Concealed Carry Purses: Be safe & Know how to train
The one thing you must never do if you carry in a purse
Let's start with the basics of purse concealed carry: what it is and what it isn't.
The one thing you must never do is toss an unholstered firearm into the main compartment of your bag because it's dangerous, irresponsible, and not proper purse concealed carry.
The first concern with a “loose gun” in your purse is that other items in the bag could work their way inside the trigger guard and lead to accidental discharge, harming either yourself or an innocent bystander.
Secondly, a loose and unholstered gun in your purse can move around, making it impossible to know where to reach in and find the grip. A loose gun increases the chance that you’d have to rummage through the bag, which is too time-consuming and could prove deadly.
You should also consider how grime from items like lotion, candy, Chapstick, etc. can affect your firearm in the long run. You want to keep it away from things that could gum up your gun over time and cause a malfunction.
So, how should we purse conceal carry?
Left: Incorrect- loose gun at the bottom of purse. | Right: Correct - concealed carry purse with separate pocket for gun and secured holster.
Every good, concealed carry purse will have two essential features
An appropriate concealed carry purse will include the following features to keep you safe and help you draw your gun more quickly.
A Dedicated Gun Pocket keeps the gun away from other items in the bag so nothing can get into the trigger guard. This also helps to keep the gun clean and working properly.
A Stationary Holster – The gun should be in a holster that covers the trigger and is anchored in position (usually with Velcro). This positions the gun in a stationary place so you know where to find the grip each time, without looking. You can draw the gun with one hand, leaving the holster behind.
When safely holstered, the grip has a consistent position, so with practice, you should be able to reach in and grab it without looking. This skill is important because you may need to keep your eyes on the threat.
Can I convert an everyday purse into a CCW purse?
A purse insert with an integrated holster can prepare a normal purse for concealed carry. You could also add Velcro to a Kydex holster and line the inside of your bag with Velcro. Make sure to keep your gun in a separate pocket, away from all other items.
Is purse concealed carry safe?
Even with a good, concealed carry purse, there are pros and cons to "purse carry." It's important to discuss these so you can decide whether this is the right concealment method for you.
Purse concealed carry is an extremely popular choice among women, and I don't expect that to change. I use a CCW purse myself, so please know that I'm not trying to discourage the method but rather shed some light on ways we can use them more effectively.
Here's what you should be aware of. Let's start with the cons.
Cons
The thing with "off-body carry" is that you run the risk of getting separated from your firearm. A thief could try to steal the bag or negligence could lead to a curious child gaining access. So, you need to be vigilant.
If an aggressor goes for your bag and there's a gun inside, there's more pressure to fight for the purse vs. just letting them run off with it. Plus, if the aggressor is victorious, he has your gun and, most likely, the personal information on your driver's license. That's not a great combination.
Another concern is the time it takes to access your firearm. Drawing your gun from a purse is more time-consuming than drawing from a holster at your belt line; it just is.
That doesn't necessarily mean purse carry is pointless- for example, I've seen a surveillance video of a woman successfully using a concealed carry purse to prevent a child from being kidnapped. Still, life happens fast, and the quicker you can draw, the better!
Other concerns, such as accidental discharge or the gun moving around in your purse, can be addressed using a purse designed for concealed carry, as discussed in the previous section.
Pros
Purse concealed carry is comfortable, easy to conceal, and completely avoids the issue of "printing" or showing an outline of the gun through your clothes. Even with the most form-fitting outfit, a woman can still carry her self-defense tool. Plus, there’s a learning curve to dressing for concealed carry with an on-body holster. A concealed carry purse allows a woman to carry her firearm even if she hasn’t gained that confidence yet.
Concealed Carry Purses can also help ladies carry more consistently. Consider the woman who has the best of intentions to carry “on-body,” but frequently leaves her gun at home, when her outfit doesn’t conceal the firearm. A CCW purse helps avoid that situation and keeps her armed.
A concealed carry purse is also helpful for those who can't use a holster due to medical reasons or an injury.
Finally, for those who do carry on-body, a purse makes a great backup holster for situations where you need to disarm. For example, when wearing a thigh holster and using a public restroom, you can temporarily holster the gun in your purse.
How to train with a CC purse
This may be a "Hot Take," but I suspect that those who discourage purse concealed carry largely assume that women won't train with their purses. And really, if we're carrying off-body, we need to train even more. So, ladies, let's prove them wrong!
Here are some ways to train effectively with a concealed carry purse.
Vigilance/ Maintain Control of the Bag
Before putting a gun into your bag, you need to be able to keep track it. Therefore, the first step is to practice vigilance.
