Perusing the internet the other day I came across "How to Start Carrying as a Woman" by Grace Torrence. It is one of these articles that can be summed up as "don't listen to men because women are special." And it is encapsulated in this one sentence from the article: "Beginning this journey is a process, and it's one that looks different for women."
How does it look different?
Self doubts? Not really. She talks about concerns of whether the weapon was printing, whether she chose the right clothing, and whether it was safe (presumably to carry a loaded weapon). Men also have these concerns which is widely discussed by trainers, bloggers, and those commenting on gun boards.
Comfort? Also no. She relates: "It was just the holster. I was testing my wardrobe and getting used to the feeling of something on my body… and it was still uncomfortable." Yeah, no kidding. I went through several holsters (and firearms) the first several years I was carrying before I found a combination that was reasonably comfortable and which I was confident did not print and yet provided good access. And it will continue to be an issue should you change your holster/firearm or use a different method of carry.
It feeling strange? A hard no. She writes: "I was comfortable at the range and I trusted myself with a firearm, but carrying one on my body in everyday life felt completely different." No kidding.
Confidence in a set up? Sorry, that also is common between men and women. Torrence states:
It took time to trust my setup and figure out what actually worked for me. Now, many years later, I have confidence and trust in my setup. I’ve learned how to dress around my firearm while still keeping my personal style, and I continue to learn and develop my systems as a woman that carries daily.
Not only did it take me several years to figure out what worked for me, but it has continued to evolve in the decades since. Everyone has to learn how to dress around the gun. If there is any difference, it probably is that men have less options than women on how they can dress in professional environments.
Torrence also laments:
You may receive well-intentioned advice such as “get the largest firearm you can conceal…”, “just wear bigger and baggier clothes…”, and “get a small firearm.” The reality is that this is outdated thinking and doesn’t actually help us feel confident in our decision to start carrying a firearm.
I'm not sure how this is different from men, unless it is that people are more willing to give women advice but don't really care enough to do the same for men. (Most of the "advice" I received was from reading articles on concealed carry). And complaining of being advised to "get a small firearm" is pretty rich coming from someone who settled on the P365X as her carry gun. Likewise, how is "just wear bigger and baggier clothes" any different from the author's advice for carrying at the 3 o'clock or 5 o'clock position: "It can still work with the right outfit, especially if you’re wearing a looser outer layer that helps cover the firearm."
She then covers issues like being aware of state laws and obtaining the necessary permits. Since I'm not aware of any jurisdiction that excludes men from also having to obey the law and obtain required permits, I'm not sure that this supports her thesis that there is something different or special about women.
She recommends training first, including trying out different firearms, before buying. That would be good advice for anyone new to concealed carry. She also adds: "The most important thing to remember throughout this process is that carrying is a responsibility, not an accessory." But there are men who fail to understand the legal and moral responsibilities of carrying a firearm everyday, and looking at some of the gun YouTubers, there are definitely some that seem to think of their firearm as a fashion accessory or marker of status.
In choosing a firearm for concealed carry, she complained:
The most common thing I heard was “Get the largest firearm you can still conceal.” This advice is likely based on the premise that larger firearms are typically easier to shoot because their mass may better absorb recoil. I followed that advice, and within a few months I sold that firearm. Not because it was bad, but because it wasn’t right for me.
But that bit of advice is spouted off to all concealed carriers, not just women. At least once a week I come across it or its sibling maxim that "concealed carry is supposed to be comforting not comfortable." And I agree that it is anathema to good concealed carry practice because following those sayings results in your being less likely to carry a firearm regularly or for those quick trips to the gas station or convenience store. (I would also note that such advice generally comes from those who have a background in law enforcement and/or the military and, therefore, come to concealed carry thinking in offensive, rather than defensive, terms).
She then wades into the 9mm versus .380 ACP debate and concludes:
The bottom line is that for concealed carry, the caliber debate matters less than we think. What actually matters is whether you can shoot it well, train with it consistently, and feel comfortable and confident carrying it. Everything else is just noise.
Again, that is good advice for both men and women.
Torrence then discusses carry positions and holsters. However, other than the possibility of "bra carry" I didn't see anything different from the advice that would be given to men.
She concludes with a some good advice on acclimating to concealed carry and common beginner mistakes. Yet even with my long background in concealed carry, I tend to try out a new holster around the house and yard, doing different tasks, in order to see if its is comfortable and will work out for me, although it is typically just a day or two rather than 30 days. But I figure a good day where I clean gutters, do yard work or other chores, crawl under a car, etc., will probably give me the information I need on whether a holster will work for me.
In short, this is a solid article for someone of either sex getting into concealed carry. But, other than the option of bra carry, the process is not one that looks different for women versus men. That is just marketing hype. Like a pink pistol.
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