As long as you follow laws and regulations, how you carry and when you carry is up to you. However, your concealed carry weapon can only aid in your self-defense if you have it with you. Find out how to make concealed carry a daily habit.
Have Concealed Carry-Friendly Outfits
When it comes to keeping your weapon secure and easily accessible, you can’t beat carrying your firearm on your person. Practice wearing your holster and gun at home underneath your clothes, and look for signs of printing, or showing the outline of your gun through your clothes.
One of the biggest reasons people don’t carry every day is that they feel psychologically uncomfortable with it. They worry that people will see their weapon and judge them for it or confront them about it. Checking yourself in the mirror and knowing how you look as you walk, bend, and make other movements can help put your mind at ease.
The best outfits for carrying inside the waistband are snug without being too tight. Patterned fabric made with a heavier weight also works better for hiding your weapon.
Use a CCW Bag
In some events, locations, or times of year, you might feel uncomfortable carrying your gun on your body. That’s why a concealed carry weapon (CCW) bag can help to make concealed carry a daily habit.
There are plenty of times you might want to wear a concealed carry backpack. CCW backpacks make it easy to keep your gun hidden since there’s plenty of space in the bag and a low-profile design allows it to look like any other backpack.
Tactical fanny packs are another popular CCW bag type. You’re less likely to take the fanny pack off and it’s hard for a thief to steal it from you, which means your firearm is more secure than with other bag types. Additionally, the pack keeps your gun at your waist, making it easy to access.
Cue the Habit
While making everyday carry more convenient and comfortable can increase the likelihood that you will carry, you can encourage it to become a habit with strong cues. One easy way to do this is to place your holster near your clothes so you can easily grab it as you dress every morning.
Everyday carry (EDC) items can also cue you to wear your gun. EDC includes key rings, wallets, cell phones, watches, and other items that aid your self-sufficiency and make you more prepared. Keeping these items nearby and thinking of them as EDC can cue you into wearing your weapon.
