Concealed Carry: Beyond the Gun

Concealed carry is not a new phenomenon, but I think in the last few years, we have seen a great deal more training opportunities available. More than at any time in history, the average person has easy access to firearms training, enough to make them competent and skilled fighters. And as we’ve seen concealed carry training grow, a new side to the training world has grown, one that goes well beyond just carrying a firearm. Training with a firearm is a must if you plan to carry it, but there are some skills worth learning beyond the gun.

Today we’ll explore those skills and hopefully get you on the road to being a person not only skilled with a gun but also possessing a variety of skills to make you a better-prepared individual. If self-preservation and the protection of your family, friends, and community is your goal, then these skills can be invaluable.

Inside the Waistband EDC medical kit

De-Escalation

This should be a skill you learn before you ever tote a gun. The last thing any concealed carrier should ever want to do is use their firearm. The ability to de-escalate or prevent situations from occurring can come naturally to some but not so easily to others. Situations can obviously vary widely, and knowing what techniques work and how to employ them can be a lifesaver.

the big three world leaders in ww2
Working together is better than trying to nuke each other.

One of the more important tools for de-escalation is the ability to recognize body language and tone changes and respond in a reasonable way. Chest puffing and smack-talking are not the reasonable way. Being able to de-escalate a situation can involve anything from talking politely to removing yourself from the situation.

De-escalation training is widely available, and numerous free YouTube videos cover a wide range of techniques and situations. It’s worth the watch to listen and learn how to recognize potentially violent behaviors. It’s also wise to do a self-assessment of your own reactions and how you handle everything from rude people to direct conflict.

Basic Medical Knowledge

It’s been absolutely fantastic to see trauma-based medical knowledge expand rapidly. Many gun owners and concealed carriers nowadays know what a CAT Tourniquet does and where to get one. Companies have even responded and produced mini IFAKs designed to be carried daily. Hell, at the range, I see tons of belt-mounted IFAKs. Knowing how to provide CPR, how to stop bleeding, and the basics of an AED can be serious lifesavers.

Immediate Casualty Care IWB Flat Medical Kit Contents.
Immediate Casualty Care IWB Flat Medical Kit Contents.

A firearm and the ability to use it only apply to one situation. Medical skills can be used in a wide variety of situations. If you make holes, you should be able to plug them. These skills can be used so often that I really believe that if you want to be a good citizen, you should be able to provide first aid.

Medical classes taught by companies like Dark Angel Tactical and Mountain Man medical can get you trained up in a realistic manner to deal with a traumatic event. Mountain Man Medical offers a free online course that teaches you the very basics but isn’t a total replacement for in-person training. It is, however, a great way to get started.

Hand to Hand

You don’t need to be a blackbelt or a golden gloves boxer by any means. You should be able to handle yourself in a sudden, close-quarters fight. Knowing how to tuck your chin and put a block up can be a great way to avoid a physical attack. You need to be in the fight long enough to get your gun and potentially protect your gun from a grab.

I love Mortal Kombat as much as you do, but you don’t need to be a champion MMA fighter to know how to handle yourself. On the flip side, just like firearm skills, hand-to-hand is a perishable skill that needs to be reworked and retrained. While it evolves slower than firearms technology, it’s smart to pay attention to what works.

What works tends to be practical martial arts like Ju-Jitsu. Ju-Jitsu is admittedly hot at the moment, and finding a place to train is much easier than ever before. Training outfits like Shiv Works teach firearm-focused retention and real-world fighting skills.

Planning and Situational Awareness

I was recently at a large public event, and prior to going, I made sure I understood where it was hosted, where I’d park, where a hospital was, and what to expect from the event. This includes the ability or lack thereof to carry a firearm.

situational awareness
The importance of being aware of your surroundings cannot be stressed enough. (Photo credit: Paratus)

At that same event, I was a paranoid nerd posing as a ShEePdOg, but I kept my eyes open and made sure I figured out where the exits were. I knew where police were located, and I also made sure to mark exactly where I parked on Google maps, so I knew exactly how to get to my car regardless of which exit I used to leave the event.

Planning and situational awareness are tough to train. They come into play in most events and allow you to prepare for the worst. It also helps you avoid having to run into potential problems. Early detection is a great way to avoid threats. There is tons of information online that can teach you how to plan and maintain situational awareness.

Physical Fitness

Oof, I hurt my own feelings with this one. After building a house, I gained about 20 pounds. It turns out that eating fast food on a job site for months at a time isn’t good for you. Physical fitness can save your life in two ways. First, it makes it harder for a threat to kill you. Second, it makes it harder for life to kill you. The amount of obnoxiously overweight people carrying guns shocks me.

physical training
(Photo: Flickr)

You carry a gun to defend yourself from a threat, but you won’t stop eating cupcakes to avoid the inevitable dose of heart disease. Carrying a gun can’t beat a heart attack. If it could, my uncle Chuck would still be around. You don’t need to win the Arnold Classic and run a marathon. However, some basic physical fitness can be a lifesaver.

Being able to run, climb, and fight back physically is incredibly important. You don’t even need a gym membership to make it happen. There are tons of great programs out there that allow you to just use body weight. Check out Darebee to find a ton of free programs and workouts that only require body weight. Get out there and push, pull, squat, and run!

Beyond the Gun

Knowing how to use a gun is critical if you carry it. You should be able to shoot straight, shoot fast, and carry efficiently. If you are truly dedicated to the safety and protection of yourself, your family, and your community then you should consider a handful of skills outside of the gun. Hopefully, we’ve given you some guidance to get a good start on becoming more than a gunslinger.

Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner and a lifelong firearms enthusiast. Now that his days of working a 240B like Charlie Parker on the sax are over he's a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is probably most likely the world's Okayest firearm instructor. He is a simplicisist when it comes to talking about himself in the 3rd person and a self-professed tactical hipster. Hit him up on Instagram, @travis.l.pike, with story ideas.

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