When someone you spend a lot of time with has a concealed carry permit and chooses to carry, it’s important to understand the reasoning and the safety around that decision. People who choose to concealed carry aren’t only doing it for their own safety, but for those around them as well. You are as active a participant in your partner concealed carrying as they are.
When Drew and I first started dating, he shared with me that if we were together, I should expect that he would be carrying a firearm unless we were out drinking. As a police officer, Drew has received training so I’ve never felt worried or uncomfortable about this choice but I know that there are plenty of people who concealed carry who might not have that level of training.
Tips for Dating Someone with a Concealed Carry Permit
- Have a plan in place for what to do if they need to use their firearm.
- Be aware of where the gun is at all times.
- Communicate openly early on in your relationship about how you feel about them choosing to concealed carry.
- Practice, go to a range and learn about the gun. If you understand it better, you may feel more comfortable.
It’s not easy to obtain a concealed carry permit. First you have to take a class to learn the laws and you then need to demonstrate you understand them. After the class you must apply with your local agency, usually through a county sheriff’s office. It’s not a small decision to concealed carry. When you or your partner do concealed carry, you need to make sure your family and friends understand how that choice could impact them.
There are many areas that, regardless of a concealed carry permit, guns are not allowed, so understanding these laws are critical. If a building has written signage stating guns are not allowed, it is not recommended to carry here or into that building. Beyond that the only ability someone may use a firearm is if there is an immediate and imminent danger to themselves or in the defense of others. This creates a legal grey area, so again understanding the laws is incredibly important. It’s a very personal decision and regardless of if you support firearms or not, understanding the logic is important.
The first thing to know when spending time with someone who carries is understanding what to do if something were to happen and they need to use their firearm. This was one of the very first conversations Drew had with me early on in our relationship. If you are with someone who concealed carries, ask what and how they would like you to react if something were to happen. For us, the rule is that I need to pay attention closely to what he is wearing and get to safety as far in the opposite direction as possible. As soon as is safe, I need to call the authorities and tell them that an off-duty officer is a wearing X and and what the situation is at hand. This is for both his safety and mine, and allows responding officers to have all the information at their disposal.
There are a wide variety of nuances to concealed carrying. Finding a solution that works for the person carrying the gun is the most important factor. Most concealed carry clothing is bulky and boxy to hide a holster properly, but it doesn’t have to be. As a woman, if I am going to carry, I want to keep the gun on my body and not in a handbag that I could be separated from. This makes choosing clothing I would wear when carrying a bit of a challenge.
When I first learned of the concealed carry line at Cinch I was excited to see how they fit and what might work best for both myself and Drew. Cinch is typically known for western wear but there are a ton of options in their lines that will fit any style.
For Drew, the Men’s Black Bonded Concealed Carry Jacket is the perfect solution for keeping his firearm close when weather is less than optimal. In Denver most winter days require only a medium weight jacket, so this is the ideal option for the cooler months.
The interior pocket includes a velcro holster, so accessing a firearm is a lot easier than trying to reach past a jacket into a waistband or pocket holster. The jacket features concealed chest pockets on both sides, allowing the wearer to be either right or left handed.
Cinch offers a wide line of concealed carry jackets and vests for men in different weights and styles, making it easy to find one that best suits the man in your life.
As I mentioned before, choosing concealed carry clothing for myself is a bit more difficult. Most women’s pants don’t even have pockets let alone are loose fitting enough for a waistband holster.
The ladies version of the Concealed Carry Bonded Jacket is a great solution to my problem. Just like the men’s version, a velcro holster keeps a handgun easily accessible in a front pocket. The jacket is shaped for a women’s body, keeping fashion top of mind and making it a perfect closet staple during the fall and winter.
Both jackets are wind and rain resistant, so from a hiking trail to a day out at the park, its possible to be stylish, warm and easily carry if you choose. Cinch is a Colorado Based brand and has been creating high quality jeans, jackets and clothing for over 10 years.
For me, I know that there are many many many situations where a gun would never ever be necessary for my safety. Having the ability to have that tool at my disposal doesn’t hurt as long as I follow the laws, rules and safety features of that decision. We ultimately live in a scary world and being safe is much better than being sorry. I can only hope and pray that there would never be a situation that a firearm would be required, but I choose to be prepared just in case.
Disclaimer: I received product samples to facilitate this post. All photos, thoughts and opinions are my own. This post uses amazon affiliate links throughout. Any purchases made using those links support the creation of this blog.
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