Editor’s Note: Be aware of your local and state as well as federal laws and how they apply to carrying firearms and self-defense. This article does not represent training advice/guidance. Please seek training from a professional firearms trainer for your self-defense needs.
Concealed carry might be described as the practice of going about in public with a handgun hidden on your person. Until fairly recently, concealed carry by persons other than law enforcement officers was rare. Beginning in the 19th century, many states passed laws prohibiting the carrying of a concealed firearm in public, although a few allowed the carrying of a handgun as long as it was opened to view.
In some jurisdictions, a responsible citizen could obtain a carry permit; however, these often required a great deal of difficulty and expense to secure. Vermont was the sole exception to the rule and citizens of the Green Mountain State have always had the right to carry a concealed weapon.
But in 1987, things began to change. At that time, Florida enacted legislation pre-empting local and county laws relative to carrying a concealed firearm and established uniform standards where its citizens could obtain a permit to carry a weapon for self-defense.
That was the proverbial “crack in the dam” and in short order many other states followed suit. There was, however, still a great disparity from one state to the next. Many states went with a “shall issue” philosophy of making permits available to any citizen who could lawfully own a firearm. Others authorized “Constitutional Carry” where responsible citizens could carry a concealed firearm in public without obtaining permission from the government.
On the other hand, some states held the line and continued to put obstacles in the path of individuals who wished to carry a firearm for personal defense. Sure, there was a framework for obtaining a permit in these “may issue” restrictive states, but unless you had a lot of money to spend or were well connected, the likelihood of getting government permission was nil.
In 2022, the landscape changed 180 degrees with a case called “New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc. vs. Bruen”. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated New York’s requirement that applicants had to show proper cause before obtaining a concealed carry permit. With the Bruen decision now the law of the land, states had to allow for either Constitutional Carry or issue permits.
Sore Losers
To cut right to the chase, the celebration of the Bruen decision by proponents of concealed carry in those restrictive jurisdictions was brief. Before the ink was dry, opponents of the Second Amendment where plotting to find ways to undermine it.
The same old tired arguments of rampant violence were once again advanced by many politicians, but to date this hasn’t happened. As of January 2025, over 58,000 concealed carry permits have been issued in my home state alone, which remains a very restrictive place for purchasing, owning and carrying firearms. Clearly, if there was a problem with these people carrying guns in public, you would know about it.
However, the anti- Second Amendment crowd continues to put obstacles in the path of those individuals who prefer some control over their own destiny. High on the list is sensitive places where, even if you have a permit, it’s unlawful to carry a concealed firearm. For example, what about parks and on public transportation where I would want to have the means to protect myself? How about entering an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages, a hospital, museum, government building, zoo, theater, racetrack, sporting event or a casino? This is just a partial list of places where the carrying of a firearm is prohibited in some jurisdictions.
In my home state, a recent court decision upheld the prohibitions of carrying firearms in some places and relaxed restrictions in others. Laws continue to vary widely from state to state and, if you choose to carry a firearm, it’s your responsibility to do a little research. As courts look at the challenges to the various restrictions, we can probably expect additional changes down the road.
Hoops to Jump Through
In many “shall issue” states the process is relatively easy and involves some paperwork, a shooting test, or even a bit of class time. But as one might surmise, the states that were dragged into this kicking and screaming continue to make obtaining the permit as difficult and costly as possible.
I was involved in use of force instruction and firearms instruction for just about all of my law enforcement career and remain a big proponent of thorough and effective training. All responsible gun owners who wish to carry a concealed firearm should seek out some serious firearms instruction, participate in regular practice to maintain proficiency, and get familiar with the law.
Unfortunately, what I see are some charlatans who purport to be part of the movement to protect our rights, but are rather taking advantage of the situation and providing a bare minimum of information for an outrageous amount of money. Shop around for a reputable instructor or range and check out their reviews. They are out there. Be sure to find them.
For individuals applying for a concealed carry permit, my home state requires that one pass a proficiency test, have instruction on use of force, and complete a block on safe gun handling. Four references who are not relatives must be provided and you must submit to a mental health and background check. Applicants must also submit a list of all the handguns that they own.
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But there’s more! If your fingerprints are not on file, in my experience you will start off by paying about 80 bucks to one of the authorized providers who turns them over to the state. The application fee is $226, which to say the least is an impressive hunk of change to tap into a Constitutional right. Needless to say, there could be a significant fee for renewal once your initial permit expires.
As indicated earlier, the process is much easier in some states, but it seems like the most restrictive jurisdictions put every possible obstacle in your path. In one neighboring state, the government wanted access to your past and present social media accounts when applying for a concealed carry permit. Fortunately, that provision was struck down by the courts.
You Still Want to Do This?
I have carried a concealed firearm on a daily basis for many years, first as a law enforcement officer, now as a private citizen. It has been said experience might be defined as first doing things the wrong way and then eventually getting on the right path. I thought I might share a few thoughts on concealed carry that will keep you on the right path and perhaps even save you a couple of bucks.
I will be the first to admit that carrying a concealed handgun about polite society is pretty cool at first. But in short order, most of us will find it difficult. It is, indeed, a lifestyle change. You have to pay far more attention to the clothes you wear, places you go, and even the people that might be in your company.
One observation I have made over the years is a great many people only carry their firearm when they perceive there might be an element of danger. Quite frankly, if I could have predicted when I was going to get myself in a tense situation, I would have quit my law enforcement job and got a job reading minds in Las Vegas. Also, a responsible firearm owner would avoid that danger completely in the first place.
