Via GunMag Warehouse October 4, 2023 • by Kat Ainsworth
If you're a mom who carries a firearm for personal protection — or a mom debating whether it's doable considering the craziness of your life — we have a few suggestions for making carry not only possible, but easier. The idea that you can't possibly carry a handgun because you're constantly being swarmed by kids, carrying a toddler, or breastfeeding is an outdated one. Moms not only can carry, they should carry. We're going to explain the how and why.
Why should moms carry guns?
The answer to why moms should carry guns for self-defense has a few angles to consider. Many — if not most — moms get into concealed carry not to protect themselves but to defend their kids. While there's nothing wrong with that, it's important to remember that you're worth protecting, too, with or without kids. Moms should carry for the same reason anyone should: because you are worth defending and because no one is coming to save you. When you're faced with an immediate, credible threat, you won't have the luxury of sitting around waiting for law enforcement to arrive.
Moms should carry guns because it makes them no longer a soft target. Aside from the fact that you yourself are well worth protecting, you're also the only thing standing between your kids and danger. If your plan is to make yourself a sacrificial lamb, I'm here to tell you what a bad idea that is. Once you've been taken out of the equation, there won't be anyone left to protect your kids. Simply throwing yourself, unarmed and untrained, at a threat is not a good way to go about self-defense. There are better and far more effective methods, such as getting training and carrying a handgun.
How can moms carry guns around kids?
Yes, your kids are frequently climbing on you and curious about every tiny thing. That's why the first rule of carrying a gun around kids — after you've gotten some training, that is — is that the gun in question must be in your control at all times. There's no setting a gun aside, putting it on a high shelf, or using a woefully improper holster. Your handgun should be in a good retention holster carried in a location on your body where it can be easily guarded from tiny hands and feet. What does that mean?
Although it's certainly possible to open carry at home, doing that around kids makes it a lot more likely they're going to poke at the gun. It also leaves the gun more exposed to all kinds of outside interference and potential snags. Concealed carry at home may seem redundant, but it's a good idea. It doesn't remove the fact that location of carry matters, but it's a good start. Should your kids be taught gun safety and the hands-off rule? Absolutely. Does teaching them that mean you aren't responsible for keeping your gun secured? No, it does not.
What carry method is best for moms?
Carry method becomes a case of “your mileage may vary” because not all methods are ideal for all people. Personally, I've found AIWB (appendix inside the waistband) ideal because it places the handgun toward the front of my body and allows for fantastic concealment. It also cuts a bit of time off my draw stroke.
It's also doable to carry behind your strong side hip as long as you remember not to carry kids on that side of your body. This is another reason AIWB is nice — it keeps the gun at the front of your body where it doesn't get in the way of carrying kids nearly as often. If you choose strong side carry, remember that the holster and belt combo matters. That's always true, but it's worth mentioning in relation to strong side carry because the use of a proper holster and sturdy gun belt will hold a gun closer to your body (and more securely, too).
What gun should moms carry?
Your choice of gun really should not be affected by whether or not you have kids. It's true that you might feel better if your carry gun has an external safety or some other additional safety features, but the reality is that proper gun use has a lot more to do with safety. If you think little hands won't be able to manage a double-action trigger on a revolver, guess again. You'd be amazed at what kids can do. The answer to gun selection is to choose the gun that's right for you and to adhere to strict gun safety rules.
Is purse carry good for moms?
Purse carry should never be your go-to carry method. If you're left with no choice but to purse carry, it's vital you always keep the purse in your immediate control. You also need to use a purse that's made for that purpose, not just throw a handgun into the admittedly messy pile of stuff in your purse. It doesn't matter if it's a double-action revolver, in a holster, or whatever — do not put a handgun randomly in your purse. There are many purses available with special compartments to keep your gun in the same position and location at all times as well as keeping it free and clear of objects. Do not put your purse in your shopping cart or allow your kids access to it. Your purse becomes your holster and should be treated as such.
Are there any tips or tricks for moms who carry?
Need a few tips for making concealed carry with kids a little simpler? We have a few:
- Consider a more compact handgun than you might otherwise carry. This reduces snags and edges for grabbing or pushing. It can also make things more comfortable if you're breastfeeding or carrying a small child frequently.
- Teach your kids to hold your hand on your off-side. This keeps them from hanging onto your strong side hand, which makes it difficult to access your firearm quickly.
- Make an age-appropriate plan with your kids regarding what they should do if you're threatened and need to draw your gun.
- Take a class such as The Armed Parent/Guardian, taught by Melody Lauer, to learn how to juggle the responsibilities and techniques of carry and firearm use with and around kids.
- Spend time shooting one-handed. When you have kids, the odds are even higher than normal that you'll be forced to fire one-handed in a self-defense scenario.
- Use a well-made holster that offers good retention. Practice with it.
- Consider using something like the PHLster Enigma that allows you to conceal a firearm AIWB quite securely.
- Teach your kids gun safety. This should be done anyway, but there are some other facets to consider when you're also teaching them how to handle existence of a holstered gun on your body. And remember, this includes the fact that your kids shouldn't be talking about your gun in public or really, to anyone but you…privately.
- Look into minor child coverage and broader self-defense insurance coverage options.
You can carry a gun as a mom. Doing so means you're capable of defending yourself and your kids from threats, and that's something we should all be able to do. Remember, when seconds count, help is only minutes away.
Read the article in its entirety at GunMag Warehouse.
