Jan Wolbrecht, Author at Incognito Wear IX ⋆ Page 20 of 35

Is this THE YEAR? Learn from my mistakes #121 – Don’t let your license expire!

by Jan Wolbrecht | Jan 31, 2020 | Uncategorized

WHAT ?! It’s expired?! Do you need to renew your concealed carry license or perhaps even a driver’s license? Let me make a suggestion, Don’t wait till the last minute! (We’ll outline the process if you’re applying for your first CCWP (Concealed Carry Weapons Permit).

Do you know when your license expires? Any license for that matter, whether it’s your drivers’ license, concealed carry weapons permit, fishing and hunting, or maybe even a membership to your favorite destination.

I have noticed for one, that the older I become, the faster the years go by. In fact, it’s nearly the second month of a new decade – Already!

I remember thinking 2020 is SO FAR AWAY. Well, honey, it’s here now. What that mean means for me is renewing my drivers license and concealed carry permit. We all get busy and life happens. It’s easy to get de-railed and sidetracked with those well-meaning items on your To-Do List.

These, however, are definitely two items you don’t want to wait till the last minute to renew.

Here, in Georgia for my driver’s license renewal requires getting a list of supporting documents together BEFORE going to the DDS (Dept. of Driver Services, formerly known as the DMV -Dept. of Motor Vehicles). These items MUST be presented in order to renew your license. You need one of the documents for each of category:

To show WHO you are: Certified US birth certificate; valid US Passport; or Certificate of Naturalization
SSN: Social Security card; W-2 form; Paystub with last 4 (SSN)
To show WHERE you live: Utility bill; band statement; Lease/Mortgage statement

In Georgia, you can get a driver license for a period of ten years, it’s might slip your mind when it is actually time to renew.

In my opinion, equally as important (as driver’s license) is your concealed carry license. Some might argue that it is more important than being able to drive. Your life is worth fighting for and saving.

In Georgia, my concealed carry weapons permit (as it’s called) is valid for a period of five years.

There many names for a permit to conceal a firearm as well as abbreviations. Some of the most common ones are below; although you may see any variety or configuration of these words.

CCW = Carrying a Concealed Weapon CC = Concealed Carry

CWP = concealed weapons permit CCP = Concealed Carry Permit

CWL = Concealed Weapons License CFP = Concealed Firearms Permit
CPL = Concealed Pistol License CHL = Concealed Handgun License

The guidelines are a bit different for everyone, depending on where you live, but here’s some of the basics. Generally, the process is the same for renewing as it is for applying for your first concealed carry license. First off, the obvious – you must be of age, not a felon, domicile in the county of the facility (you can’t go to one county’s probate court when you live in another). Many facilities require cash only, so call your local (County probate) court and they’ll be happy to let you know what’s required.

So, we’ve established meet the guidelines to enact your Second Amendment right to bear arms.

File your application at a county probate court*. Some states require you compete a training class (some sort of a basic handgun safety class)prior to your application and you will need proof of completion to show the courts. Your probate court will list the acceptable documents, if required. Expect to pay an application fee. Once you’ve answered all the questions, you’ll get a Law Enforcement Affidavit which you will need to take to the police department.
If this is a new application for concealed carry, you will be fingerprinted. This is for the background check. If you’re renewing your license, they will electronically conduct a background check of your name via NCIC system. If fingerprints are taken, yes, you pay for that service.
Now you wait…. And wait. There is a timeline guideline, but in my county it’s questionable if they are successful. So, if you’re inside of two months of your expiration date, I’d suggest requesting a temporary license. I don’t trust the government to get issue my license in time and don’t want to be with a means to protect my life, or others.
Once everything is completed, typically around six weeks, you’ll receive your concealed carry license. You can either pick up your CCW license at the courthouse or they can mail it to you. Some facilities request a self-addressed stamp envelope to do this. *if your county requires a SASE, leave it at probate court with your application.

Now you know what to expect, don’t forget to take your (valid) photo ID.

Welcome to the concealed carry parliament! (Incognito Wear IX animal totem is an owl; a group of owls is called a parliament).

Jump start your safety lifestyle by Downloading our safety tips!

Remember to train and practice. Practice builds confidence and muscle memory. If you ever need to use your firearm, you want your body to know what to do. See our past blog where we list some women only resources.

