How often have you been searching for your keys in your luggage outside your car while paying no attention to your surroundings? How often have you strolled naked through a dark parking garage or an empty street?
Someone may approach you, grab you, and violently remove you in a short moment, and you must be prepared for such scenarios.
Women, in particular, must be prepared to defend themselves if they encounter a violent criminal, and a <a href="https://ltctrainingtexas.com/reasons-to-concealed-carry/" title="10 Reasons to Concealed Carry in 2023” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>concealed carry license may be a vital component of that plan. Women, on the other hand, must be extra cautious. This guide provides women with tips to increase their safety. But, before we get to the suggestions, it’s vital to discuss the conceal carry choices for women.
Concealed Carry Options For Women:
With so many choices for purses and holsters, it may be incredibly daunting for women. We’re here to make things easier.
First, we’ll distinguish between on-body and off-body varieties. On body means you wear your weapon on your body, whereas off body means you carry your handgun along with a handbag or bag.
Because it does not need a change of clothing, many women choose off-body carry as their first encounter with handgun carrying.
Here are different options for women to concealed carry their guns:
Purse Carry:
This off-body conceal and carry option is especially desirable to women since most carry a purse. Thus there is no additional equipment to connect to our bodies. On the body, carry is better and is the preferred method of conceal and carry.
Thieves will target your purse for your cash, credit cards, and handgun. A handgun in a purse poses a significant chance of a kid or other innocent person accidentally obtaining your handgun. The consequences might be disastrous.
The security and inaccessibility of a handgun to others, particularly kids, is a significant responsibility that comes with handgun ownership and carrying a weapon.
IWB Carry:
The days of heavy leather IWB holsters with a hefty metal or plastic retention clasp are passed. Sticky Holsters create a highly comfortable neoprene-like holster.
It also features an ambidextrous exterior sticky texture that enables the holster to be practically endlessly positioned between the body and jeans with a strong waistline. With any non-elastic or drawstring trousers, this holster will remain in place and be well hidden.
Its considerably thinner and more pliant material aids in hiding in women’s clothing’s tighter fit. Because the material is soft/spongy, it is less prone to rub.
OWB Carry:
Pantsuits and blazers are typical workplace attire for certain female professionals. An OWB holster becomes a possibility in certain situations.
Paddle holsters are available from manufacturers for compact carry handguns such as the Glock 43, SIG P938, and S&W J-frames. Combined with a suitably stiff cover garment, these choices enable easy access and comfortable carry. They are also an easy option for trekking or in areas of the nation where open carry is permitted.
Garter Carry:
With the Garter attachment, women may conceal and carry a pistol or revolver of small to medium size even while dressed in a skirt or dress. The size of the gun that can be taken is determined by the woman’s size, her comfort, and how clinging the cloth is.
10 Life Saving Tips For Women Who Carry Concealed
1. Consider Your Body Type While Choosing A Holster:
Though women came in many sizes and forms, it wasn’t always easy to figure out how to conceal carry a weapon.
Depending on your shape, level of comfort, and personal choice, you may choose where on your body you like to carry your handgun. Some holsters can be clipped onto a belt.
In contrast, others may be worn in compression or corset, on the shoulder, on the ankle, in the bra, or even sewn into specific outfits. Whatever you pick, be prepared to check your clothes and layer correctly to hide your handgun.
Women With Slim Size:
Thin women might try belly bands or a cross-draw carry to keep the gun near their stomachs. They should also choose thin holsters that don’t add much weight to their garments.
Women With Average Size:
They should think about concealing leggings or shorts, which are comfy and diminish the gun’s print. Cross-draw and bellyband holsters may also be practical, and if you’re carrying a.380, you might want to try a bra holster.
Women With Larger Sizes:
They might consider a cross-draw, which keeps the gun’s grip slightly under their breast and away from their tummies. Some people choose a corset holster or a larger belly band that keeps the gun handy while slimming.
Finally, you may need to experiment with a few different holsters until you locate the one that is the best match for your requirements.
