One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is constantly talking with like-minded individuals about carrying concealed. You wouldn’t believe some of the crazy things that get brought up when it comes to carrying a firearm in public. Whether it’s figuring out the perfect gun and holster combination for a situation or just talking about your favorite carry positions, it’s never a bad day talking about guns. When it comes to new people carrying, I’ve had some crazy questions for certain situations but I think they can apply to a wide variety of tough situations. Let’s take a deeper dive into some tips for carrying in tough situations.
Beach Carrying
When I first heard people asking about the best way to carry at the beach, I honestly thought it was a joke. Hanging out at a crowded beach while carrying a concealed firearm automatically throws a few red flags for me. First off, you’re in a crowded space typically with a ton of completely unaware individuals. The amount of open space around is typically another fairly big concern since you’ll most likely have a smaller gun. Making long shots with a micro-sized carry gun is not ideal, to say the least. I often talk about the importance of cover or concealment which basically doesn’t exist on the beach. If you absolutely have to carry a concealed firearm while you’re at the beach, size will be your biggest enemy.
It’s extremely tough to carry anything smaller than a micro or sub-compact firearm when you’re shirtless at the beach. Most board shorts or swimsuits have a small leg pocket that you may be able to use to put your firearm in. Anything like an IWB holster is pretty much out of the question since you’ll have no cover garment but that should be fairly obvious. A great alternative is carrying in a fanny pack, but that may ruin your cool dad bod vibe with a fanny pack so use it with caution. You won’t be picking up any women but at least you’ll be safe from bad guys as well as any venereal diseases. In short, if you absolutely have to carry at the beach, keep it small or rock a fanny pack.
What to Do When You Go Swimming
I literally can’t believe I even have to talk about carrying a concealed firearm while swimming but I’ve truly gotten this question twice in my six years of work. If you plan on swimming, I would absolutely 100% advise you to NOT GO SWIMMING WITH YOUR FIREARM! It’s just an all-around bad idea and there’s no reason for it. My friends reading this in coastal states understand the issues with carrying in salt water turning a carry firearm into a nice rusty museum piece real fast. Some don’t know what to do with a firearm if they’re at the beach and decide to hop into the water.
My best advice for this insane question is just plan on walking to your vehicle and putting your gun in a lockable space or lock box if possible. Situations like this make having a good lock box or safe storage system in your vehicle very handy. Most of the entry-level vehicle lock boxes aren’t that expensive and typically will come in handy in certain situations. I can’t believe I even have to write this, but it’s a terrible idea to swim with your firearm so just don’t do it.
Carrying At The Gym
Out of the list so far, carrying at the gym is probably the most understandable and frankly is the most popular question when looking at tough carry spots. Working out in public usually means you’ll have nothing more than a T-shirt and gym shorts on so there isn’t a ton of coverage. Depending on what you do plan on working at the gym, certain carry styles simply won’t work.
This is one of the only times I’ve personally found having belly bands to have a real use. They keep your firearm close to the body while moving around and don’t have the risk of printing near as much as something like an IWB holster. Pocket holsters work well if you just plan on lifting only and not running. As soon as you start running, that pocket holster will be hopping around in your pocket like an ADHD kid with a sugar high so it’s important to look at what you’re doing before picking your carry style.
Overall Thoughts
The common factor between all these situations is the fact it can be tricky carrying a firearm in these situations. In certain scenarios, it’s best to just think ahead and have a plan before you show up. If you feel it’s absolutely necessary to carry a concealed firearm, it’s important to keep size in mind and go as small as you can. Keeping it small will allow you to comfortably carry a firearm while doing the things you love without having to leave it at home. Tiny carry guns are always harder to accurately shoot, but sometimes you just don’t have any other options so it’s important to keep training to keep things fresh in your mind.
What are some of the weirdest places you’ve found yourself carrying a firearm? Have you guys ever met anyone who was really determined to carry a concealed firearm while swimming? Let me know down in the comments below and I can’t wait to hear what some of you guys think of this one. If you have questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeperator. Stay safe out there.
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