Many states have implemented some type of personal protection legislation that allows a citizen who does not have a criminal record and passes certified training to carry a handgun for personal protection. Inevitably, handgun permit holders must decide the best method to carry a handgun for defensive purposes. Traditional fanny packs and holsters for civilians interested in personal safety are long overdue for a change. Many of these systems are cumbersome and risky. They are designed primarily to hold weapons, not secure them from others.

The holster and fanny packs on the market today have three major drawbacks. One is the obvious; why not use all that empty space in them to organize other items I might need? Lethal force is usually not the appropriate option in a confrontation with a potential assailant, yet that is what most fanny packs concentrate on; the gun. What about pepper spray, a flashlight, baton or impact instrument, stun-gun, handcuffs or a kubaton?

The second drawback is the perception that someone with a fanny-pack is likely carrying a concealed weapon. Fanny packs are no longer chic in terms of fashion and popularity. So why would someone have a fanny pack except to carry a concealed weapon?

The third drawback applies to belt systems and holsters as well. Under high stress the body loses many of its fine and complex motor skills. Locating, un-holstering, aiming and firing a handgun require fine, complex motor skills. Many of today’s holsters and holders require people to unzip, tear away, unsnap, rotate, push down or some other combination of movements to retrieve their handgun and other defensive weapons.

For these reasons alone, it seems clear that there is an arguable case for re-thinking how to carry a handgun and other defensive weapons.

The primary considerations (detailed in the full article)

1. Lethal force is not always the appropriate option. What should you do with pepper spray, a flashlight, impact instrument, stun-gun, handcuffs or a kubaton?
2. Fanny-packs are a signal to others you may be carrying a concealed weapon.
3. The waistline is good for defensive strength, but presents risk for retention of weapons.
4. If 20-25% of officer deaths result in an adversary using the officer’s handgun to kill them, and most officers use waistline retention (belt systems and belt holsters) – either the carry system is less than desirable, or training in weapon retention is substandard.
5. Under high stress the body loses many of its complex and fine motor skills. Many methods of carrying require these skills to retrieve the weapon.
6. Smaller frame guns are more easily concealed. Choose a handgun your hand is comfortable with, and one you can shoot with accurately. Choose the cartridge carefully.
7. As few steps as possible should be required to retrieve a handgun or other weapon, and gross motor skills should be utilized. Fine and complex motor skills should be eliminated.
8. The method chosen for carrying defensive weapons, including handguns, should be such that in order to retrieve them requires very little cognitive function.
9. Consider using instinct shooting vs. traditional methods.

Based on these considerations, what is the best method of carrying? 

The Wild Card
Here’s the wild card. What about the weather and your environment? If it is 90 degrees outside, a jacket will become very uncomfortable. Additionally, wearing a jacket or long shirt on a hot day may actually draw attention to you, because it is not normal. Does your schedule require you to be in and out of meetings and buildings all day long? These two elements; weather and environment, will have impact on your carry method. It is impractical and uncomfortable to wear a jacket all day long. When I do take it off, I am wondering if my handgun is in view of others. Knowing that lethal force is statistically unlikely, I also carry some less-than-lethal weapons. If I do need them I will be fumbling around under high stress trying to locate and retrieve them.

I searched for a retention system that would allow me to carry my handgun, pepper spray, impact weapon, kubaton and flashlight in an organized manner. I could not find one, so I designed one myself, considering all the factors outlined in this article. It looks like a book cover, or business portfolio, with several zippers. Inside, I had several pockets sewed in with Velcro tabs to secure my handgun and other less-than-lethal weapons. I have taken this into virtually every environment; from the bar to the boardroom, without raising suspicion or concern. Everything I need is within arms reach by unzipping one zipper; and it is all in front of me. I am not reaching into a pocket or behind my back fumbling with some type of retention holster. See it here.

If you have the legal ability to carry a handgun, please consider these principles carefully as you decide how it will be carried.

This is a condensed version of the article. Read full text at Assault Prevention Blog.