2. Think About Off-Body Carries Carefully:
If you cannot comfortably carry your handgun on your person, you should consider an off-body carry. Several purses on the market will enable you to carry a handgun while still matching your wardrobe.
Purse and carry, however, need your total concentration, implying your purse cannot leave your possession. No tossing your luggage in a shopping cart or hanging it on the back of a chair when eating out. You must always have perfect control over your luggage.
If you choose an off-the-shoulder purse, be sure it is made for hiding.
It should feature a specific holster compartment for your handgun and one that entirely conceals the trigger guard with challenging material, restricting access to the trigger. It makes it simpler and quicker to locate when needed.
Having a dedicated compartment and covering the trigger guard helps to prevent things from being caught in the trigger guard.
Don’t just choose a purse because it’s cute; think about how easy it will be to get to your gun and how you can maintain a consistent look and feel with it. So, if you opt to carry off-body, choose a purse that works for you and practice with it.
3. Know Your Handgun And How To Use It Properly:
Please learn how your handgun works and how to use it correctly when you first get it. Learn how to maintain, load, and unload it securely, and then practice these actions until you are confident in your abilities. It’s also vital to undergo handgun instruction and practice shooting at the range. Hence, you know how to stand properly and grip and shoot your pistol correctly.
4. Exercise, Exercise, And More Exercise:
Simply owning a handgun does not protect you against violent crimes. It needs the practice to be able to operate the handgun fast, effectively, and accurately. Shoot as much as possible, and consider preparing for active shooter and abduction situations.
Practice removing your handgun out of its holster as well. Remember that if you’re carrying your gun in a purse, you’ll need more practice since pulling a pistol from a bag is more complicated.
5. Ensure That Your Gun Is Not Accessible To Kids:
Suppose you’re a mother or someone who routinely looks after children. In that case, concealed carry may assist you in defending yourself as well as the children you’re caring for. However, you must guarantee that the gun never poses a danger to the kids.
Make sure curious kids cannot discover or grasp your gun, whether you carry it on or off your body.
6. Assume That Your Handgun Is Always Loaded:
Although you may be cautious about unloading your pistol after each practice session, people make errors. It is feasible to forget once and leave your gun loaded; it is always better to assume that a gun is loaded. It may help to avoid careless discharges and potentially save your or someone else’s life.
7. Be Ready To Draw Your Handgun If Required:
In the case of danger, women must be prepared. In addition to having your handgun easily accessible, ensure your hands are free and you are just holding your keys. Maintain constant awareness of the placement of your weapon.
8. Carry Yourself With Confidence:
Predators prey on victims whom they perceive to be defenseless. Just because you’re having a bad day doesn’t mean you can’t stand up and carry yourself confidently. Passers-by should be addressed directly in the eyes. It shows people that you are powerful, confident, and aware of your surroundings. It may also help in identifying the culprit.
9. Trust Your Gut Feelings:
Your sense is usually always true, yet women are trained to disregard it their whole lives. If you go into an elevator and feel horrible about the person inside, get out and wait for the next one.
If your acts look unpleasant or unusual, you should not be bothered. Because your senses are your first line of protection, they must be acknowledged and honored.
10. Make Sure That Your Handgun Is Ready For Use:
Keep your gun clean and verify it is loaded and ready to use. Keep hollow point ammunition in your handgun at all times. They expand on hit, causing the target’s interior organs and tissues to be severely damaged and injured much more quickly.
They are also safer in high-traffic areas since they stop going forward after they penetrate the target, eliminating the possibility of over-penetration and causing damage to whatever lies beyond the target.
Conclusion:
You may need to adapt to the idea of carrying a handgun with you and on you by selecting a comfortable on-body, and off-body carry solution.
Begin by carrying your pistol for an hour about your house in a secure place using the selected holster or backpack. Also, practice accessing and drawing your weapon while it is empty. When ready, go on a brief trip, such as a short stroll or a car ride. As you feel more comfortable, you may gradually increase your duration and level of assurance.
