Concealed Carry And The Holiday Season – When Waistlines Meet Waistbands, Part I

As a concealed carrier, calories count. An inside the waistband holster with a concealed carry micro-compact or sub-compact pistol is sure to add at least an inch and a quarter to the waistline. When that competes with Aunt May’s turkey, hilarity ensues.

What are some holiday considerations you take as a concealed carrier? There’s more than meets the eye. In this first part of a two part series, we’ll discuss some real things to think about this holiday season — and why it’s best to start planning now.

Fat Shaming The Holster

No one forced that midnight slice of apple pie. It happened on its own. And next day Thanksgiving sandwiches? Delicious but damaging.

Anything that hurts your waistline will also hurt your concealed carry practice. If your trousers are uncomfortable to wear, your trousers plus a holster plus a gun will make for a downright excruciating day.

The easiest thing to do is admit you know yourself. If you typically put on weight during the holiday season — not at all uncommon — then plan for your clothing accordingly. Pants that are normally tight while you’re carrying concealed will be doubly so with your love handles overflowing them. No need to muffin top when you can simply switch into a pair of trousers that accommodate your “winter weight”.

Above all, don’t blame your gun and holster. If you need to, switch down to a micro-compact or sub-compact if you typically carry a compact. Even a change in a half an inch on the waistline can create a much more comfortable situation.

Tips To Win The Battle of the Bulge

• Stick to a diet that accounts for larger-than-average holiday meals.
• If you know you’re going to indulge, plan on wearing pants that are a bit more accommodating.

Don’t Be The Road Warrior

Unfortunately, it’s not like danger takes a holiday. A lot of people feel a heightened sense of stress during the holidays. Mix that with the demands of family, busy occasions, and the rest and there are all of the ingredients for flare ups of things like road rage, heated arguments, and unnecessary conduct.

Any situation you have the opportunity to walk away from is a guaranteed win. There’s no “if”s about it. When you encounter someone who is being overly aggressive, it’s far better to walk or drive away. If you feel threatened — but not in the immediate, lethal variety — call the police and let them deal with it. Those poor souls signed up to deal with every holiday nutjob in their jurisdiction — you didn’t.

Tips to Avoid The Holiday Hassle

• Walk away from an argument
• Don’t pull over to handle crazy, erratic drivers
• Call the police if you feel a situation is truly escalating

Home For The Holidays

If you’re someone who has to travel to see relatives, make sure you bone up on the law before crossing state lines… Even if you follow the philosophy, ‘they can’t stop you if they can’t see you.’

All it takes is one routine traffic stop by a patrolman to turn your holiday season into a lengthy, costly trial.

You’re not the bad guy. You’re not the one who came up with the dumb laws regarding 2A and concealed carry. But you are a responsible citizen. If you have a family, they’re depending on you to be there for them. You can’t afford to get hauled off by the police because you carried a gun across state lines into — for example — New Jersey or New York. Just don’t do it.

Tips For Crossing State Lines While Carrying Concealed

• Know the laws of the state you’re visiting
• Know if that state honors your Right to Carry
• Keep it concealed at all times

In Part II of this article, we’ll discuss a few more factors that every concealed carrier should consider when getting ready for the holiday season. As always, stay safe, keep it concealed, and carry everyday, everywhere.