I bring this up to emphasize how important gun safety is to understand and to practice it ALL THE TIME!
This is a tragedy and please keep cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ family in your prayers.
I feel like this is a good time to re evaluate my (and perhaps) your mindset. I believe this is at the core of making the decision to carry a firearm for self protection.
Are you mentally and emotionally prepared to pull the trigger if your life is threatened or another?
Don’t brush over this decision without some soul searching. If it’s not for you, you should know that (and if that’s you, it’s completely fine! No judgement here!).
Now would be the opportunity to chose another means for self defense (check out my Damsel in Defense site)
So, if you’re on board with the mental and emotional aspects of this decision and you carry, do you also carry some sort of shooters’ insurance?
This is basically insurance to help with the legal ramifications and legal assistance (this is another blog story to write).
If you don’t know about this type of insurance, now is a good time to study up on why and how it can help you should you ever have to draw your firearm.
find some time to explore (or re visit) your reasons for carrying self defense tools, whether it’s non-lethal or lethal.
Given our current social intolerance in culture, rise in crime rates, and the decline of consequences for breaking the law; one’s likelihood of an encounter some sort of scenario is, unfortunately, on the rise.
It’s my goal at Incognito Wear IX, to make protecting your life a little easier by providing clothing that’s fashionable and functional.
How? By style design that minimizes printing. Knowing you have these staples in your wardrobe saves you time in dressing, and getting out the door, so you are able to protect yourself and others.
Not only do you have a “Go-To” garment anytime you desire to carry, my clothes can save precious time (on your draw) by allowing you to discreetly grip and access your firearm.
Don’t leave home without it, and you’ll never be a victim because of style.
Printing 101? What does it mean “to
print”? If you’re new to concealed carry or shooting, this may be a new
term to you.
It’s not about graphics or
marketing; rather, it’s about a lack of print. When you concealed carry
you do not want to print.
The whole idea behind concealing a
firearm has many facets. You may NOT want
to be singled out or become a target.
The topic alone or word “firearm”
can bring a hurricane of opinions. That’s why the concept of printing – making
sure the firearm silhouette isn’t visible to others – is so important. This one
concern alone can cause so much fear it can paralyze you in your concealed
carry journey.
I get that it’s scary – terrifying,
in fact, to consider walking around with a loaded firearm on your body and more
so if you have small children who want mommy to pick them up and hold them.
We understand a firearm can be a
deadly weapon and why firearm safety is so strongly enforced. There are two
main ideas to focus on with concealed carrying. One, finger discipline (keeping
your finger off the trigger). Second, muzzle control/direction (never point the
gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy).
This reason alone, is why you don’t
want to constantly fiddle with your set up – your rig, holster, gun, belt, or
tug at your shirt or clothing. But, let’s face it, we’ve all done it. This act
of tugging on your top, adjusting your holster or gun position can bring
attention that you don’t want.
Knowing how to dress around this
life saving tool is a journey of its own. Concealed carry does change your
wardrobe, so, yes, it’s possible you have a closet with nothing to wear.
But don’t despair! Incognito Wear
IX has your back! Our
clothing will remove the stress of trying to find something to wear so
you can be armed and incognito.
After the decision to carry on your
body, you’ll need to determine what position is most comfortable for you.
Everyone is different. I’m barely over 5 feet tall with an average build.
I like to appendix carry. This is the easiest way for me to conceal my
firearm. And, as a woman, my weight fluctuates so sometimes I prefer my right/strong
side and sometimes my left/weak side.
Carrying on my side, at a three o’clock
position (or strong side) makes me look wider and shows the gun frame more.
This isn’t comfortable for me or my hips .
I don’t endorse the small of the
back carry for several reasons. One, it’s a bit of a reach and a little harder
to get to quickly. Second, I saw the following first-hand during a training
class. Mr. Sketchy Bad-Guy gives you a push you weren’t expecting, you lose
your balance and fall. There you are, the gun stuck between your back and the
ground. Landing on a firearm and your spine only needs to happen one time, and
you’ll always remember the experience.
I haven’t tried the flash bang
holster which allows a woman to carry beneath her breast. The holster attaches
to your bra, which might work well if you happen to be “blessed”. I’ve heard
stories of discharges when drawing (which is more of a yank down out of the
holster).
This would be my least desired
position to carry. I know some women love this but it’s just not for me. And
that’s ok! We all have different tastes and different bodies.
Finding out what works for you and
your body is what’s important. We want to make this part of your morning
routine, part of getting dressed, with your firearm added as your last
accessory.
Now you look great and are ready to
face the day and defend your life!
Great job!
If you don’t think you’re quite
there, begin carrying your unloaded firearm around your home. Ask someone you
trust if they can tell whether you’re carrying your pistol. The more you do
this, the more you will build your confidence and become accustomed to how your
holster feels.
