When Do You Carry A Concealed Handgun?

Some people simply amaze me. Take, for instance, the folks who go to the trouble to obtain their concealed-carry license, spend good money on a concealed-carry gun and professional training and then only carry occasionally. In my neck of the woods, it is common to hear people say they really just want to be able to have a handgun in their vehicle. As well-intended as these people generally are, they are either misinformed or they are kidding themselves.

We carry defensive handguns simply because we don't know—and can't predict—when a criminal attack will occur. If we had any clue at all that someone was about to visit violence upon us, we would arm ourselves with a rifle or a shotgun. Or, here's a bizarre thought, we would just get out of the immediate area of the coming attack.

All one has to do is watch the news to quickly figure out that violent criminal attacks can occur at any place and at any time. They happen in cafeterias in Texas, public schools in Colorado, coffee shops in Oregon and post offices in New Hampshire. Criminal attacks occur in the sorriest parts of town and in the swankiest parts of town.

Also, from studying actual attacks, we know that you have probably lost if you can't immediately put your hand on your concealed-carry gun. If you have to go to your vehicle, go in the next room or move any distance at all, you will have probably lost the fight.

So I would suggest that people get serious about their personal defense. Study your choice of handguns, how you carry and what you wear. Make whatever adjustments are necessary so you can have your concealed-carry gun all the time. After all, having a gun is really the first—and most important—rule in winning a gunfight.