»ADVERSITY IS SOMETIMES DEFINED AS A STATE OF HARDSHIP OR misfortune, or perhaps living in an antagonistic environment where danger is real and resources are limited. There are many levels of adversity, ranging from the mildly irritating to the life-or-death, and we constantly negotiate these adverse conditions. An individual who carries a concealed handgun must factor these additional concerns into the equation.
Before delving into the specifics of the adversity we might face, we must address some basic questions. The answers to these questions will serve as the foundation for formulating a solid plan that covers most conceivable conditions. Our plan must be flexible, simply because we can never anticipate every possible scenario that might confront us.
Flexibility and simplicity are paramount in formulating a plan that will have the highest likelihood of success. A plan can get complicated very quickly, and the more “moving parts” in our plan, the greater the chance one of those parts will fail.
It’s worth reviewing a few basic tenets as we lay out a course of action.
Choose Wisely
Foremost is why we’ve made the decision to carry concealed in the first place. If it’s “because I can,” that’s fine, but we still need to think through the practical, legal and perhaps moral implications that would no doubt arise were the firearm(s) in question ever put to use.
What to carry has so many variables that it could be a standalone topic by itself. You arrive at the bottom line by answering the question, “Does it fit the application?” There might be more to this than you realize. For instance, the caliber controversy is an undying topic. Consider whether a .380 ACP or a 2-inch snubby in .38 Special would be a good choice when packing through a wilderness area where there are big four-legged critters that view humans as just another meal.
A prudent person will select a handgun that can be used as easily with one hand as with two.
Conversely, carrying a single-action revolver with a 7.5-inch barrel chambered in .44 Magnum down to the corner store for a loaf of bread might not be the best option for the application either. If we had a crystal ball, we could prepare ahead of time for adverse conditions, but since we don’t, compromise is in order. Make your decision on likelihoods rather than a broad array of remote possibilities.
Other important decisions involve the size of the gun compared to the size of the hand that will be using it. One-handed operation is often overlooked in many training regimens, but understand that real-world gun use will likely occur in a very fluid environment as opposed to shooting on a range in a specific stance at a stationary target using two hands.
A prudent person will select a handgun that can be used as easily with one hand as with two, even training with the support hand in case the strong hand becomes injured or is otherwise occupied. Adversity can sometimes put us in unimaginable situations that test our equipment and our ability to use it.
Along with hand size goes the size and shape of the individual carrying the gun. Big people can generally carry bigger guns than people of smaller stature. That said, the shape of the person tells a lot about the specific locations that are feasible for concealed carry. Again, some basic tenets will go a long way in helping you decide where and how to carry a concealed handgun in any given situation.
Fighting Fit
When carrying in a known adverse situation, the two basics of concealed carry — comfort and convenience — might have to be compromised a bit. That’s not to say overlooked, especially on the comfort side, but the best choices might not be the most convenient.
Ease of access tops the list. I want to know that I can immediately produce the gun from concealment when I need to, without having to dig through layers of clothing or gear I’m carrying because of the unusually adverse condition. I also need the ability to stealthily access the gun (and equally as stealthily put it back where it came from) without drawing unnecessary attention to my actions. Although controversial in some minds, I believe that it is just as important to access the gun and be able to reholster it with one hand if the situation de-escalates to where it is no longer needed.
The road to preparedness is perpetual and ever-evolving.
Weapon retention is another consideration, especially in crowded environments where physical contact or confrontation with unfriendly individuals or groups is a strong possibility. Keep that in mind when considering off-body or ankle carry, as those methods are hard to defend when you’re assaulted by multiple attackers.
In focusing on the retention of your handgun, think about where the hands and arms have the most power and function in the most efficient manner. We all have different ranges of motion and degrees of flexibility. Working within those parameters, being honest with ourselves (and a little trial and error) will help find what’s going to work best for each situation.
These points are a lot to digest all at once, but understand they are points to consider. The road to preparedness is perpetual and ever-evolving, which requires a revision in planning now and again as time passes.
Big Problems
Many of us sometimes think of “adversity” in the sense of “confrontation,” such as being outnumbered by a group intent on doing harm to anyone who gets in its way. The best plan for such a situation is not to be there in the first place. The best way to win a fight is not to be in a fight in the first place. But in today’s environment of social unrest, confrontation is becoming a distinct possibility, especially in heavily populated areas. Keep in mind that, under such a circumstance, you might not be the only one with a gun, and I doubt that you have a signifier for all to see proclaiming that you are a “good guy.” The whole thing could go sideways on you in an instant.
Another concern that is rarely addressed when carrying concealed in large crowds is the proverbial pickpocket. One very large police agency with which I have worked mandated that all of their plainclothes detectives and undercover operatives have multiple security devices on their holsters because of the professionally trained pickpockets targeting individuals thought to have weapons. If these criminals are bold enough to target cops, how do you think you and your method of concealed carry might fare?
Storm’s A-Brewing
Weather and environmental conditions can play a major role in providing many of us a good dose of adversity. It is likely that, at any given time in this country, families are being forced from their homes by wildfires started by arsonists, carelessness or Mother Nature. The situation might change in an instant with a wind shift, making it necessary to grab what you can and leave before it’s too late. In a case like this, taking a long gun with you for protection and perhaps anchoring something to eat just might be the smart thing to do. When the risk is losing everything you own, your selection of armament and how it is carried and used becomes a high priority.
Flooding presents a similar degree of adversity with the addition of one critical factor concerning firearms: moisture. Moisture promotes rust and corrosion, which should influence which guns you carry with you (especially when there is a very high likelihood that they, along with you, are going to get wet). As with wildfires, you might or might not lose everything you own, but rest assured, it will be days or weeks before you are able to check on the remains of what’s left. What you evacuate with in the way of firearms, holsters and ammunition must have high resistance to moisture-related effects and other adverse conditions.
When I was growing up, the Boy Scout motto was “Be Prepared.” That’s good advice for all of us to follow, especially when faced with adversity.
Unlike fires, rain and cold influence the way we dress. This might — and probably should — change our method of concealed carry in order to maintain concealment with accessibility, retention and recovery.
In any and all of these examples of adverse conditions, along with your preferred weapon and holster, you should also be carrying, at a minimum, spare ammunition, a knife and a flashlight.
For the times when you might have to leave the castle, a “go-bag,” containing the essentials to survive as comfortably as possible for a few days, is a good idea.
Family members who might be involved in any of these adverse, worst-case scenarios should be made aware of your plan ahead of time. They should be equipped with their own survival tools — along with the training and practice necessary to use them. There is no guarantee that any one of us will be available to help others 100 percent of the time.
When I was growing up, the Boy Scout motto was “Be Prepared.” That’s good advice for all of us to follow, especially when faced with adversity.
