CHAPTER 8

CARRYING A GUN

OPEN CARRY VS. CONCEALED

As previously stated, not all states require a handgun to be concealed. I encourage such laws as a proponent of the second amendment of the US Constitution. However, I discourage the practice of open carry in our citizenry for tactical reasons.

However, where legal, there is nothing wrong with open carry, as long as it is done in a manner that is consistent with personal responsibility and good gun etiquette, because when you choose to carry your handgun in the open, you become representative of all gun owners.

There are many reasons that instructors and state governments discourage open carry; some are legal factors and some tactical. In today’s society, many people are either uncomfortable or downright afraid of being around a firearm. Anytime we as armed citizens make those sheep scared of us, we erode our ability to continue to carry. If you carry a handgun in the open someone will most likely call the police. Police will come if called because of a “man with a gun” call. Being the recipient of such police attention is not something you would like to repeat.

Carrying a gun is a private choice, not something to be shared. This is not to say that you should be ashamed of carrying a gun or hide the gun. The opposite is true; the decision to take personal responsibility is admirable and something to be proud of. The reason you should keep this decision private is the same as the reason to carry concealed. You don’t want people with low morals and an axe to grind to have the ability to accuse you of “brandishing.”

What do you think would happen if a scorned ex of yours called the police and said you threatened him or her with a gun and then described it and where you carried it? What would happen if the police then responded to find the exact same weapon in the location where it was described?

If the reasons above are not enough, I have another reason to prefer concealed carry—tactics. Criminals pick those they think they can beat. Criminals are not fair, nor do they take chances. If you carry a handgun in the open and are still attacked, rest assured that the criminal will not give you a chance to get to your gun; it is more likely the criminal will kill you at the onset of the attack. It is also possible for criminals to take your open carry as a direct challenge and specifically target you.

Deadly force is a serious aspect of self-defense. It should never be used for anything other than an attack on an innocent life. You should never use deadly force to protect property. Sometimes it is wiser to let the street rat take your wallet, or give him your money rather than fight him. If your handgun is concealed, you have the choice to use it or to not use it. When your handgun is in the open, the attacker has all the choices. Doesn’t it make sense to keep all the choices under your control, especially the option to either use or not use deadly force?

HOLSTER TYPES

There are many types of holsters, and many styles of manufacture. Do not be caught in the attempt to save money and buy some cut-rate holster; the first time your pistol falls out in the restroom of the local big-box store you will wish you bought a reputable holster. No matter what type of holster you use, your finger should not be placed in the trigger guard until the handgun is pointed at the target. Handguns should not be carried in a pocket or stuck in the waistband.

Anyone that carries a handgun for any length of time will end up with a box of holsters; this is because what looks good or feels nice in the store does not always stand up to daily use. In order to help reduce that waste of time, space, and money, let’s discuss the main types of holsters and some pros and cons of each type.

OUTSIDE THE WAISTBAND (OWB) HOLSTERS

These are types of holsters designed to be worn outside of clothing and attached to a belt. They are the most common type of holster and have many variations.

The most common of these are strong-side carry holsters. This type of holster is worn on the dominant side hip, and is one of the fastest and most natural carry methods. A problem with this type of carry is the need for some type of “cover garment” like a coat.

Strong-side OWB. Photo by Oleg Volk.

A problem with strong-side OWB holsters affects half of the carry populace. Most females generally have wider hips and shorter torsos than most men. OWB holsters worn on the strong side can push the butt of the handgun into a woman’s side due to this natural curve. This makes it difficult for her to draw without contorting her upper body away from the handgun.

Cross draw holsters are worn with the holster on the wearer’s support side (non-dominant side) with the butt of the gun facing toward the dominant side. When drawing a handgun carried in this manner, the dominant hand reaches across the body. This can cause problems if the attacker attempts to either disarm you or prevent you from drawing. In this carry method, the handgun is easier to reach by someone facing you than it is by you. This method is useful for those who spend time driving. A weapon carried in this manner is easy to reach when seated and is one of the most comfortable for long periods of sitting.

Cross draw OWB. Photo by Oleg Volk.

A small of the back or SOB holster is worn in the middle of the wearer’s back, right above the buttocks. A holster like this grants the wearer a large amount of concealment when worn with a cover garment. It is also very comfortable for someone who spends a large amount of time standing or moving. This holster’s drawbacks become apparent when the user is seated. Not only are they uncomfortable to wear when seated, drawing the weapon from this position while seated is difficult, if not impossible.

SOB OWB. Photo by Oleg Volk.

Care must be taken when using a holster of this type to not point the weapon at your own body when drawing. Another issue that you must consider with an SOB holster is that due to the location on your body, severe injury to your spine may occur if you are knocked to the ground. Many police agencies prohibit wearing equipment at the small of the back because of the risk of spinal injury. Secondly, in the event that you are knocked to the ground, it may be impossible for you to draw your weapon if your attacker is on top of you. However, carrying a gun at the small of the back is popular because it is very easy to conceal a handgun in this manner, and when not seated, it is very comfortable.

INSIDE THE WAISTBAND (IWB) HOLSTERS

IWB Holster. Photo by Oleg Volk.

These holsters are worn at the beltline like OWB holsters; however, they are worn inside the pants. These holsters generally allow the shirt to be tucked in over the holster, allowing a concealed carry without a cover garment. These holsters are a balance between concealment and speed. They are slower to draw from than an OWB holster but are cooler to wear in the summer, as they do not require the use of a coat.

