You have a handgun. You have your permit. And now you’ve begun carrying concealed. The whole point of carrying concealed is to protect yourself, yes, but you also want keep that gun hidden. And unless you live in an open carry state, it’s the law.
Carrying a handgun concealed can be awkward at first. Soon it will become second nature, but in the meantime, here are some movements and actions that are a dead giveaway that you have handgun on your body. Learn how to carry a concealed gun with confidence.
Your gait might be awkward. If you are carrying at your ankle, you may find yourself favoring one leg, causing a slight limp. You may shake out your pant leg. You may lift your leg slightly to feel the weight of the gun. These will all call attention to the exact place on your body where you keep your handgun.
You might be shifting your hips awkwardly. Some new carriers rotate their hips inadvertently, again, to test the weight of the handgun or to feel the fabric covering the gun pull—just to make sure it’s still there.
You keep pulling your shirt or jacket down. If you are constantly pulling your jacket closed or tugging your shirt down, it calls attention and people will focus on that area of your body. Women don’t seem to have as much of an issue with this when they purse-carry; most women hold their purses tightly anyhow. But if we are constantly checking our designated gun compartment to feel the handgun, it looks suspicious. If you are not accustomed to having a handgun on your body, touching your gun through your clothing is instinctual. It takes self-control and confidence to avoid this mistake.
You are constantly checking your holster. Train yourself to not touch or check your holster. If you feel that you are needing to adjust it or you are touching it because it’s uncomfortable, then you need to get a new holster. A good holster should be comfortable enough that you never forget you are wearing it, but you should be able to leave it alone and go about your daily tasks with no need to look at it, adjust it or check it.
Arguments are often made that it’s fine for people to suspect you’re carrying. People might think you are but if they can’t see the outline of the gun or the actual gun itself, they might not be sure. That secret knowledge may provide some people with a little thrill. But the majority of experts agree that it’s safer and more effective to maintain the level of secrecy and surprise—which is what concealment means.
If you have purchased the right gun for you, and a high-quality holster, there’s no need for these physical checks. Your gun is still there.
