Concealed Carry Roadmap - How to Get Started
If you’re new to gun ownership or are thinking about buying your first gun for personal protection, this post is for you! The gun-owning population of our country is growing fast, which is not surprising considering the trends of the last few years, not to mention, the events of the last few months. In many parts of our country, periods of civil unrest have overwhelmed law enforcement agencies, making it difficult for them to be responsive to those they’ve sworn to protect. What is a person to do? Many are taking responsibility for their own security and for those they love.
If you are new to the gun-owning community, or would like to be, welcome and congratulations! This is the first of a series of posts meant to help you on your journey to becoming a responsible, confident gun owner. I’ve found the gun community to be a welcoming and helpful group, but to a newcomer it can be intimidating to learn all the rules, terms, and skills involved. Don’t worry, I did it and so can you.
This first post will help you get started on your journey and others that follow will mark important milestones along the way. It’s not necessarily a linear process but I’m explaining it in a way that makes sense to me. Before we continue, I’d like to point out that this series is meant for those who are new to gun ownership and personal protection. Experienced gun owners may find this series too basic for their needs and that’s okay because, at least for a while, I’m writing to beginners. Also, I write primarily for a female audience but guys, you’re welcome too! I think both women and men will find useful information here.
Let’s get started!
Step 1: Get some experience
If you plan to own a firearm, it is essential that you get some shooting experience. Makes sense, right? I recommend doing this prior to taking a concealed carry class and prior to buying a gun.
Sure, the concealed carry class is an introductory class in many ways, but there’s a lot of information to cover in a short amount of time and it comes at you pretty fast. You will retain more information if you’ve formed a base of knowledge from which to build on, even if it’s a small base.
I also recommend delaying a gun purchase until you have had a chance to get training and shooting experience with several different gun models. You can do this by either shooting a friend’s gun or renting different models at a shooting range. This gives you the opportunity to try different types of guns with little investment and discover what you like and dislike. However, it is okay if you’ve already purchased a gun. If your needs change later, it is pretty easy to trade in for a different model. In fact, I changed my mind about my preferred carry gun 3 times in my first 6 years of carrying.
Before we get into how to get experience, here is the most important information to know! (It’s a good idea to memorize these)
4 rules of gun safety
Treat every gun as though it’s loaded.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
Don’t point the muzzle at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
Know your target and what is behind it.
Much of your training as a gun owner should be directed at making these rules habitual behavior.
How do I get experience?
Learn from a friend or family member
One of the more common ways people learn about shooting is through family and friends. My first experience with firearms included shooting a 22 caliber long gun at pop cans with my Dad, Uncle and Brother. I learned about gun safety and the basics of shooting in a fun, relaxed environment with people I trust.
Keep in mind, it’s important to learn from people who are meticulous about safety, so make sure you go with someone you trust. It’s not just an issue of character but also competence. I wouldn’t want to learn from someone’s Uncle Joe who has shot himself in the foot three times.
If you’re confident your friend or family member is a competent and safe shooter this is a good option, but if you question their skills, or your ability to judge them, seek help from a certified trainer.
Visit your local Gun Range
Look online to find a gun dealer who also has a shooting range near you and check their website to see if they offer training for beginners. Even if they are not listed online, it’s worth asking if the dealer has any offerings like the ones below.
One-on-one training with an instructor or qualified professional who will work with you based on your current level of experience.
Introductory class that teaches gun safety and the basics of shooting.
Join a club- Ask if any clubs or shooting chapters meet regularly at the range. For example, The well-armed woman, or A Girl and a Gun. These groups are known for teaching the basics of shooting and facilitating discussions around the topics of firearm ownership and self-protection.
I remember feeling intimidated the first time I walked into a gun store. It’s not that the staff was rude, it’s more that I doubted myself. I thought, “I don’t know enough to be here.” Not true! I had every right to be there and so do you! There are lots of good firearm dealers/ ranges that are eager to help you learn and provide training for shooters of all experience levels. Find a range where the employees are patient and willing to answer your questions.
There are no dumb questions so ask as many as you want! Your main goal should be to become familiar with the basics of shooting and gun safety. Always remember the four safety rules and keep in mind, safety requires more than just knowledge it also takes practice! Take action to develop safe gun handling habits that stick around even if you’re under stress or distracted.
If you can, try several types of guns to see how they differ, which will help you learn what you like and dislike. These trips to the range are good exposure and will create a base of knowledge you can build on.
Stay tuned for next week’s post: Getting your concealed carry permit
