We tend to get all worked up about the details of gear and ammo decisions, but where do those rank in the overall pass / fail results of effective self-defense? After carrying a gun daily for a couple of decades and taking more classes than an aspiring plastic surgeon to the stars, a couple of things have penetrated my thick skull.

Good habits, like not burying your nose in your phone, can be more important than just "having" a gun.
Good habits, like not burying your nose in your phone, can be more important than just “having” a gun.

Having a gun can be the least important factor

Too many new(er) concealed carriers have a grossly inflated sense of invincibility, or stated differently, a dangerous false sense of security. This assumption makes sense on the surface.

“Hey, I’ve got a gun. If I ever end up in an unavoidable dangerous situation, I’ll just use it and everything will be fine.”

That seems like a sound plan until you think through details. Consider a few hypothetical situations and with each, be honest with yourself about whether “having a gun” would have helped you.

You’re standing in line waiting to buy a Monster Energy Drink one Monday morning on the way to work. There’s someone in front of you and someone else behind. You’re checking the news on your phone. Suddenly, the guy behind you has a gun out and is screaming for everyone to get down and demanding money from the cashier. Did simply having a gun help you?

Read the rest: Concealed Carry Lessons: How Much Does Gear Really Matter? | OutdoorHub

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