A problem with IWB holsters comes from the holster and gun actually being inside your waistband. The holster or firearm itself can rub against your skin, which can be uncomfortable or allow sweat to discolor or possibly damage your handgun. Wearing a T-shirt or other garment between your skin and the firearm can solve this.

SHOULDER HOLSTERS

Horizontal shoulder holster. Photo by Oleg Volk.

There are two main types of shoulder holsters—vertical and horizontal. These describe the direction the barrel points in relation to the ground. A horizontal holster holds the gun with the barrel parallel to the ground. A horizontal shoulder holster is comfortable to wear, and easy to draw, but the handgun is pointing at anyone directly behind the wearer. This is undesirable from a safety aspect, but very undesirable from a personal relations standpoint if the handgun is worn without a covering garment.

Vertical shoulder holster. Photo by Oleg Volk.

A vertically holstered gun has its barrel perpendicular to the ground. The muzzle points directly at the ground. This is usually a much better choice.

Whether the handgun is worn vertically or horizontally, many of the problems are the same. The handgun has the same retention and draw problems as the cross draw holster, because the strong hand is reaching across the body. Another problem is that the gun can be difficult to holster. This is a problem after a “use of force” scenario, albeit a much smaller concern because you should holster only after the threat has passed. You also need to be aware that since a shoulder holster is worn between the body and the inside of the support-side arm it’s easy to point the handgun at your own body while drawing or re-holstering.

THE “BELLY BAND” HOLSTER

Belly band. Photo by Oleg Volk.

The belly band is a cloth, elastic, Velcro band that is worn under a shirt. These holsters offer a deeper concealment option than conventional holsters. The problem with these holsters is that they can slip around and move under the shirt, irritate the skin, or if tightened enough to prevent slippage they can compress the body and be uncomfortable.

A belly band is worn underneath your clothing, against the skin; however, this can be very uncomfortable for some people.

GROIN HOLSTERS

These are like the belly band except they have a front pocket that drops down in the front of your underwear. They work well for concealment; however, some people find them uncomfortable. Others do not like them once they realize where the muzzle points.

POCKET HOLSTERS

This type of holster is used for smaller guns carried in a pocket. They work particularly well for .380 caliber or smaller weapons. They prevent wear or damage to both the handgun and your clothing. Care should be taken to get a holster that breaks the outline of the handgun so that if seen, the outline looks more like a wallet and less like a gun.

The main problem with this type of holster is that when the handgun is drawn, the holster may be drawn with it. Special holsters are made with either a rubber strap to catch the pocket material or a tab to catch on the top of the pocket. Another problem is that you must teach yourself not to use this pocket for the carrying of coins, keys, or other materials.

Pocket holster. Photo by Oleg Volk.

ANKLE HOLSTERS

Ankle holster. Photo by Oleg Volk.

These are popular for backup guns. A family member of mine has carried a backup gun this way for decades without anyone ever knowing. I only found out when he unlimbered in order to follow the gun-free school zone law prior to visiting a school program. I remember being shocked that I did not know he carried in this manner.

The problem with this manner of carry is not concealment; it is access. A person with a “spare tire” might not be able to reach this in an effective or efficient manner. You must also make sure that the cuffs of your pants are large enough to cover the handgun and not show its outline or “print.” You must also be aware of the holster possibly showing when you sit down. I find this type of holster best for those with sedentary jobs, as it’s easiest to draw from this type of holster while seated. It is nearly impossible to draw from an ankle holster while moving. Some people also find the weight of an ankle holster on a single leg is somewhat disconcerting and hard to get used to.

DAY PLANNER / OFF BODY HOLSTERS

There are many kinds of holsters of this type. Basically this is a holster concealed within another device. Briefcases, purses, backpacks, and day planners can all have a hidden compartment to hold a firearm. These are all very comfortable, as the weapon is carried off the body; however, it is easy to lose the holster and, with it, the handgun. Care must be taken to not set it down without constant supervision.

Day planner.

FANNY PACK

Fanny packs were once good concealment, and then rapidly became synonymous with concealed carry. At one time, anyone carrying a fanny pack was thought to also be carrying a handgun. This belief has been reduced slightly, but it is still prevalent. If you can get past this belief, fanny packs do offer great concealment.

Fanny pack.

A problem with many of these holsters, especially cross draw, shoulder, and fanny pack holsters, is muzzling by standards during draw. Muzzling is the process of unintentionally pointing the muzzle of a firearm in an unsafe direction. This is also called “lasering,” meaning that if you imagined a laser that was always coming out of your barrel, and anything this imaginary laser touched was cut. Whatever you call it, you need to be sure that your firearm is always pointed in a safe direction even while it’s moving.

FIRST EXPERIENCES CARRYING CONCEALED

When you first begin to carry a handgun it is common to feel very conspicuous. You may feel that everyone is looking at you or that your handgun is obvious. Your body language will probably do more to point out the fact that you are armed than the gun does. You are liable to be stiff or unconsciously check to see if the gun is still where you put it.

As time goes by, this feeling of conspicuousness will go away. You will probably never get so comfortable that you forget you are armed, and you shouldn’t. Time will make you more comfortable, and that comfort will make your concealment that much more effective.

In order to ensure your comfort, and to make that steep learning curve a little easier, I recommend wearing your chosen holster/firearm combination around your home a few days just to break it in. By doing so, you will learn what movements will make your handgun “print” or outline against your clothes, and how carrying the handgun actually feels.