For many carrying a concealed firearm is new to them. If they are properly trained then they understand the great responsibility and standard of higher care that they are held to. They know that there is a lot to this, that goes rather deep and a whole lot to know. There is a great many things that one should know and do, below I offer these, I know not if they are carved in stone or not, but they should be carved into the brain. The following is based on my own experiances, as well as, from my mentor and living legend Massad Ayoob. Mr. Ayoob first wrote these back in 2009 and appeared as "Ten Commandments of Concealed Carry" in Harris publications. I had the honor and privedge of discussing these with Massad after I attended his MAG20 class (I strongly urge everyone who carry's legally to attend this class).
1- If you choose to carry, always carry, as much as possible. If the need comes you will have to defend yourself or those under your care, do you think it will be when you choose? Criminal's attack when the prey least expect it as do other vile critters. They have the luxury of picking and choosing their chosen prey and when to pounce. Could that "quick" run to the store be the time? Could just poping in for a quick burger with family be the time a disgrentled employee show's up? Is it possible that sitting with family enjoying a movie at a theater be the time a person who has no care for life decides to take it away? I am not trying to scare you, just reality of the world we live in, we must choose not to be a victim. Along with this, you want to carry as much as possible so you can "fine" tune and adjust it to your lifestyle. You will find that once you do, that you will feel "naked" without it. Imagine the first time you got a cell phone, at first it was a nuisance, in a short time, you stopped and looked till you found it before you left the home.
2- If your not prepared to use it, don't carry it. This is of course something that you must consider and decide long before you carry. There is nothing that you can put on to keep evil away, there is no magic, untill force field technology gets perfected. It doesn't matter if it is a knife, firearm, stun gun or hammer, you must have come to terms with the possible use of this rescue tool if the time comes. If properly trained, then you understand what will follow once you have to use the tool. Not just the legal aftermath, but the psychological and social as well. You must remember, criminal's do not fear the firearm or tool. They have their own and are familiar with them. What they truly fear is the potential prey who has come to terms with these issue's and have commited that if it comes, they will do what is necassary. We hope and pray we never have to be in the situation, but if it does come, we must have the decision of action already dealt with.
3- Do not allow the firearm to make you reckless. "with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail" is an old saying. Just because you have the firearm does not make you superman/superwoman. As already stated, those who carry legally are held to a higher standard of care". You are expected to know the law and the narrow scope of applying the rescue tool justifiably. This does not give you any special power, you are not a deputized law enforcement officer. Everything that you do will be measured by a magnifing glass, so make sure that you conduct yourself accordingly. Carrying a firearm is the last resort, and should be also the "brake" that should always be present in your mind before you go and get into the mix of a situation, it should always be present in the thought process.
4- Carry Legally. You are a lawabiding citizen, who has taken the time and responsiblity of seeking training and taking the time to obtain your license. You need to ask yourself this, "why did I find the need to get my conceal carry license and/or why do I feel the need to carry a firearm?". It will be different for everyone, but I would assume that you want the ability to protect yourself and those under your care if the need arised. Now, I want you to stop and think what you would do if a greater power took that away, forever! This is what will happen if you do not carry Legally, many times I have stated that we will be held to a higher standard of care and breaking the law is not what reasonable, prudent people do. The very law's of our great nation, give us the right to do this, unlike so many other countries. The law is not a serpent out slithering around looking and tempting you to become a felon. It is you who make the decision to give up this right by becoming a felon.
5- Know what you are doing. This applies just not with applying marksmanship skills, nor just carrying method. But goes along with understanding the law's that will be applied to you. You need to know the narrow scope of the law that you will be measured to if the situation ever transpires. There is all kinds of myth's out there that range from "just drag them inside" to "just say you was in fear of your life", it is not that simple. If someone tell's you this, are you willing to take their advice which will decide where you will sleep the next 20 years of your life? You have to know not only how to carry and use the rescue tool's, but you can justifiably use them. Would you give someone CPR who had a cut on their finger? Apply what is appropriate for the time. Having this knowledge and applying it comes with research and training. Study intently and understand why this person went to prison, yet this one did not. Your training should be not just in how to shoot, but when to shoot as well. FYI, I recommend first aid training as well, because you may have to render aid to yourself and/or your loved one. Having a guitar doesn't make you a rockstar, just as having a firearm doesn't make you prepared. Train!
6- Concealed means hidden from view. Remember just as you have a right to have the firearm, other citizens have the equal right not to see or be threatened by it. You want to keep it concealed for various reasons. Legally, most states have a "brandishing" or "threatening" laws, to protect all of us from such acts. So we want to ensure that someone doesn't feel this way and we become charged with breaking law (see #5 above). Tactically, we want to have the firearm concealed to keep this advantage in our favor. Picture if you will, you are in a convienant store, a criminal comes in to rob it, as you reach for something on top shelf they see your firearm. Who do you think they will eliminate first? We do not want anyone to know we are carrying. I also look at it as the first step in keeping it from unauthorized people. I do not want someon to be tempted to reach for it.
7- Be familiar with firearms. You have decided to carry a firearm for your protection and/or that of the ones you love. You want to know deeply how to manipulate it safely. If the time comes that you will need it, it will be within seconds. You want it to be second nature and extention of yourself. You want to know it intimately, how to load, unload, clear malfunction, how to fire it. I strongly urge that after you become familiar with your firearm, that you seek out being familiar with some different ones also. Have a working knowledge of single and double action revolvers, remember you may be in a situation to where you may have to pick one of those up too.
8- Study the fine points. Like signing a contract or buying something you need to read the fine print before you commit to something (see #5). Take sometime and understand the finer points of the laws in your area. Understanding them will help with other places that it is different. This will help you stay legal and comprehend what is just. The principle "ignorance of the law is no excuse", should be branded in your brain.
9- The firearm you carry should be adequate. The firearm/ammunition you carry should have a "track record" for stopping a threat. Remember, if you are ever in a situation to where you shoot a person, you will have to articulate why you did what you did, as well as, why you used what you did. If chosen carry method is not used by law enforcement then you might want to rethink it.
10- Make sure common sense is "Common". Use sound reasoning, logic and ethics as you would do at all times. Carrying a firearm you have the power of what? You literally have the power at your side of life and death. Why do you think that you have to get training and apply for a license to carry? Because this grave power belongs only in the hand of responsible people that understand the consequences of it. A person who values life and the safety of others. At all times use common sense.
I hope that this might give you some insight and guidance in carrying. Once again I want to thank Mr. Ayoob for putting this in an important article back in 2009, as well as, all his hard ground breaking work. My friend stay safe, train well and be aware.
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