Get some Training –
Get in a concealed carry class that will teach you the basics. Many people have never had exposure to handguns. Be sure that the Instructor you choose has a vast amount of experience in firearms and firearms training. Your Instructor should be a student of the industry and should be a Concealed Carry aficionado. Sometimes a Law Enforcement background or Military Service is not enough. I have had many of these individuals in my Concealed Carry classes over the years and many of them cannot unload a gun and make it safe without violating one of the rules of gun safety. You must learn the right way from the beginning otherwise you will have to break those bad habits later so that you can safely partake in the Concealed Carry lifestyle.
Learn Gun Safety –
Gun safety is paramount. Gun Safety is simple there are a short set of rules that most Concealed Carry Professionals in the industry follow. You have to learn them from someone who can show you why they matter. Just learning the rules without any reasoning behind it gives you no reference to complete the learning process. I want you to learn the Gun Safety Rules and I want you to be able to relate them the Concealed Carry process.
Laws and Regulations –
I have had many individuals in my class over the years that know the laws and regulations about guns and the carrying of them legally in the State of Colorado. Many of them are surprised about some of the information because they have it wrong. Many times what they have heard from family, friends and the coffee clutch is old information. Much of this information in class deals with GUN LAW. Gun law is the regulations we all have to deal with when we own a gun. Can a gun be in our car? Can it be loaded? Do we have to declare a gun to a Police officer in a traffic stop? Many of these are talked about by people who spread misinformation. You need to know the real scoop. Then there is the use of deadly force. Many experts around the industry like Andrew Branca have important information about the Laws of Self Defense. Andrew’s teachings and Books are considered the gospel when it comes to using a firearm for self-defense. I always give some significant information on this topic and how it applies to Concealed Carry.
Basic Gun Training-
Learning to handle firearms safely. This is done by being shown the proper way and then doing it in class so that you can handle your firearm safely when you leave class. Many accidents in real life happen when administratively handling your firearm. Loading and unloading, transporting to and from shooting and cleaning the firearm. No live ammunition is ever used in any classroom setting. Live ammunition is only a recipe for accidental discharges and injuries that may result. Any good training is going to give you Information for picking a good Concealed Carry Gun. Size of guns, Brands of Guns, Best actions Revolver vs Semi-Auto and the neverending caliber the argument. All of these and more are discussed in my Concealed Carry Class.
Learn to Shoot the Concealed Carry handgun you choose-
learning to shoot the Concealed Carry handgun of your choice is the ultimate goal. Most of the information that I have talked about prior to this is of no use to you if you do not learn to shoot your gun. Most of my students like the way I handle the live-fire training in my courses. I do not do it in large groups. You will be learning the most up-to-date information about shooting and shooting methods.
links to other articles of Interest
Concealed Carry Permit Renewal
Concealed Handgun Definition in Colorado
Intervention With a Concealed Handgun
Having a Sound Self Defense Strategy