Top 5 Common Concealed Carry Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

You may end up seriously hurting both yourself and those closest to you if you conceal a firearm in the wrong way. No one is perfect. We learn from our mistakes.

The vast majority of concealed carry holders, experienced or not, make the same missteps. Often, we become so accustomed to and familiar with things that we overlook, ignore, or fail to pay attention to them due to their routine nature.

Making mistakes isn’t something you want to find out the hard way. Likewise, I strongly believe that learning the proper way to carry concealed should not be a trial-and-error process.

You can be safer and more effective if you avoid the most common concealed carry mistakes listed below when conceal carrying.

Top 5 Common Concealed Carry Mistakes

I’ve listed the mistakes I believe new concealed carry users will make most, but even experienced concealed carry users can make them from time to time.

1. Not Understanding Gun Laws

Seek regular updates from a competent source about the current handgun laws in your state. There is no excuse not to know these laws as they are typically very easy to find with a quick Google search.

Choosing to carry concealed means you must be familiar with all applicable laws, whether local, state, or federal. There are differences between each state and region. Ensure that you understand the exact law that applies to every situation.

• Knowing when you are allowed or prohibited to shoot in your state or jurisdiction is important.
• When it’s okay to use deadly force.
• Where you are allowed and not allowed to carry concealed. 
• When it is permissible to brandish and print.
• When a police officer routinely stops your vehicle, you will need to know how and when to show your CC license and permit.
• Disparate force factors and how to recognize them.
• In case of a shooting, how to deal with the police.

Moreover, one needs to know what to do in the aftermath of a shooting. There are a lot of things to know.

2. Using A Cheap Holster

The holster industry offers a variety of quality holsters that aren’t too expensive, as well as some really bad ones that cost way too much. If you want to wear your holster every day, the material must be comfortable and retain the gun properly.

People who have carried for years have an entire drawer full of holsters at home because the holster didn’t serve them well. If you want to find the most appropriate holster for you and your lifestyle, experiment with several different types.

Buying a holster solely based on price is much more costly than buying a quality holster. In order to effectively conceal your firearm with a holster, you’ll want to choose a reliable and reputable manufacturer that designs holsters tailored to your carry gun.

3. Not Using a Proper Gun Belt

When drawing and re-holstering your handgun, a gun belt will allow you to do so correctly. Gun Belts are sometimes viewed as just as important as holsters for guns.

Others say that holsters are more important. Regardless of the circumstance, a gun belt is a “must-have” handgun accessory. It is important to have reliable access to your gun and support for it.

Full-grain leather gun belts are rigid for minimizing movement, providing long-lasting durability, and supporting the weight of your weapon. They are strong and durable and increase comfort.

An inner layer of Kydex reinforced with leather will make it rigid and prevent it from distorting, folding, and sagging. When it comes to gun belts, quality usually means spending more money instead of paying $15 to get your hands on discount store flimsy belt.

4. Not Having Enough Training

You are qualified to acquire a concealed weapons permit in many states after taking a hunter safety course. These courses, however, only teach how to use rifles safely in the woods.

The fact that you can’t shoot over a road when you go hunting is good, but it’s not exactly preparing you for the day when you have to deal with the public now that you’re carrying a weapon.

It is surprising how little preparation even some classes that are designed specifically to qualify you for a concealed carry permit provide.

Make sure you research classes before deciding which one to take and find one that offers proper instruction rather than rushing you out of the course.

Often, in a course developed solely for money, you will be taken through some basic concepts, shoot a few rounds, and be sent on your way.

In your search for the right course, you should consider the following: There will be instructors who will do everything they can to make sure you leave their class prepared.

Lastly, don’t assume you’re ready to handle every situation just because you’ve received a license. Concealed carriers are constantly learning, both physically and mentally.

5. Not Carrying Regularly

After taking the time, effort, and expense to get the CC license/permit, there are many reasons why someone might not carry their firearm daily.

How come just a few people carry continuously and others only sporadically? In the past, I made the same mistake. Be prepared for unexpected deadly-force encounters with your CC gun, and don’t take any risks.

Those of us legally permitted to carry should do so at all times. It may be difficult to transport theirs to certain places or to travel to several restricted states if they carry. Many people living in one state can carry but working in another state will not allow it.

Despite our best efforts to avoid dangerous places, people, and situations, the most frequent reason some do not carry daily is to carry only when threatened or feel in danger.

Final Words

Here are the top concealed carry mistakes you can make. I’ve also mentioned how you can avoid them. It’s better to learn all the possible mistakes you can make when you are concealed carrying and not learn the hard way.