National Carry AcademyTop 5 Mistakes Permit Holders Need To Avoid
October 14, 2015
Top 5 Mistakes Permit Holders Need To Avoid
People make mistakes. We are human after all. Fortunately, we can learn from our own and others to ensure that we do not repeat them again. Most mistakes are harmless. I forgot to add fabric softener to the laundry. I went 55 in a 45 zone. I still use my @aol.com address.
Unfortunately, mistakes while carrying a firearm could be more costly. Check out our Top 5 list of mistakes that carry permit holders most commonly make:
Lack Of Training
While taking a concealed carry course is the first and best step towards becoming a responsibly armed citizen, it is far from the only training you should receive. These courses, ours included, cover the basics of firearm safety but focus predominately on the legal aspect regarding carrying a weapon. In these classes most people learn where they can and cannot carry, the requirements for deadly force, and the basic workings of a firearm.
But as we have seen in the news recently people employ firearms incorrectly. From the women trying to shoot the tires of a shoplifter to the homeowner who shot at people picking apples from a tree that hung over her fence, permit holders sometimes do stupid things as well.
Taking a course is the minimum requirement in most states to obtain your permit. But as we learned in middle school, you should always strive to go above and beyond. Take advanced handgun courses. Read blogs online (hopefully ours as well!) Talk with other responsibly armed citizens about what they do and where they go for training and information. Always be trying to improve your knowledge and skills on a daily basis.
Proper Equipment
Carrying concealed can start to add up after awhile. All together, a firearm, holster, magazines, and clothing can cost thousands of dollars. It is easy to cut corners and find less expensive gear but the age old saying “you get what you pay for” can be best represented by the firearm industry.
Ensure that you have a proper and well fitting holster that you will not get tired of after a day of carrying. Invest in a reliable firearm and maintain the weapon to ensure that if you have to use it that it will function properly.
At the end of the day, saving a few dollars here and there could end up costing you your life down the road.
Train Like You Mean It
While going to the range and firing some shots is always good, it is important to remember to train using real world scenarios. Most ranges do not allow you to move on the firing line or shoot from concealed positions, but it is important to practice those if you can.
Find a range that will allow you to draw from a holster, shoot from a kneeling or prone position, and move freely along the firing line if there is no other users at the range. With that, always make certain that you are focusing on safety to ensure that you do not put yourself or others in danger.
Know Your Laws
There are thousands of YouTube videos out there showing people trying to convince law enforcement officers that they are wrong and do not have a complete understanding of a specific law. Does this happen? Yes. Should you get into an argument with a police officer on the side of the road? Absolutely not.
Not fully understanding the law could be the difference between a Saturday afternoon walk and a felony firearm possession charge. Ensure that you know the laws regarding the use of deadly force, where you can and cannot carry, and how you have to interact with law enforcement if they approach you while you are carrying.
Consistently Carrying and Having a Proper Mindset
Don’t think I lumped these two together just so this wasn’t labeled “The Top 6 list of mistakes.” These two go hand in hand.
Having the proper mindset is paramount when it comes to carrying a firearm. At all times you should be mindful of your surroundings and your firearm. I am not recommending that you walk around all day on high alert, but you should be prepared by ensuring that you are not putting yourself in dangerous situations voluntarily. Remember, just because you are carrying a firearm, doesn’t make you a law enforcement officer. Using a firearm is by far your last resort and you should do everything in your power to remove yourself from dangerous situations before it comes to that point.
Finally, ensure that you are carrying consistently. This means that anytime you can, you should strive to have your firearm on you. Bad things happen to good people all the time. Whether you are driving through the bad part of town or navigating Costco in the suburbs on a Sunday afternoon, you should always have your firearm on you if it is allowed by law.
Ready to get your permit? Select your state!
Top 5 Mistakes Permit Holders Need To Avoid
October 14, 2015
Top 5 Mistakes Permit Holders Need To Avoid
People make mistakes. We are human after all. Fortunately, we can learn from our own and others to ensure that we do not repeat them again. Most mistakes are harmless. I forgot to add fabric softener to the laundry. I went 55 in a 45 zone. I still use my @aol.com address.
Unfortunately, mistakes while carrying a firearm could be more costly. Check out our Top 5 list of mistakes that carry permit holders most commonly make:
Lack Of Training
While taking a concealed carry course is the first and best step towards becoming a responsibly armed citizen, it is far from the only training you should receive. These courses, ours included, cover the basics of firearm safety but focus predominately on the legal aspect regarding carrying a weapon. In these classes most people learn where they can and cannot carry, the requirements for deadly force, and the basic workings of a firearm.
But as we have seen in the news recently people employ firearms incorrectly. From the women trying to shoot the tires of a shoplifter to the homeowner who shot at people picking apples from a tree that hung over her fence, permit holders sometimes do stupid things as well.
Taking a course is the minimum requirement in most states to obtain your permit. But as we learned in middle school, you should always strive to go above and beyond. Take advanced handgun courses. Read blogs online (hopefully ours as well!) Talk with other responsibly armed citizens about what they do and where they go for training and information. Always be trying to improve your knowledge and skills on a daily basis.
Proper Equipment
Carrying concealed can start to add up after awhile. All together, a firearm, holster, magazines, and clothing can cost thousands of dollars. It is easy to cut corners and find less expensive gear but the age old saying “you get what you pay for” can be best represented by the firearm industry.
Ensure that you have a proper and well fitting holster that you will not get tired of after a day of carrying. Invest in a reliable firearm and maintain the weapon to ensure that if you have to use it that it will function properly.
At the end of the day, saving a few dollars here and there could end up costing you your life down the road.
Train Like You Mean It
While going to the range and firing some shots is always good, it is important to remember to train using real world scenarios. Most ranges do not allow you to move on the firing line or shoot from concealed positions, but it is important to practice those if you can.
Find a range that will allow you to draw from a holster, shoot from a kneeling or prone position, and move freely along the firing line if there is no other users at the range. With that, always make certain that you are focusing on safety to ensure that you do not put yourself or others in danger.
Know Your Laws
There are thousands of YouTube videos out there showing people trying to convince law enforcement officers that they are wrong and do not have a complete understanding of a specific law. Does this happen? Yes. Should you get into an argument with a police officer on the side of the road? Absolutely not.
Not fully understanding the law could be the difference between a Saturday afternoon walk and a felony firearm possession charge. Ensure that you know the laws regarding the use of deadly force, where you can and cannot carry, and how you have to interact with law enforcement if they approach you while you are carrying.
Consistently Carrying and Having a Proper Mindset
Don’t think I lumped these two together just so this wasn’t labeled “The Top 6 list of mistakes.” These two go hand in hand.
Having the proper mindset is paramount when it comes to carrying a firearm. At all times you should be mindful of your surroundings and your firearm. I am not recommending that you walk around all day on high alert, but you should be prepared by ensuring that you are not putting yourself in dangerous situations voluntarily. Remember, just because you are carrying a firearm, doesn’t make you a law enforcement officer. Using a firearm is by far your last resort and you should do everything in your power to remove yourself from dangerous situations before it comes to that point.
Finally, ensure that you are carrying consistently. This means that anytime you can, you should strive to have your firearm on you. Bad things happen to good people all the time. Whether you are driving through the bad part of town or navigating Costco in the suburbs on a Sunday afternoon, you should always have your firearm on you if it is allowed by law.
Ready to get your permit? Select your state!