Have you ever met one of those guys who just KNOWS that he’s right about your pistol, your caliber and your method of carry? You know the guy I’m talking about. No matter what you say, do, or carry, “you’re wrong and it will cost you your life.”

Now, in my professional capacity, it’s my business to help you make the most of whichever gun you decide to carry, in whichever caliber you choose to shoot, and whichever holster you decide to carry it in. That’s one of the reasons I really love my job.

You see, in order to provide you accurate information about gun, I get to learn about as many guns as I can, I almost said I get to learn about ALL guns, but that would be false. I will never be able to cover them all. What I can say is this: Regardless of what you carry and where you carry it, the two single most important elements are your  "Training and Preparation".

Whether you carry a Kel-tec or a Kimber, a Charter Arms or a classic Colt, the most important thing you can do is train to use that gun as effectively as you can. We can’t all be Navy SEALs. There is no such person as James Bond or Jason Bourne. But you can rise to your potential and be prepared everyday.

A .32 ACP may not knock a vicious attacker backward. But it will put some holes in him and he won’t know it is a .32ACP when the shooting starts. He will just know the odds are no longer completely in his favor. That might be enough to insure you can escape. If escape isn’t an option, at least your gun — any gun — gives you a chance. And if you learn to do things right, those holes you are putting in your adversary will help you when no one else can.

So instead of fighting about which gun is better, simply resolve to carry a gun everyday.

Stay safe,
Train hard.

As temperatures rise carrying a gun becomes just that much more uncomfortable. It can press against your skin, rub you the wrong way and become a gathering point for sweat. None of that sounds very fun. Take all these things together and you might end up deciding it’s too hot to carry. Let’s not make that mistake ¾ criminals strike in the heat as well.

So, what can you do about the heat? Not much on the meteorological front, but on the gun side, you can do a lot. First off, you might want to switch to a summer rig. I know, you trained, “Same gun, same place, every time.”  But that does not mean you can’t come up with a warm weather rig, train up on it and carry it through the summer. Maybe you can switch to a small pistol for summertime carry.

Look for a holster or method of carry that fits your fashion and lifestyle.  Look for a holster with decent backing. The area that touches your skin will be of the most concern. Some companies go with suede, others with space-age polymers. Find one you like and let it work for you. Another option would be to wear a t-shirt under your cover shirt.  Yes it adds a layer, but will not make you all that much hotter and if you place the shirt between your skin and the holster the comfort level jumps way up. Maybe you could go with a pocket holster and a small auto pistol like a .380 or 9mm.

Fanny packs are out there, but people who see them often think “gun.” That goes for good guys and bad guys alike.  Some people complain that such packs are not fashion forward, but consider this: Will the person who ribbed you about your fanny pack be ribbing you after you produce a pistol and save the day? I don’t think so. If it works for you, fashion be damned, carry a fanny pack.

Summertime carry might take a little experimentation, but it is worth it if you have your gun when you need it. Carrying a gun is not only a big responsibility, but is also hard work. In the summertime it can be hard, hot, uncomfortable work, but don’t let that deter you.

Are you thinking of taking a road trip this summer?  If so,  it’s a good time to remind ourselves that whenever we venture outside of our home states with our firearms, we expose ourselves to a multitude of laws, regulations, and even local city ordinances.

Whether we intend to carry a handgun or merely transport it in our vehicle, caution is the watchword. Remember the old legal axiom, “Ignorance of the law is never a defense.” This is doubly important when we are the “foreigners” in transit.

First, some basics. Is your driver’s license current? A shocking number of people are carrying a license showing their old address. Not only is this a violation in most states, explaining why the address on your license is not the correct one can be problematic when you are being questioned on the side of the road by a state trooper. The same goes for your vehicle tags, proof of insurance, etc.

Also, make sure your car, truck, or SUV is operationally functional. A headlight or taillight that is out can invite a stop by authorities. Even excessively tinted windows are grounds for a stop in some states. Check the rules before you hit the road.

Now, the really important stuff. Before getting in your car, check the carry reciprocity situation for every state you plan to visit, even if you are merely passing through on the way to your destination. You can find a list of state your Ohio CCW is valid on the Ohio CCW Reciprocity Map

There are other resources as well. Use them, but read the fine print. Some states will recognize permits only for residents of that state. Since many of us have additional, non-resident permits/licenses from other states, it is important to know in which states they are valid.

Another major issue is that while some states allow open carry, others require truly “concealed carry” and consider “flashing” or “brandishing” your gun a violation. Also, places where you are prohibited from carrying will vary from state to state. For example, most people are surprised to find that in supposedly wild and wooly Texas, you may not carry in churches, or in any bar or restaurant that serves alcohol. Yet in the relatively politically liberal state of Minnesota, carry in bars and restaurants is perfectly legal. In any case, find out the laws of wherever it is you’re going to be.

If your travels will place you in a state that does not recognize any of your carry permits/licenses, it is vital that you understand the rules for transporting firearms in your vehicle. This is often complicated by the range of vehicles we have today. An unloaded, cased firearm in the trunk of a normal sedan is likely to be considered legal in most states. But SUVs and pickup trucks present greater challenges. Make sure you are conforming to local storage rules.

RVs present yet another challenge, in that there is widespread legal disagreement as to whether it is a vehicle or a residence. This is important because where your firearm may reside can depend on whether the RV is moving or not. Some states specify that while moving, it is a vehicle, but while parked it is akin to a motel. Others consider it a “domicile” only if parked in a designated RV facility (hint: the parking lot of a Wal-Mart may not qualify). Find out before you hit the road.

As an extra precaution, I go to the official government websites of wherever it is that I’ll be, I print out both the carry and transportation-of firearms rules, and I keep them in a file folder in my car. Having a copy of these with you is a good idea. If you are stopped, it will at least show due diligence on your part.

Finally, be very wary of travel to or through states like Illinois, New York, and California that are extremely hostile to guns and gun owners. Horror stories abound of visitors imprisoned for violating some obscure rule. A particularly frightening New Jersey case is working its way to the Supreme Court as we speak.

While having to take these steps may be a pain, being properly prepared is better than having your whole vacation ruined by legal difficulties.

Travel smart. Travel safe.