Concealed Carry - Getting Started

Do you know what lurks around that next corner? I don't either. Have you ever thought of getting a permit to carry a concealed handgun?
On April 16, 2007 a horrific tragedy took place on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Thirty two students and professors were murdered and many more injured in a senseless act of violence. This forever changed the way that I view the world. My wife and I are both Hokie alumni. We still have close ties with Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community. It is with this in mind that I write this article.
On that day, my sheltered world became an unrealistic dream of the past. I vowed that day that I would do everything I could to prepare myself for such an event. Of course, I hope never to find myself in a situation where deadly force is a consideration, but, it never hurts to try to prepare yourself.
So, where do you start? For me the first step was to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. I've been a hunter my entire life so I was no stranger to firearms. However, a concealed carry permit was a new ball game. I went to the local gun shop and talked to the staff. They quickly filled me in on the following details:
1. Satisfactory completion of a concealed carry class or a hunter's safety class.

2. Take your Certificate of Completion to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the locality in which you reside.

3. Fill out the Application for a Concealed Carry Permit

4. Go to the Police Department to get finger printed

5. Wait 30 days for the circuit court judge to approve/deny the permit.
That's it. I was thinking I was going to be interrogated as to my "need" or "desire" for the permit. Nothing could be farther from what happened. Keep in mind that this process ONLY pertains to Virginia. However, I have found that many other states have very similar processes.
I consider myself an "average Joe". I'm fairly laid back and usually light hearted. For me a permit to carry a concealed weapon was a logical first step. For many it's not. If you are unsure I would encourage you to go to your local shooting range and talk to the staff there. They will give you valuable advice and rent you a firearm that will fit your needs. You can shoot as many as you need until you find what works best for you. As a side note, when my wife decided she wanted to go through the process I took her to the range. At the time she had an overwhelming anxiety towards firearms. After the first shot I could see tears welling up in her eyes so I started to pack up and get ready to leave. Much to my surprise, she wanted to stay and keep shooting. Now she shoots better than I do. My hope is that if you do decide to pursue that option you gather as much information as possible. Weigh all the pros and cons and then decide. The decision should not be taken lightly nor should the training and education that goes along with it.
I will be posting additional articles pertaining to carry options, self defense, and non-lethal force. Be well.

Is Concealed Carry Practical for Self-Defense?

Concealed carry (also known as CCW) allows you to conceal a weapon, usually a handgun, on your person. Many believe this is a logical form of self-defense but is it practical?
Carrying a concealed weapon can be practical if you can handle the weapon, know your local laws, and have a concealed carry permit. More importantly you should be prepared to defend yourself and know other options before you use your handgun.
Understanding the ramifications of carrying a concealed weapon is also important. Handguns may be taken away from you and used against you. If you are not proficient with a handgun you may hurt an innocent bystander or worse, kill them.
Practical self-defense relies on awareness, the tools you have at hand, and your ability to make proper decisions under serious situations. Concealed carry gives you an option other than trying to fend off a would be attacker with martial arts, your keys, or nothing at all.
The downside is, you can become over confident letting your otherwise aware mind take a break. This can lead you into situations where you would have normally been alert and aware. Another downside is the legal issues you may face if in fact you do have to use your weapon for self-defense. In most states deadly force laws are outlined clearly and you should be extremely familiar with your specific states use of deadly force law as well as any law regarding self-defense.
The upside is, you have a serious form of protection that can and will stop an attacker from harming you. You can rest a little easier knowing you have that option available to you.
Finally, carrying a concealed pistol or revolver is a practical way to defend yourself so long as you are prepared and fully understand the responsibility that comes with carrying such a weapon for self-defense.

