More and more people today are looking for ways to be safer. As the crime rate increases in our cities and communities the manpower of our police force decreases. Many political decisions are being made that are not in the best interest of the people the politicians swore to protect. I’ve used the phrase, “You are your own first responder,” many times when speaking of self-defense and emergency medical type scenarios. I truly believe this to be the environment we currently live in.
I believe every citizen should be knowledgeable and carry the needed equipment and gear to defend themselves and/or provide emergency medical care to themselves or others if needed. When looking at the self-defense portion of that statement, I get many questions about what gear and firearms work best for everyday carry. The conversation also turns to the question of whether to carry inside the waist band or outside the waist band or concealed or visible. Inside or outside the waist band can be concealed or visible. An outside the waist band holster and firearm can be concealed with a jacket or coat. With that said, my belief is that when carrying in public for self-defense reasons I will always carry concealed.
So, the type of holster and placement of it isn’t that important to me. It should be something and somewhere that you can get to quickly and easily. It should be in a position on your body that you have spent many hours drawing the firearm from and are able to retain a good master grip on your firearm. Do not carry concealed from a position that you have not trained.
Why concealed vs. visible? My main belief about carrying a firearm for self-defense is that it works in my favor when no one knows I am carrying it. There are many scenarios that might cause me to draw my firearm in self-defense of myself or another. My life is being threatened, the life of another is being threatened or someone is threatening deadly force in the commission of specific crimes. I highly suggest that anyone that owns a firearm for self-defense purposes read Arizona Revised Statutes title 13, chapter 4-Justification (13-401 through 13-421).
If carrying a firearm visible it is done more as a deterrence. You are attempting to discourage an action by instilling fear. Don’t mess with me because I’m armed. It could also draw attention to you by the person who is about to commit the crime. If I am going to use my firearm to protect myself or others, the last thing I want is the criminal’s attention on me during or just prior to their criminal action. I don’t want a competition between myself and the bad guy to see who can get shots off faster.
I also don’t want the bad guy to see me as a threat and take action against me before the commission of their crime. I’m advertising that I could be a problem in their criminal plan.
During a scenario where I have consciously decided to present my firearm, I want to do it in a manner unnoticed by the perpetrator. I want to get the jump on them. Depending on the scenario, and with loud verbal commands, I might not have to use deadly force if they comply with my commands.
Keep in mind that drawing a firearm from a concealed carry position is more difficult than drawing from an open carry position. It takes practice to make it smooth and natural. Not to mention that we wear different clothes every day, so the drawing of your firearm changes. I suggest that if you are going to carry concealed that you practice your draw several times before you leave your home. Get that warm-up in before you step out your door. Make sure you are able to have a full grasp, master grip, of that firearm before removing it from the concealed holster.
There is a time and place to openly carry a firearm, but I feel that open carry increases your risk of harm and tactically puts you at a disadvantage. Always know that because you are carrying a firearm doesn’t mean you have to intervene in the situation. Always consider your options before acting.
As Official Partners with Unites States Concealed Carry Assoc., please contact us for a FREE Guide from USCCA “10 Things you need to know before Carrying Concealed”.
Please email me at
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JohnsonGroupTAC.com
Oz Johnson/Lead Instructor, NRA Certified
Karin Johnson/Operations Manager
602-410-7355
