(CCR Editor’s Note: There is a huge debate over whether off-body carry of a firearm is viable and safe. Off-body carry is carrying the firearm secured in containers not attached to the body as a holster would be such as a handbag, briefcase or the man-purse as some so eloquently refer to any bag a man carries. Retention is the most often touted concern with such concerns voiced as, “If they take your purse, they got your gun.”)
Are you carrying ON your person?
As we work our way through everyday life, we find ourselves having to be flexible with our concealed carry options simply due to the individual lives that we lead and our changing circumstances. Most firearms professionals like myself will be quick to tell you to be consistent with your carry options. This, of course, is to enhance your proficiency when an unexpected encounter causes the subconscious mind to take command of your response, and it increases the likelihood of your success in a given situation. However, the reality is that many of us lead active lives that require various options of concealed carry in order for us to maintain our level of self protection throughout our busy days.
The ability to return your weapon of choice to the carry location once you have escaped danger or overcome your adversary is equally important.
For example, a reader might work in a downtown office environment during the day, exercise at the gym after work, and then eat a casual dinner with clients or friends before turning in for the evening. On the weekends, a retreat to the beach or out to the countryside would be a strong possibility for the city dweller. Conversely, those who live in rural areas often want to trek to the more populated areas in their time off for a change of pace, and perhaps entertainment. The beach, providing the weather is agreeable, is a common place to visit for all of us not averse to the sun.
As I think all will agree, a point of concealed carry is to carry without attracting undue attention. Each of the venues suggested above, as well as the many variants peculiar to each individual, creates a need for more than one means of carrying concealed. As always, we should strive to practice with each method, and make every effort to be as proficient with one method as the next.
Off body carry is commonly thought to be primarily for women, but men can effectively use this method as well. Considerations for off body concealed carry are the same as on body methods: Ease of access is a must in the event of a surprise confrontation. Retention is important in a similar situation in that a surprise attack could easily relieve you of your carry medium if not maintained securely by your arms and hands. The ability to return your weapon of choice to the carry location once you have escaped danger or overcome your adversary is equally important. The fewer people that see that you have a weapon means the less attention that you attract to yourself, and the less likely that you will be considered the bad guy.
Over the shoulder carry is a highly recommended method. Provided the carry device has a specific carry location such as a fitted internal holster and a substantial strap with attachments, it affords access, retention, and recovery…
In the next few paragraphs I will make a few suggestions of what has been known to work in a variety of situations for myself and some of my associates. Nothing is perfect, so take the objective-based approach of what will best serve you in your specific situation. Use these suggestions in addition to your own individual needs and you should be in good shape to accomplish your mission.
Over the shoulder carry is a highly recommended method. Provided the carry device has a specific carry location such as a fitted internal holster and a substantial strap with attachments, it affords access, retention, and recovery so that it can’t be easily ripped out of your control by a surprise attacker. A purse, document bag, or soft side briefcase are most likely to be used for shoulder carry. For some applications a fanny pack draped over the shoulder rather than around the waist may be appropriate. In most cases the carry device needs to be carried high under the arm somewhere between the elbow and the armpit. One reason for this is retention. The arm can simply clamp down on the carry device if a take-away is attempted. Another is the draw and recovery stroke, particularly if the access point is in the end of the carrier and not on the top. A rarely considered advantage of this method is escape. It is a whole lot easier to run with something high under your arm than with something dangling at your waist or lower.
Hand carry via an evening purse, daily planner, small document carrier or the increasingly popular “man purse” may get the call in certain applications. If at all possible buy one with a wrist strap for retention and recovery of the weapon to the carry location after the need for the weapon has ceased. Be careful with the means of accessing the weapon with these devices in that complicated or small zippers may require too much time and fine motor skills to get to your gun. Velcro or a similar material is highly recommended in this application. One favorite and very effective hand carry purse/holster has the carry strap attached to the gun so even if the purse is lost in the scuffle, the gun is not.
Even though off body carry requires a little extra thought, it can be quite effective in carrying concealed.
There are lots of other carry methods that could be fabricated and used that have limited application but are necessary for specific events. I’ll mention a few of the more innovative ones that I have been aware of over the years. One of my favorite federal agencies found the need to attend gyms and sporting events in their investigations, so they fabricated gym bags and racket ball cases to carry and have quick access to their hand guns and submachine guns. Another agency secreted their weapons in their fishing gear when investigating a sport fishing operation that was doing more in their “side business” than their fishing business. Back to the civilian side of things, one of my all time favorites was when a fellow and unnamed gun writer friend of mine who specializes in executive protection landed a job protecting a family who were practicing nudists. He was up to the challenge and managed to maintain a low profile (get your minds out of the gutter) by fabricating a holster out of a folded towel, in order to never be without his sidearm when visiting the beach.
Even though off body carry requires a little extra thought, it can be quite effective in carrying concealed. Choose a method that matches what you are doing when carrying concealed that also allows quick access and recovery as well as retention and you should be all set to meet the challenge.
Simple Is Good!