Vigilance: the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. In this case, keeping an eye on your bag.
Women who have carried purses all their lives may have a head start. However, even for the seasoned purse carriers, I recommend starting by only pretending you have a gun in your purse. Mentally take note of your purse-handling behavior. How many times did you set it down? Did you leave it unattended (even just for a few seconds)?
If you're not in the habit of carrying a purse, you may want to start with another type of holster while getting used to carrying a purse.
Start with an Unloaded gun & Practice Situational Awareness
Next, practice carrying a rubber or unloaded gun in the purse. This is a "baby step" into concealed carry to build confidence and test your ability to control the purse.
During this step, practice situational awareness or being alert and aware of your surroundings. It's natural to get tunnel vision when focused on a task, but I challenge you to lift your eyes and notice what's happening around you. Know what is typical for the environment so you can easily detect if something seems "off." Situational awareness alerts you to potential danger, giving you time to retreat and more time to draw your gun if necessary.
*The following steps build on the foundation of proper shooting technique so make sure to work with someone knowledgeable before moving on to these. The concealed carry course is a great place to start! Additional classes taught by local gun clubs, the NRA and USCCA are very beneficial.
Practice Your Draw
Having a self-defense tool only makes you safer if you know how to use it! Therefore, it’s extremely important to learn how to draw from your bag.
When I first started out, I wanted to avoid forming bad habits; so I sought help from qualified NRA (National Rifle Association) instructors, who taught me the basic 4 step draw for purse concealed carry. (And since then, I’ve become certified myself). Depending on your experience level, you may also want to work with a trainer.
Keep in mind that being smooth is more important when starting out, but eventually, you can build up speed. Everyone learns at a different pace, so there's also no definite time frame for this step. I encourage you to practice frequently enough so that you start to build confidence.
Safety Notice: Practice your draw with an unloaded gun and always point the muzzle in a safe direction! Never point the muzzle at something you're unwilling to destroy, even when the gun is unloaded.
Dry Fire
"Dry fire" means pulling the trigger of an unloaded gun for training purposes. It involves drawing from concealment, lining up the shot and pulling the trigger. Dry fire is helpful for building muscle memory, training your eyes to focus on the front sight, building speed, and more. Another benefit is that it doesn’t require ammunition, so it’s very cost effective!
A big thing to focus on is keeping your finger off the trigger until the muzzle is pointed at the “threat” or target, and it’s time to shoot. When considering the 4-step draw for purse carry, your finger should not be on the trigger until step 4.
You can easily do this at home but if you’d like more direction, a dry fire system like Mantis X can really help. The platform recommends different drills and captures data through a sensor that you attach to your gun. Data is then presented through an app on your phone so you can track your progress and identify areas of improvement.
When you know what to work on, you can have a lot of fun with dry fire training!
Safety Notice: Only do this with an unloaded gun and always point the muzzle in a safe direction! Never point the muzzle at something you're unwilling to destroy, even when the gun is unloaded.
Typically, it’s ok to dry fire with a center-fire gun, but dry firing could damage a rimfire gun. If you're unsure which you have, do a quick Google search with the brand and model of your gun.
Example: "Is a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard a centerfire?" or "Can I dry fire with a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard?"
Live fire, scenario based training.
Live Fire Training
Live fire training builds on the skill of dry firing and involves shooting real bullets at a target. It can be as simple as drawing from the purse and shooting, or get more advanced to include real-life scenario based training. Again, if you've never done this, it’s wise to work with a trainer or someone who knows what they are doing.
There are a few things I’d like to point out. First, different types of purses will feel different and your skill with one bag may not transfer to another type of bag. Make sure you’ve put enough dry fire reps in with a particular purse before taking it to the range.
You’ll also need to verify with the range that they allow members to draw from concealment. Some indoor ranges prohibit this altogether, but others may approve if you first work with one of their trainers.
I recommend warming up with some dry fire before taking your first shot. When it’s time to holster your loaded gun, do it slowly and make sure to keep the muzzle pointed down range.
Remember, being safe is the most important thing. Focus on a smooth draw and overtime you can build speed. Effective practice will help you be better prepared.
Conclusion
Concealed carry purses are a convenience and comfortable way to carry a firearm, allowing many women to incorporate concealed carry into their daily lives. However, it’s important to recognize the potential risks involved to better prepare for them. Investing in a quality purse designed specifically for concealed carry is a great first step, but don’t stop there! Effective training is key, including practicing skills such as situational awareness, drawing from concealment, dry fire drills, and live fire practice. With proper preparation, awareness, and skill building, women can carry their firearms safely and confidently.