Are you considering getting a gun license and carrying a gun with you regularly? If you are, there are lots of things you need to know. Concealed carry is a big responsibility, and wearing a loaded gun is no joke.
If you’re choosing to take this step, then gun safety should be at the top of your list. With that said, take a look at the content below to learn more about how to safely carry a gun.
Get a Gun License
There are many benefits to carrying a concealed weapon, and it is very important that the carrier knows and follows the law in order to avoid serious legal troubles.
When you decide to go through proper training avenues and get a gun that’s right for you, you need to get your concealed carry permit (CCW) or license. This license is issued by your state’s government.
Most states have certain requirements that the carrier must meet before they are issued a permit. Some of these include:
- Be 21 or older
- Have no felonies
- Take a gun safety training class
Along with the CCW, you’ll need a handgun holster that is specially made for concealed carrying.
Buy a Gun Holster
A gun can be carried around the waistband, underarms, or ankle. The carrier gets to choose the best way to carry their gun around with them.
Understand the kind of weapon you’re getting and how big it is. If you select a gun that’s too big and heavy, it won’t be comfortable and might cause problems. Also, make sure you’re wearing the right clothing to match your weapon.
For concealed waistband carrying, wear pants or shorts with belt loops on them, so you can thread the holster through it.
Furthermore, it’s wise to buy a holster that fits the type of weapon you have. Click the highlighted link to learn more about selecting the right holster for your gun model.
Consider Gun Safety
Carrying a gun in public is not an easy task. It is dangerous and can draw unwanted attention to yourself or those around you. The last thing that you want, as someone who carries a gun, is for something bad to happen involving your weapon due to poor etiquette.
The first thing you need to make sure of when carrying a gun in public is that you are doing so legally. Not all states allow for open or concealed carry of firearms, and there are regions that ban guns outright. Make sure that you know the local laws related to carrying a firearm before going out with your weapon.
Also, verify that you are capable of carrying your weapon easily. Carrying a gun in your hand or pocket could lead to an awkward and dangerous situation. If the store has a “no firearms” policy, carrying it around could result in a sticky situation.
Carrying a firearm should never be done without practice and training. You need to make sure that you are capable of drawing and firing your weapon from the holster. Verify that you can do so quickly, efficiently, and without alarming those around you.
Keep your gun unloaded and locked away when you’re not at the range practicing. Also, keep it out of the reach of children who shouldn’t have access to a weapon.
How to Safely Store a Loaded Gun at Home
All gun owners should follow gun safety when storing their guns. A few ways to do this is to keep the gun in a locked case.
These are typically available by the purchase of the gun, but they can also be found at most sports stores. You can even find them online at Amazon or other online retailers.
Also, make sure there is no ammunition in the room with the gun. Store the keys in separate locations than where the safe is located.
A common mistake that can cause serious injury or death is storing a loaded gun. If the gun is stored loaded, anyone who has access to that room can injure themselves or others. Also, younger children, may not know that the area contains guns and accidentally hurt someone.
Furthermore, if someone has access to your house and wants to get their hands on your weapon, they can look in every possible area where you might have it stored.
Therefore, any potential intruder mustn’t have the combination to your gun safe. You only want to give it to people that you completely trust. In fact, only adult residents in the home need the code, and you should change it frequently.
If you are looking for more information on gun safety, do your research. You may even be able to get resources from the local law enforcement in your area. The more educated you are, the less likely you’ll be to experience an unfortunate incident.
Making Gun Safety your Top Priority
Gun safety is key when it comes to concealed carry. Not only should you be concerned about your personal safety, but the safety of those around you. As you may know, there have been many accidents in the past that caused disasters due to carelessness. Your goal should be to minimize the possibility of a shooting accident as much as you can.