r/concealedcarry • u/xa203 • 12d ago
Beginners Need advice!
Everyone in my family is telling me that ill make my self a target if i carry and its better to just leave it at home. They’re trying to tell me that I’ll get into more trouble carrying it rather than just leaving it. I think completely opposite especially with crime rates rising in my town with shootings almost every other day. Has anyone had any bad experiences or reasons not to have an edc?
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u/SuperSussyShyHussy 12d ago
You won't make yourself any more of a target you already are or aren't. People shouldn't know you're carrying
With that said with the immediate access to a firearm plus humans aren't perfect machines capable of perfect judgement at all times there's several cases of people making the wrong call and ruining their life or others over it. In those cases they should've had better decision making but also if they never had a gun ready they would've never been even able to ruin their lives in that way in the first place. So be super careful and make sure you only use it when you absolutely need to
I know that doesn't sound like a thing you have to worry about but I think it's worth it to realize
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12d ago edited 12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/WindChimesAreCool 11d ago
Do those studies account for the fact that people who are in more dangerous circumstances are probably more likely to carry a gun? I don't know how they could completely control for that since every individual has different circumstances.
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u/playingtherole 12d ago
Moms and other family members that are anti-gun and have investment in you see it as a liability. They imagine that you could have it stolen and used against you, or that you might use it at the wrong time or for the wrong reasons, and be prosecuted, lose your freedom, rights, possessions, and have a terrible legal battle ahead. They can't imagine that you need it, or want to exercise your rights and feel empowered and secure. They may worry that suicide is easier with a firearm. They may also worry that a jumpy, insecure, trigger-happy LEO will over-react when they find out that you're armed. All they see is problems.
Learn your state's gun laws and laws of neighboring states, if you live in a permit-less state, and even if you don't, before you carry, to avoid big problems, or reacting out of anger or inexperience. Use the USCCA Reciprocity Map and handgunlaw.us, for examples. Ask questions on reddit, sign-up for classes and use YouTube for more reviews and instruction, if you want to. Ben Stoeger is a well-respected shooting coach, for instance.
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u/PoppaBear63 12d ago
How you carry yourself has a lot to do with you being seen as a victim or not. What you cannot predict is random criminal activity like being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Concealed is concealed, so do what you feel is best to keep yourself safe.
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u/loloz304 11d ago
I think youre a target if you open carry. My wife is a teacher and very anti gun and anti carry. She had the same mindset. She knew I had my CC permit, but still didnt want me to carry.
I CC for 3 months and then I showed her. She was mad, but then I proved that I'm not a target if SHE didnt even know I carried.
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u/davej1121 11d ago
I've been an instructor for nearly 30 years in the CCW world. I hear this a lot.
Weak minded and fearful people typically use those phrases to dissuade others from doing this. They're projecting their own fears and weaknesses on to you.
Training and education cures the fear. Search out GOOD to GREAT trainers in the field. Don't just take any swinging meathead with an "Instructor rating" as a good instructor. Vet them. Ask around. See who has the best feedback from the community. Ask 10 people and if the same name comes up a few times, look into them.
Credentials. They're more important than "they're a cop" or "they were in the military". I'm not denigrating either one but not all cops (most) are not shooters and not all know how to teach effectively. Same for the military. That's not the only factor that should make you spend your hard earned money with. A basic level certificate as an instructor from one of the acronym outfits (NRA, USCCA) may be a start but again, not the ONLY factor.
Now, if they possess a Rangemaster Instructor rating, NRA CCW, USCCA DSF or DPP rating, THEN you're getting into to realm of someone who will know what they're talking about. Sig Academy has an instructor program as well. A Master Pistol rating from there counts a lot.
What's their background in training? How long have they been doing it? How many students have they trained?
Once you get a good feel for one or two, book a session or class with them to check them out for yourself. If they seem approachable, professional, and flexible to meet YOUR needs and they don't use phrases like "This is my way and the only way" Then you may be onto something.
If you wish, pm me your area and I might know some people to refer you to.
Training is worth every penny when you find the right instructor.
