If you’re interested in keeping a firearm on you at all times in order to keep yourself and others safe from whatever dangers might be near, it’s good to know that there’s a lot more that goes along with this than just purchasing the firearm and strapping it to your body. So to help ensure that you’re ready for all this entails, here are three things to know before getting a concealed carry firearm.
Getting The Permit Can Be An Ordeal
In order to legally carry a firearm on you, you have to have a concealed carry permit. But depending on where you live, getting this type of permit can be easier said than done.
According to Brandon Curtis, a contributor to ConcealedNation.org, the process to get a concealed carry permit can take a long time, be very extensive, and be considerably expensive. If you don’t know this beforehand, you might wind up getting very frustrated by this process. So before you really get started with getting your permit, make sure you do your research about the requirements in your area so you know exactly what you’ll need and what hoops you’ll have to jump through.
Realize That This Is A Total Lifestyle Adjustment
Getting a concealed carry permit is something that’s going to have a big impact on many areas of your life that you may not even realize before you start carrying. And because many people don’t realize this before getting their permit, they find that they don’t actually want to be carrying concealed all the time.
In addition to the extra weight that you’ll have strapped to your body at all times, Tom McHale, a contributor to USConcealedCarry.com, shares that you may also have to purchase new clothes or alter some of your clothing so that you can comfortably keep your firearm on you. You will also have to learn what situations you won’t be able to have your firearm on you, like on school grounds or government buildings. You’ll then need to figure out how to safely store your firearm during these times. All of these things together will require a completely different way of thinking and behaving than you have done in the past.
Plan On Doing A Lot Of Self Educating
Even if you’ve been hunting or shooting for years before getting your concealed carry permit, you should still expect to do a lot of self educating about keeping a firearm on you both before and after you secure your permit.
Unlike with other forms of sport shooting, Richard Mann, a contributor to Field and Stream, shares that you’ll need to train yourself on how to handle being in high-stress situations where people’s lives could be at stake, which isn’t something you’ll have been used to.
If you’re thinking that you’ll want to get a concealed carry permit in the near future, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this process and lifestyle.