Learn From My Mistakes – Overcoming objections to learning to shoot – #120

by Jan Wolbrecht | Jan 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

Home

It’s a new year and you’ve decided to be responsible – responsible for your life and your safety. You’ve decided the fear of losing life is greater than the fear of learning how to shoot a firearm- safely and to learn about firearms in general.
Let me congratulate you again on this big step! Please know you are not alone in this journey. There are several resources out there, no matter where you are on the journey. We are always learning new skills and perfecting old ones.
Were you using the excuse that ‘my husband is my protector’ – “he’ll save me”. When I started leaving the house before him going to an office in a remote business complex, he said it’s time I learned how to shoot and carry (a gun)… for MY own SAFETY!

At this point in my life, my kids were out of the house, but I can assure you that if they were younger and at home, knowing what I know now, I’d learned how to shoot much earlier than I did. Thank goodness for my husband’s suggestion and encouragement! Is your significant other ‘pushing’ (i.e. encouraging) you to carry?

One other excuse we may tell ourselves is, that I don’t live or go to bad area(s) of town. Has this thought kept you from learning to shoot? Do you really think for one minute, that there isn’t a bad area of town, anywhere? Unfortunately, I have to say “Not in this day and age”. That may have been true once upon a time, but sadly, it ain’t the truth no more. Unfortunately, the news has a revolving headline of bad, evil people doing bad, evil acts everywhere… even in church (White Settlement, Tx).

The point being is that your odds aren’t zero (of something happening to you or someone you know). Isn’t it better to be prepared; have a plan and a means in which to protect yourself no matter where you go or live?
This doesn’t mean you have to choose a firearm for protection. There are other non-lethal options, but you should learn how to use whatever device you pick. Some of these non-lethal tools might be a striking tool/pen, pepper spray, stun gun, or a taser (check with state laws as taser guns aren’t legal in every state).

It is a fact that you are responsible for every bullet that leaves your muzzle and I can understand that is a scary thought should you actually have to draw your weapon as a defense and the fear that you might not hit your target. No matter if you believe your husband is a better shot, when it comes to stress (unless training under stress) we really don’t know how we’ll respond.
With some forethought, planning and even training, if both you are armed, you both are able to defend. You double your powers of observation, information processing and defense.
Don’t fall into this thinking: “What are the chances that….and I don’t want to live/think being paranoid.”It is practical, intelligent and necessary to consider that bad things might happen. In fact, many use Coopers color system of awareness. Think about how you plan for emergencies in other areas of your life. These days no one leaves home without their cell phone, why? Ok, so you don’t want to miss any news but isn’t it also for safety? In case of flat tire, you get lost or a true emergency. Think of it this way, you don’t expect to have a kitchen fire but I bet you have a fire extinguisher nearby so why not apply this same reasoning to yourself and your safety?

Resources: Women’s Concealed Carry Alliance, A Girl and A Gun, The Well-Armed Woman, and your local range

WITH GRATITUDE

by Jan Wolbrecht | Jan 5, 2020 | Uncategorized

LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES… Learning to be Grateful

A new decade dawns.
Say good-bye to 2019 – HELLO 2020!

Gratitude can soothe the soul. Gratitude helps remind yourself of the things that truly matter, for us at Incognito Wear IX, we are grateful for YOU! “Thank you” for all the support you’ve shown us this past year.

The Christmas season has a way of making me filled with gratitude and hope, and big dreams for 2020. It’s going to be a big year!…Politically and otherwise.

A “Gratitude List” is a wonderful way to shift the focus off of self and on to others. At the core of Incognito Wear IX, is you. We want to walk beside you on your concealed carry journey. Carrying on body does change your wardrobe and we give you clothing to empower you.

As we forge this new decade, let us not forget to be grateful for the 2nd Amendment and the right to defend yourself. However, we better stand up and fight to keep it.

I’m Grateful, that Women are the fastest growing demographic in the firearm industry! I’m grateful to know we’re not alone in this!

I’m grateful for the gift of creativity. I need your feedback to develop better solutions in concealment clothing to help others as they come beside us. Don’t you agree, It’s better to have a weapon to defend yourself and not need it; than to need one and have No way to defend yourself.

We’re Grateful you found us and to be able to create women’s concealed carry clothing that let’s you feel feminine, confident, armed while remaining incognito. These are the things that are on my list that I’ll focus on this year. Along with being grateful for each of you, this years goal is to be more grateful for my life, for my children, still hoping to hear from my oldest child (it’s been nearly 14 yrs) and to focus more on my health.

