​You signed up for your first self-defense class. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the new ideas. Here is a review of what you'll learn, and what you'll need to unlearn.

Safety
You thought safety was for beginners. Firearms safety is a lifelong skill for both beginners and professionals. We simply hold the professionals to a higher standard of performance.

Preparation
You thought a gun might keep you safe. Like a life jacket keeps a sailor from drowning, your gun is only a tool. It works best if you don't blindly walk into the deep end.

Equipment
Your gun seemed to fit your hand perfectly when you held it in the gun store. Your all-day class will show you every place your gun rubs your hand the wrong way. Experienced gun owners bring bandages.

Physical habits
You thought that the first thing you'd learn in a defensive handgun course would be to shoot quickly. It turns out that most of your attention is focused on getting the gun out of your holster without shooting yourself. Even the simple things take practice.

Avoidance
There isn't much macho about carrying a gun. Having to use your gun means you failed to avoid the problem in the first place.

Dangerous Places
Your super-ninja self-defense instructor still parks her car under a streetlight. She wants you to do that too.

Simple steps
Your instructor would rather you carry a flashlight before you carry a spare magazine for your gun.

Home safety
Motion activated lights are better than door locks. Door locks are better than alarms. Alarms are better than being an armed homeowner surprised by an intruder.

You win the fight you avoid
Your instructor would rather you run fast than shoot fast. If you can't avoid the fight, at least you are a moving target.

First responders
A serious instructor wants you to keep your friends and family safe. You're more likely to use your first aid training than a gun. Have both.

A costly solution
Your gun can save your life. And it can drag you into legal trouble. You realize you have to learn the moral and legal issues of self-defense.
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A lot to think about
If your self-defense course lasts only a few hours, or if it is as long as a few weeks, you are sure to leave with homework. Now is the time to think about what you will do when there isn't time to think. Your imagination today will save your life tomorrow.

Before I was a concealed carry permit holder, I used to wonder what it took to be able to legally carry a concealed firearm — it can seem daunting to someone just starting out.

Here are a few things to think about as you go on your journey from disarmed citizen to armed self-protector.

The first step is to determine if you are legally qualified to carry a gun. If you are a legal citizen of the United States and can answer questions 11.a. through 12 on ATF Form 4473 appropriately, and have the funds, you can buy the firearm of your choice from a federally licensed firearms dealer; or in some circumstances, another private party.

After making sure that you are legally qualified, the next step is to check the laws in your state of residence. While there are federal firearms laws that apply in all 50 states, each state also has its own patchwork quilt of firearms laws. The best resource for checking on your state and local laws is the NRA website. State government websites will often have a page detailing that state's laws related to firearms purchase and concealed carry.

The states of Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Wyoming and West Virginia allow for any legally qualified gun owner to carry concealed handguns without a permit (so-called "constitutional carry"). There are laws and restrictions on where you may carry in these states, so it is your responsibility to study the laws of your state to understand them as they apply to you.

The remaining forty-two states have some sort of "Shall Issue" or "May Issue" laws regarding concealed carry permits. Put simply, "Shall Issue" means the state will issue a license or permit to any person who meets certain criteria, usually legal qualification and some form of training. "May Issue" states add a further restriction by requiring the applicant to "prove" they need a handgun for self-defense.

The second step is to select a handgun for concealed carry. There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer here, because everybody is different — different sizes, body shapes, clothing choices, hand sizes, comfort with various calibers and platforms, and other factors. A larger framed man may feel perfectly comfortable carrying a full-size .45 caliber 1911 pistol inside the waistband. A smaller framed woman may prefer a .380 Glock in her purse. The potential concealed carry holder should shoot several different guns before deciding on one for carrying purposes.

Next, whether your state requires it or not, taking a concealed carry training course is a great idea. During this class you will review the legal ramifications of concealed carry, discuss tactical considerations and in many states will participate in a live-fire exercise. Many instructors who teach these classes also offer additional advanced classes for even more skill building.

Once you have completed your class, you will go to your appropriate state agency to apply for the permit (in my home state of Ohio, for example, county sheriffs are the issuing authority). You will be fingerprinted and a background check will be performed. It could take a period of days or weeks to finally get your permit, but once you do, you are legally sanctioned to become an armed defender.
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The last step in the process is to determine what you will do in a defensive shooting scenario, including what you will say when you call 911. Being involved in a defensive shooting is not something most of us anticipate, and having made the decision to carry a firearm, it is something we all must be prepared for.

Carrying a concealed firearm is a great responsibility, and there are plenty of reasons why someone would not want to carry one.  But there are a great many reasons why you should carry everyday. It is a huge commitment and you need to make the decision for yourself.

Here are just a three reasons that may help to persuade you to start to carry everyday, not in any particular order.

It’s Your Right as a Citizen of the United States

The Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees protection of the right to keep and bear arms for self protection. The Supreme Court has upheld this concept. Just by being a citizen of this great nation, you have the right to carry a concealed firearm.

The World is a Bad Place

As much as we wish it wasn’t, the world we know today is not the same one we knew years ago. There is more crime and violence than in other historical periods. You just never know when or where something bad will happen.

To Protect Your Family

The most important asset in our lives are our families, and we need to protect them anyway we can. A concealed firearm is one of the best ways to protect them from the world we discussed above.

To Protect Yourself

We all want to come home to our families every night. I know I do. This is another tool to ensure we will make it home to hug our loved ones.

Reap the Benefits of Training

Some people just like to be able to train and learn, and by carrying their firearm, they are able to put that training to use.

Better Situational Awareness

Some people say that when they carry, they are more on edge and are better aware of their surroundings. When I carry, my senses are on high alert and I tend to know more of what is going on around me. Having a gun means I have to know what is happening to avoid a bad situation.

Everyone’s reasons for carry differ from person to person and place to place. However, it boils down to making a commitment to be a responsibly armed person not only for ourselves, but our families and friends.

What is your number one reason to carry? I would like to hear from you in the comments below.