Clearly, danger often appears when we least expect it, often in areas or when participating in activities we feel are safe. If you pick and choose the times you carry your handgun, you are rolling the dice. Carrying a gun all the time is one less decision I have to make. Sure, it’s inconvenient, but it gives you options you wouldn’t have if unarmed.
Hopefully, the path you have to follow to EDC will not be that difficult as some of the more restrictive states. Even though I reside in one, as a retired law enforcement officer, LEOSA exempts me from most of the restrictions imposed by my home state. As appeals to the Constitutionality of many of these restrictions play out in court, I am optimistic that some of the more onerous rules, particularly about carrying firearms in public places, will go by the wayside.
The first step in going forward with EDC involves getting a proper firearm. You may already own a capable handgun, but is it right for the task at hand? To my thinking, this is where the Goldilocks principle comes into play. Your chosen handgun shouldn’t be too small or too big, but just right.
Service-size pistols can be effectively concealed and carried, but it takes considerably more effort and most practitioners would rather pass on the “heavy metal.” On the other hand, downsized “pocket pistols” are easy to hide and a joy to carry, but it can be more difficult to shoot them to a high standard. Like many things in life, the real answer is somewhere in the middle.
The handgun you opt to carry on a regular basis has got to be in harmony with your everyday attire and the environment you function in. I no longer go to an office on a regular basis, and loose casual clothing allows me to conceal a fair size handgun with little fuss. If business attire or some sort of work uniform must be worn, the process is a bit more complicated as we don’t want to be tipping our hand to co-workers. Fortunately, we are in the golden era of easy to conceal yet formidable firearms which makes this task easier.
I would recommend taking a hard look at a compact, sub-compact or micro pistol and see what best suits your needs. High on my list would be something like the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro, which is a very slim pistol, but still boasts a very generous magazine capacity. If you require a smaller handgun to stay under the radar something like the original Springfield Armory Hellcat or XD-S Mod.2 may just be the ticket. With the right holster, these pistols are easily concealed and are chambered for a legitimate fight-stopping service cartridge making them a far better choice than an old school pocket pistol.
Other Considerations
The type of clothing you wear on a daily basis not only influences the sort of pistol you carry, but also the holster you carry it in. One the most important qualities of any holster you choose for EDC is that it must help hide the gun with the type of clothing you normally wear.
Inside-the-waistband holsters (IWB) are the most discreet as the slide and barrel are contained inside the pants. These holsters can be worn behind the strong side hip or in front of the body (appendix carry) and are very low-profile. Some IWB holsters feature clips that attach to the waistband, allowing the shirt to be tucked over the firearm to reduce visibility.
Outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters worn on the strong side hip are also very popular, but may require a little more effort to help conceal the gun. If you go this route, be sure to select one that rides tight to the body and rides high on the belt as to not peek out from underneath your covering garment. Women who prefer OWB carry would be well served seeking a manufacturer who cuts holsters specifically for the female form as many off the rack holsters will prove unsatisfactory. It will make a huge difference in comfort and firearm access.
[Be sure to read about Alternative Handgun Concealment for Women here.]
There are indeed specialized holsters including shoulder, ankle, pocket and crossdraw rigs, but they aren’t nearly as efficient as the IWB or OWB variety and are best reserved for special purposes. No matter what sort of holster you choose, don’t cut corners and go with quality. Your gun is only as good as the holster you put it in.
Although gun play involving armed citizens typically involves just a few odd rounds fired, you still need a means to carry extra ammunition. If you choose an autopistol, some sort of carrier for that spare magazine will be needed. It can take the form of a single or double pouch affixed to the belt or a pouch in the pocket. One of my favorites attaches to the top of the pocket with a clip that looks much like a folding knife.
Concealing a gun on your person will require a covering garment. Three seasons of the year, this doesn’t present much of a challenge. However, hot, humid weather changes everything for me. With a little effort, you can still effectively carry a concealed firearm contained in an IWB holster under an untucked shirt.
Avoid snug fitting garments that “print” your gun for the world to see. Patterns will prove more effective than solid colors should you have a need to hide a pistol under light clothing. There are in fact a few companies who manufacture casual attire specifically designed to camouflage a concealed handgun.
It’s Your Call
As you can see, there is a lot more to EDC than strapping up a pistol and going about your business. For responsible citizens here in the U.S. complying with the law isn’t especially difficult, and the process might be a minor inconvenience. But in “limited freedom” states, getting your ducks in a row still requires a great deal of effort and sometimes considerable expense.
I for one, am very interested to see how the various legal appeals in sensitive areas plays out. It would seem not being able to carry a concealed firearm in many public places violates the spirit of the Bruen decision and, in some cases, the court has felt the same way and restrictions have been rolled back. No doubt, none of this will be decided anytime soon.
So, team, is it worth it? Only you can make that call. Sure, that process is very involved and pricey if you live in a “limited freedom” state; but what price do you put on your well-being? Carrying a concealed handgun every time you leave your home is a burden, but it leaves you with choices. If confronted by violence and you are not responsibly armed, you have no choice but to go with the flow.
So, please, responsibly exercise your Constitutional right to self-defense. Remember that there are those who look to counter and restrict this right — as well those within the firearms community who seemingly support it, but rather might be taking advantage of the situation for their own personal gain. Exercise your rights, make wise decisions, and take control of your own destiny.
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