The last point I’d like to leave you with is to just try it and begin the process.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel – Incognito Wear IX. New Videos coming soon. Follow us on our social platforms- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
Howdy! How do you greet someone? What kind of handshake do you present?
This week on “Learn from my Mistake” – #98, we’re talking GRIPS and “getting to know” your pistol. It occurred to me that even though some of you may have been shooting for quite some time, we may have bad habits that need some attention.
One common bad habit is your grip.
It may not be a surprise to even spot a poor grip at the range. When getting a grip (on your firearm), think like you would be introducing yourself to someone. You wouldn’t want to give a loose handshake; typically know as a dead fish handshake.
handshake indicates a reserved or a passive personality or an indifference, making it seem as though the person has no bones
Don’t be afraid of the gun.
You can’t over grip or crush the firearm. You want a good firm grip so you don’t drop the firearm once you pull the trigger but also, the firearm needs a firm & rigid support so it can eject the casing and reload; recycle itself, after the shot.
So, grip the firearm with the type of handshake that says I’m confident, strong, and in control. I mean business.
Isn’t that how you’d like to think of your relationship with a lifesaving tool?
With your strong, dominate hand, you want to place the web, the space between your thumb & index finger, of your hand (some call it a “V”) as high as you can on the back (back strap or grip) of the firearm. If it’s a single or double action, there is typically a indentation for the web of your hand that will keep it from going above and getting in the way of the slide.
With the trigger guard resting comfortably on your middle finger, wrap remaining fingers around the grip of the gun. On a revolver, you want your hand as high as possible but out of the way of the hammer.
The placement of your grip high on the firearm helps control the recoil each time the gun is fired.
After all, you mean business, right? Whether you’re putting rounds down range or defending your home, you’re a boss! You can do this! We’re not having tea and cookies. We’re practicing, training to save lives. So, no dainty “teacup” grips.
Tea cup style grip – weak hand is under the butt of firearm offering No support
We don’t need to be delicate with your firearm. We want a good high grip -strong like a handshake. Grip high, but stay under the slide! We don’t want any Biting!
Be mindful of the slide moving over the back of your hand as it cycles another round. If your hand is in the way, you will know it quickly and it could put an end to your time on the range.
Safety is so important when handling firearms, but we must also be safe when gripping & picking up guns.
Your index finger is a POINTER FINGERFIRST – then a “Trigger finger”.
So, make sure it POINTS when you grab any firearm. Keep that finger straight along the side of the frame of the firearm.
Now let’s get the other (weak) hand involved. Now, that we have the firmness of the grip out of the way, what do you do with the weak (supporting) hand?
Again, thinking of a handshake, wrap
your weak hand fingers around the grip and over top of your strong hand fingers,
your thumbs should be in line with each other along the frame of the firearm.
When shooting, especially for ladies, you want to have about 40% squeeze (strength and control) with your strong hand, thus allowing Mr. Trigger Finger to move smoothly and independent of the hand; and about 60% squeeze, control and firm grip with your weak hand.
For men, 30/70 percent of strong to weak hand is more ideal.
Of course, everyone is different. Some may have hand strength issues, arthritis or other physical issue that limit or alter one’s grip. However, the main objection is to safely and accurately place hits on the target.
Get a grip on Safe shooting!
You choose to carry
for your safety and protection. Have you thought about self-defense insurance
to protect yourself from legal ramifications? Check out USCCA
Defense Shield– Providers of self-defense and legal protection for
responsibly armed Americans.
It’s been awhile since we spoke. I know this is a very busy time with baseball, gardening, garage sales, weddings and graduations to plan and attend. Have you made a plan of how you will carry? And what you will wear?
What, if any, restrictions on guns are there for the venues for such special events that you will be attending? I am thankful to have been able to attend my own daughter’s graduation this last week. Here is a resource to verify statereciprocity laws.
crowds
As I write this thinking of celebratory events and happy times to look forward to, the news breaks in with an overwhelming sobering thought of just how short life is. At an event in the UK – Ariana Grande concert, the unthinkable happened… again. My heart goes out to those whose lives have instantly been turned inside out & upside down and many stricken with grief and sadness.
While it is tragic, it is a call to action and to train. This is why we learn how to shoot; why we concealed carry. It is a reason for starting Incognito Wear IX – so that you don’t have an excuse to not be armed. That is “not having anything to wear” and to be able to conceal a weapon-with the assumption that it is permitted by law.
So, what kind of clothing do you want to wear with your firearm?
We want your input! Here are some of our newest designs. Please let us know what you want, what you would like us to make. These Ready to Wear fashion clothes have a hidden access to your firearm and allow for a singular hand draw.
A – Trinity Aztec print
B – Cris Cross 1 pc jersey, cross body draw with one hand
C – Weekender lightweight Aztec print
Let us know what you like, or don’t like. Tell us about your clothing needs so we can keep you armed. We are waiting to hear your thoughts and your input on what to manufacture (selection(s) A, B, C) & sizes (S/M/L or numerical). Email Jan!