Inside the Pants Holsters for Concealed Carry of Handguns

Inside the Pants Holsters


Inside the pants holsters provide an excellent manner in which to carry concealed handgun. With summer heat - when dress becomes more casual - a quality inside the pants holster can be worn inside shorts, jeans or slacks - with a shirt casually draped over the waist.
Inside the pants holsters - manufactured by the WRB corporation - are constructed of ballistic nylon, can be adjusted for right or left-hand use, provide an adjustable thumb break for securing the weapon. Additionally, they come with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.
WRB inside the pants holsters come in a variety of sizes. Here's a partial list of the handguns that will fit in these holsters:
Size 2A Holsters
SMITH & WESSON - S&W (2" to 2 1/8" Barrel) J Frames with shrouded or concealed hammer - 38 - 40 - 42 - 49 - 332 - 342 - 442 - 631 - 638 - 640 - 642 - 649 - 940;
Size 4-3 Holsters
Colt Defender, Kahr
Size 5 Holster:
ASTRA (3 �" Barrel) A-70M - A-75;
ASTRA (3 �" Barrel) A 80 - A 90 - A 100;
COLT (3 �" Barrel) Officers ACP.45 - DBL eagle Officers.45 - 1991 A1 Compact;
CZ (3 �" Barrel) CZ83;
GLOCK (4" Barrel) 19 - 23 - 32 - 36;
GLOCK (4 �" Barrel) 17 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 31;
H&K (4" Barrel) P7 - P7M8 - P7M10 - P7M13;
HS AMERICA (4" Barrel) HS 2000;
KAHR (3 �" Barrel) K9 9mm;
KBI (4" Barrel) PMK.380 - smc.380;
LLAMA (3" to 4" Barrel) XV - XA - 111A - MicroMax;
PARA ORDNANCE (3 �" Barrel) P12.45 - C7.45 LDA (Para Companion) - Para Companion Carry Option - PXT OPS.45 -
SAUER/SIG (3 �" Barrel) P230 - P232 - P225 - P228 - P229;
SMITH & WESSON (3 1/2" Barrel) 469 - 669 - 908 - 3913 - 3914 - 3953 - 3954 - 4013 - 4013TSW - 4053 - 5903SSV - 5943SSV - 6904 - 6906 - 6944 - 6946;
SMITH & WESSON (3 3/4" - 4" Barrel) 39 - 59 - 410 - 411 - 439 - 457 - 457D - 459 - 539 - 559 - 639 - 659 - 909 - 910 - 915 - 3904 - 3906 - 4003 - 4004 - 4006 - 4026 - 4043;
SMITH & WESSON (3 3/4" - 4" Barrel) 4004 - 4046 - 4516 - 4536 - 4556 - 5903 - 5904 - 5905 - 5906 - 5926 - 5943 - 5944 - 5946 - 5967;
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (3 �" Barrel) P9 Compact;
STAR (3 �" to 3 �" Barrel) 30PK - FIRESTAR 9MM - I40 - FIRESTAR PLUS 9MM;
TAURUS (3.27" Barrel) PT-140 Millennium.40 - PT-145 Millennium.45 - PT- 140 Millennium Pro.40 - PT-145 Millennium Pro.45 - PT-745B/SS.45 - PT 640B/SS.40 -
TAURUS (3 �" Barrel) PT 908 - PT 911 - PT 938 - PT 940 - PT 945 - PT-45
TAURUS (4" Barrel) PT-138
WALTHER (3.4" Barrel) P99,
AMT (4 1/4" Barrel) Skipper - AutoMag II -.22 WMR;
ASTRA (3 � to 4" Barrel) Constable - Camper - Falcon;
AUTO ORDNANCE (3 �" Barrel) Pitbull;
AUTO ORDNANCE (4" Barrel) General;
BERETTA (5" Barrel) 92 - 92S - 92SB - 92D - 92F - 92G - 96 - 92FS - BRIGADIER;
BERETTA (4 �" Barrel) 92FC - 92 Centurion - 96 Centennial - 92D Centennial - 96D Centennial;
BERETTA (4 �" Barrel) 92SBC - 92FM;
BERETTA (3 �" Barrel) 8000 - 8040 COUGAR - 9000;
COLT (4 �" Barrel) COMMANDER - COMBAT COMMANDER - LIGHTWEIGHT COMMANDER - 1991 A1;
COLT (5" Barrel) Combat Elite - Delta Elite - Government Model - Gold Cup - Combat Target - 1991 A1;
CZ (4 �" Barrel) CZ75 - CZ85;
GLOCK (5 �" Barrel) 34 - 35;
H&K (4" Barrel) P9S;
KBI (4 5/8" Barrel) PJK 9HP;
KIMBER (4 �" Barrel) COMPACT CDP - PRO CDP;
KIMBER (3 �" Barrel) ULTRA CARRY - STAINLESS STEEL ULTRA CARRY - ULTRA CDP;
LLAMA (4" to 5" Barrel) 1XA - VIII - XI - OMNI - PLUS OTHER LARGE FRAME AUTOS;
PARA ORDNANCE (4 �" Barrel) P13.45 - P13.45 Limited - P12.45 - P12.45 Limited - P12.45 LDA - P12.45 - P12.45 - Para CCW.45 - Model Tac-Four LDA - Model Tac-Four LE -
PARA ORDNANCE (5" Barrel) P14.45 - P14.45 LDA - P16.45 - P 16.40 Limited - P16.40 LDA - PXT LTC.45
RUGER (4" to 4 �" Barrel) P85 - P89 - P90 - P91 - P93 - P94 - P95 - KP90 - KP93, KP94 - KP97;
SAUER/SIG (4 �" Barrel) P220 - P226;
SMITH & WESSON (4 1/4" Barrel) 1066 - 1076 - 1086 - 4566 - 4567 - 4576 - 4586 - SIGMA FULL SIZE 9MM &.40 - SIGMA COMPACT 9MM &.40;
SMITH & WESSON (4" Barrel) SW99;
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (4 �" Barrel) COMMANDER;
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (4" Barrel) XD-9 - XD-40 - XD-357;
STAR (4" to 4 �" Barrel) BM - BKM - PD - 28 - 30M - 31P;
STAR (4" Barrel) Firestar.45 - P88;
STEYR (4" Barrel) M40 - M9;
TAURUS (4" Barrel) PT 58 - PT- 400 & 400SS - PT 945C 45 - PT 945S - PT 940 40 -
TAURUS (4 �" Barrel) PT 92C - PT 24/7-45B - PT 24/7 9B - PT-24/7 40B - PT 38B/SS - PT-38SSSPRL.38
WALTHER (4 �" to 5" Barrel) P38 - P38IV;
WALTHER (4 �" Barrel) P5;
WALTHER (5" Barrel) P22,
Differing from traditional gun holsters designed to fit on your belt or hip - inside the pants holsters fit inside the pants (as the name suggests) offering a greater amount of concealment. However, you might need to purchase your pants or jeans with the holster and handgun in mind - or you might not be able to fit your belly and your holster in the pants. I've had this happen. :)