Let’s reap the many benefits of making and reflecting on a Gratitude List. They say it can actually put you in a better mood and increase your energy. I can’t wait for that!

So, Let’s start this year off right. Let’s start our list by being grateful for what we DO have in our lives. I’m looking to develop a stronger feeling of connection to and solidarity with you, and our Second Amendment community.

Experts say, the act of making a Gratitude List will improve your outlook on life, will give you benefits such as less anxiety and better sleep. (I find knowing how to shoot, and having a firearm and the ability to defend myself does as well).

Thank you for letting us be a part of your life. Let us know what you’d like to know more of.
We are so Grateful for you and your support and want to give you more of what you need.

BE GRATEFUL not only for THIS SEASON, but all year. Keeping you armed in style & Incognito!

Hope your New Year it the best ever! Here’s to 2020

XO,
Jan
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Black Friday Dangers and Mistakes – Learn from these lessons #116

by Jan Wolbrecht | Dec 3, 2019 | Uncategorized

Black Friday shopping marked with bomb threats, shooting incident, multiple stabbings

Would you ever expect this to happen on the busiest shopping day of the year?

You may have heard about these stories, all or some of them, and they are tragic, but could it have been prevented?

Black Friday has been a family tradition for years! For us, Thanksgiving is more about making a Christmas shopping list than about the turkey! Excitement builds as sisters strategize about who’s going in which direction (of town) and to which stores. We’ve divided up to concur the best deals and the most savings. So much anticipation about the best shopping day of the year!

Until something like this happens…. and it can happen anywhere!

Out of nowhere, in the midst of the crowd comes a scream, people running everywhere, pure PANIC! A knife attack, threat with a bomb or shots fired.

It’s scary! Absolutely frightening! and it’s the last thing you thought would EVER happen to you or around you. So, it begs the question, would this be as scary IF you had a way to protect yourself and loved ones? A way for you to fight back. Even though, the thought of having a loaded weapon on your body may be somewhat scary in itself, or what if you had pepper spray, a personal alarm, your own knife, a taser or stun gun? How would you feel about being in that situation now?

Others are uncontrollable. The who, where and how is what the advantage the criminal has, but neither is the criminal thinking that there may be a ‘fight’ reaction to his harmful plan of attack.

Such is the lifestyle for self reliance, being your own defender and first responder. Becoming familiar with devices for self protection, whether it be non lethal (Damsel in Defense offers many types of self defense tools and can be ordered through my Damsel Pro page) or lethal, there’s something for anyone willing to invest in themselves. We all just have to start the journey to save our lives.

Unfortunately, crime seems to lurk ‘just around the corner’. Don’t be a victim, become situational aware and remove the likelihood of being the opportunity a thief would be looking for.

If you’re interested in learning about firearms for self defense, there are several women organization to look into: A girl and A Gun or The Well Armed Woman, as well as checking with your local range. Some local police departments sponsor self defense classes free of charge.

Stay safe, armed and incognito!

Family Thanksgiving

by Jan Wolbrecht | Nov 19, 2019 | Uncategorized

Can you believe it’s this time of the year already! We are preparing for our holidays sales events – the best of the year!

We wish you the best as you come together with family and friends to celebrate your traditions and maybe start new ones. I come from a fairly large family of three sisters. It’s hard getting family together some times, and traveling can add on stress. This year, our “core family” tradition is melding to accommodate the growing extended family – adding a son in law and grandchildren.

A favorite tradition for my sister and I was spreading out the Thanksgiving Day paper and making our Christmas lists.

As we got older, The Thanksgiving Day paper became our shopping list for Christmas. My sister’s and I would develop a plan ,going in opposite directions or different anchor big box stores, and help each other get the coveted holiday toy And, the best BLACK FRIDAY DEALS AND DOOR BUSTERS to save money!

If you Sign up for our emails, you won’t miss out on any specials this holiday season. We have some great gift ideas and prices you’ll love.

Weekly promos will be coming your way! Follow us on our social platforms too!

and a true BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER MONDAY SALE – 4 days only on our Lion+Lamb best selling women’s concealed carry top.

This holiday season you’ll be the best dressed and armed!

RE- defining Concealed carry clothing. Incognito Wear IX.