Firearms and related subjects are a daily encounter for any avid Concealed Carrier. One particular situation you might have to face sooner or later is introducing your significant other or family members into your world of firearms, ammunition, and late nights scrolling through the internet looking for the latest and greatest deals and new innovations of the Concealed Carry community. Any true Concealed Carrier will admit, we’re a tight knit group of people, even if we might not always agree on certain topics. We all have the same goal in mind: To continue our right to defend ourselves and our families.
However, those new to our lives, such as significant others or friends and family members might not share our passion of firearms and daily carry. So how do we introduce someone new to our lives to our daily carry habits and various firearms throughout the home? I come from a family of avid 2nd Amendment supporters, so that wasn’t an issue. However my current and permanent significant other was completely new to the firearms world. My girlfriend knew of my particular affection for all things firearms related. It didn’t come as a surprise to her, considering my military career at the time. She herself had never so much as touched a firearm until I introduced her to one.
First off, before even considering stepping outside to the range, we spent a good part of the afternoon going over safety. I let her handle an empty firearm, just to feel the weight and get familiar with it. We ran through the functions and parts. I let her rack the slide and dry fire the firearm, teaching her how to work the safety. All the while covering the four firearms safety rules we as every day Concealed Carriers have ingrained in our minds:
1. All firearms are always loaded
2. Never point the firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond the target.
After allowing her to become comfortable with the firearm and handling it, we moved out onto the range for some practice. Again, we covered safety first. I allowed her to observe the actions of loading, chambering, orienting on the target and taking aim, and finally firing. After she watched for a while, I eventually allowed her to do the same once she was comfortable. For a first-timer, she became quite comfortable with the firearm and handling it. I was proud of her. She wasn’t scared or overly nervous about shooting a firearm for the first time. She learned well and paid attention to safety, which is always important for a first time shooter.
To this day she still won’t allow me to purchase a firearm specifically for her, or take steps to get her concealed carry permit, much to my dislike. However I’m still working on that subject. It’s her decision ultimately, but I know I’d feel better if she carried with a firearm she was proficient at using.
Even though I was lucky my girlfriend was so receptive to wanting to learn, some aren’t so fortunate. The question still remains; how do you orient a new addition to your life with your firearms and habit of daily carry? My suggestion would be, tactfully and carefully. If your significant other isn’t familiar with what the 2nd Amendment entails and has Mom’s Demand Action liked on their Facebook page, you may want to proceed with caution when it comes to introducing them into your world of Concealed Carry. However if you feel they could be receptive and open-minded with the fact that you carry a loaded firearm on a daily basis; then by all means start the conversation off slow and easy. Test the waters on their opinions of firearms and civilian carry. If the conversation moves into a positive area, then you may be on the right track in introducing them further into the Concealed Carry world.
Some may choose to keep their significant other in the dark about their carry habits; however as things progress, safety can be a concern when involving a loaded firearm. If this person becomes a permanent part of your life, I feel it necessary to at least familiarize them with the firearms in your home. I’m not suggesting you give them the combination to your safe; but if you’re in the habit of leaving your carry firearm out and accessible or other home defense firearm by the bed at night, they should at least know the basic functions for safety purposes.
It’s a touchy subject whenever introducing someone new in your life to your world of firearms. It could go either way, really. Some may look at you like a paranoid fanatic. I know I’ve been subjected to my fair share of criticism when informing new friends or coworkers of my daily carry habits if the subject comes up in conversation. I’ve learned to simply keep my mouth shut most of the time if I feel the conversation going south. Many people will never understand the purpose or need for those of us that decide to carry. Where some would call us paranoid, I call us prepared.
It’s your choice when and how you decide to introduce your significant other into our close knit circle. I can only offer my advice to do so carefully and safely, understand that everyone started somewhere. Don’t push your beliefs and opinions onto them in an overbearing manner. Let them come to their own conclusion through facts and experiencing firearms on their own accord. If they are open to accompanying you to a day at the range, then by all means do so. Just remember to do so safely and remain patient and understanding in their learning process. It could be in your hands if they choose to continue to pursue their experience with firearms; or are turned off completely.
