to carry IWB about 4 o’clock crossbreed minituck Sig P365XL. I’m 6’2″ 245
I’ve had to get new pants with an extra 2 inches on the waist. I normally wear and XL shirt but they’re not long enough and too tight. I have found 3 button polos, button down pocket T’s, long sleeve button downs and hoodies in XLT or 2XL conceal very well and give me good fast access. Good luck, bye the bye if you dont listen to the conceal carry podcast you should, start from the beginning you wont regret it.
Seems if you’ve made the decision to be prepared by carrying – you should carry whenever you legally can. If you could plan when you’re going to need it that would be something, but I can’t so it’s on me or in reach unless special circumstances make that not feasible.
I don’t always carry in my city or neighborhood, but my wife wants me to carry more often, than when I do. I do carry when we go on trips or to help, in family matters in other states. I wear a shoulder holster and carry it under my left armpit, with three clips on the other side. I don’t wear it on my waist because it is uncomfortable for me and harder to get too. I started to carry when I was in my motorcycle riding days. I love to travel the back roads, along with my wife; so for her protection along with mine, I carry. I’m not 66 years of age and my strength isn’t what it used to be. Thank you for your articles, I need to wake up and do more research. I’ve been a Patriot’s for years with a lot of DVD’s to watch. I’m thinking I need to go back and do some reviewing since I now have the time being retired. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO.—————- Larry
With Covid restrictions, I have been unable to get my permit to carry concealed for now. I have taken advantage of the state’s open carry laws and carry around my home, property and neighborhood. I do think, however, that open carry is not ideal, mostly because you have to be 100% aware 100% of the time. I do think that if open carry is legal where you are that it is an alternative if unable to concealed carry due to clothing, comfort, or body position (sitting, driving, etc).