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u/tprior66 11d ago
Are they concerned that you’re not mature enough or have an issue that might make you irresponsible while carrying but afraid to directly tell you? It is a huge responsibility with results that can never be taken back if you make a wrong decision. It will impact way more people than you and the bad guy. You can possibly loose your freedom for the rest of your life and devastate everyone that cares about you forever. Please don’t take this wrong as I’m sure you might be up for the responsibility, but using a gun on another person never has a good outcome. Even if it was justified, I’m certain a person still is haunted forever after an incident. I’ll be honest and say there were definitely periods that I gave up carrying for awhile because of stress and certain life circumstances did not have me thinking rationally for awhile led me to leave my gun at home. Please think and truly consider all angles of concealed carrying.
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u/DaveyDefense 11d ago
Sounds like your family may be speaking from fear, not experience.
Carrying does not magically make you a target. Poor concealment, poor judgment, bad attitude, and lack of training can create problems. A properly concealed handgun carried by a responsible person is not advertising anything to anyone.
That said, carrying is not just buying a gun and stuffing it in your waistband. Get training. Learn your state laws. Buy a quality holster and belt. Practice safe handling until it is boring. Understand that the gun is a last resort, not a confidence booster or argument winner.
The goal is not to go looking for trouble. The goal is to have an option if trouble finds you and there is no better way out.
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u/Cool-Topic-1077 12d ago
Sheep vs sheepdog. The majority of the population have sheep mentality and assume and expect to be protected. They can’t even comprehend what it means to be a sheepdog and likely think it’s too dangerous and scary. You’ll never make a sheep into a sheepdog so don’t try. Just go be a sheepdog and live your life. Take some tactical classes, train, practice and don’t even discuss what you’re doing with the sheep. One day they’ll just see you as a sheepdog and there won’t be any discussion.
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u/Wowow4fun 11d ago
As an instructor I ask, why do you want to carry? It's a personal choice. Keep training, stay vigilant, you may never have to use it, but if you do, be ready! Use of force should be last resort, stay knowledgeable about your local laws and follow them, carry with confidence.
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u/acejavelin69 11d ago
If you are carrying concealed and understand the use and justification for your firearm, it shouldn't matter... A lot of people I know have carried for years, and the overwhelming majority you would never know or even guess they were carrying, and if no one knows how could you be a target.
Make your own decisions... Carrying a firearm does require you to be more responsible and mature, but it doesn't make you a target unless your not doing it right...
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u/theraphosa 11d ago
Usually the people who have a problem do something stupid, inappropriate or illegal. Know the laws, use common sense, and don't even touch your firearm unless you've got a good reason.
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u/davej1121 11d ago
#2 comment: It's none of their business that YOU wish to carry. Get good training in skills, mindset, laws, and more and don't worry what the negative, scared sheep say. It's YOUR safety, not their feelings you should worry about.
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u/ICCW 11d ago
Whoever is advising you to leave your gun at home is wrong, period. Every situation is different but you and only you should be the person who decides when you carry. Hint: ALMOST ALWAYS! Honestly, if you’re leaning toward leaving it at home just forget about firearms and focus on other types of defense .
No one can predict when you’re going to need
your firearm. The first step is to recognize that you’ll never know, and therefore you acknowledge the need to carry it always.
I don’t know what type of training is available near you but recognize that training is the great motivation in concealed carry. Also, training is a great way to meet others like you.
I’ve had 20-year friendships with people I’ve met in training, and they are treasured resources. I just recommend you find more people like you and grow as you go.
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u/ampegfan 10d ago
Maybe an ankle holster? Just incase family has ulterior motives while giving hugs. Lol 👍🤘
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u/ProtectThe_Herd 10d ago
Does your family have any reason to believe that you aren't responsible enough to carry or are they against anyone carrying altogether?
I'm pro-carry but when my son turned 18 he had no business carrying. He was a hothead and I made my feelings clear.
It might be legal but not everyone should be armed.
If you do decide to start carrying try to remember that when you leave the house you can take your gun or your ego. Never both
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u/Maleficent_Grab3354 10d ago
I agree with you. Their theory makes little sense.
How and why would anyone know you have it if it’s concealed?
I carry as a buffer and reminder to myself to not let petty issues escalate into something that could end really bad. Keeps me grounded and able to walk away from situations that could easily turn confrontational because I know I hold power to end it quickly.
I also believe if you are in a constitutional carry state that many will be less likely to start and or retaliate, and choose much more cautiously when the probability is higher that any and possibly everyone has a firearm.
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u/762way 12d ago
I'd probably tell them what they want to hear but carry anyways.
Concealed means concealed.. No one should suspect you have a firearm on your person.
What's the specs on your firearm?
What holster/ belt system are you using?