Carrying Concealed For The Holidays – Part II

In Part I of this article, we discussed a couple considerations for everyday concealed carriers. These topics ranged from dealing with extra weight to staying away from crazy holiday situations.

In this part, we’ll get a bit more close to the home:

• How to deal with relatives that don’t carry concealed (or like guns)
• How to handle Black Friday shopping experiences (and businesses that don’t allow concealed carry)
• Why carrying concealed over the holidays is more important now than ever before

So, pour yourself that extra cup of eggnog, scratch off that to-do list, and grab an extra magazine — we’re in for a whole lot of holiday cheer.

How To Deal With Anti-Gun Relatives

It’s bound to happen. There’s someone in the family that believes guns are literally the worst thing ever to happen to civilization and if we could just throw away all the guns, they would stop existing.

Here’s the easiest way to deal with relatives who want to mix their political philosophy in with the mashed potatoes: don’t.

It’s no use.

Decline to discuss. It’s not cowardice or fear of facts or information. It’s an acknowledgement that about certain points, there will be no agreement. The very best thing you can do is be a responsible gun owner.

They’re going to bombard you with lots of very subjective figures like, “oh, do you know how many people die from guns in the UK? Like five. I read it on Facebook.”

Sure, you could point out the increasing number of public, violent acts happening in the UK right now… Or that you can’t even carry a knife in the UK but you can sure as heck get stabbed by one… Or how most of the gun-related injuries originate from places where the gun laws are strictest… Or any number of arguments that would frame the information in a more favorable form. But that’s not what they’re looking for. Ultimately, most people who have subscribed to a firm anti-gun philosophy simply want to hear, “oh, is that so? Wow! You’re so right. I’m melting down my gun tomorrow.”

Your safety. Your responsibility. Your choice.

Furthermore, you don’t need to justify your views to anyone other than yourself. If you’re interested in debating a topic or point, stick to logic and verifiable facts. Keep it civil. Know when you’ve hit your limit (or the other person has hit theirs).

Stick to your guns — stick to your arguments.

How To Handle Black Friday Holiday Shopping — And Businesses That Are Anti-Concealed Carry

The easiest solution to handle businesses that do not accept concealed carry: don’t.

If a business decides that they want to make a point to prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves while shopping inside their stores, they don’t need your business. Shop elsewhere.

Most malls are a fantastic example of this. Quite a few malls have a firm “no weapons policy” (whatever that means). That means it doesn’t matter if you have a license or permit to carry a concealed firearm, you’re theoretically not allowed on the property.

Now, a lot of concealed carriers will simply say, “meh, they won’t see it and I don’t care.”

That’s well and good until an enterprising Paul Blart decides he’s going to make it an issue. Even if we don’t dwell on the wilder end of possibilities, it’s just bad practice to allow a business to operate in a harmful capacity. And that’s what this is. Telling customers that they don’t have the right to take responsibility for their own protection is tantamount to saying the business is unwilling to accept responsibility for your safety.

Why Carrying Concealed Over The Holidays Is More Important Than Ever

It’s not the bad news pouring through the television screen or the endless tirade of violent events gripping the media’s attention. It has nothing to do with something you wear or give or feel. We live in a world that can change at any point in time, for any reason. There are no guarantees — especially about safety.

By your decision to carry a gun concealed, you’re choosing to take responsibility for yourself and those around you. It’s a very important decision. If taken seriously, it also shows how much you love and care for those around you.

Even if your little niece wants to debate gun politics before the turkey gets out of the oven or Aunt May decides 2 am is a great time to bring you to the mall for Black Friday, your family is important to you. As a concealed carrier, you are with them to defend them and yourself.

It’s an important reminder of why we carry concealed. And it’s why we carry everywhere we can, every day.