Concealed carry has become a hot-button issue in recent years, especially now that there’s been a spike in terrorism and mass shootings. This leaves some wondering if they should have a handgun tucked away in a concealed carry vest for men just in case the worst happens. But the answer depends on where you are going and what your profession is.
What Is Concealed Carry?
Concealed carry is the practice of carrying a firearm or weapon in public, either on your body or within close proximity. And the difference between it and open carry is that concealed weapons cannot be seen by other people.
The most common form of concealed-carry is to have a concealed gun in public, but it also includes carrying any other kind of weapon or self-defense tool such as pepper spray.
What To Do While Driving
It is important to keep your firearm concealed while you are driving. If the holster that your gun is in doesn’t have a cover, then consider tucking it under something so people can’t see it when they look into the car.
If you were pulled over by law enforcement and had a weapon on you, this would be an excellent time to ensure that it is concealed to avoid legal repercussions.
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings And The Laws In Your State
The United States has a patchwork of state and local laws governing civilian firearms possession. While some states have no restrictions, others prohibit it in many or even all places outside your home. In addition to these “concealed-carry” statutes, federal law makes it illegal for certain convicted felons or other prohibited persons to possess guns. And, some states impose this same prohibition on various classes of people.
Know When To Leave Your Firearm In The Car
If you’re not a law enforcement officer, security guard or member of the armed forces and you’re in a location that is prohibited by law to carry guns, it’s best to leave your firearm in the car. Most of these restricted areas have a no-gun sign outside of the building. But you can ask a security guard before entering because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Generally, avoid carrying a firearm in the following scenarios:
- If you’re going into an area where there are many people, especially if they are hostile or unpredictable. This includes concerts, protests and sporting events.
- When visiting locations that have security guards who will check backpacks and other bags to prevent guns from entering. These include courthouses, prisons, government buildings, and other federal facilities.
- If you’re driving in an area that has a lot of potential targets – such as at large outdoor concerts or gatherings where there is no security. This also includes school zones on the day before, during and after school hours (especially when parents are picking up their children).
- When visiting locations like churches or synagogues where there are many people, and you don’t know the security procedures.
- When visiting a location that is not open to the public like military bases or closed schools (both of which will have signs).
What To Do If You’re Stopped By Law Enforcement
This is one of the most important things – always be prepared for an officer to stop and ask if they can search your car. However, you should refuse this unless he or she has a warrant that allows them to do so. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and ensure that you do not reach into your pocket for anything.
Doing this will make it harder for the officer to see anything that might be in your pocket and will put you in a better position if they were to try searching.
Don’t Be Afraid To Call The Police
If someone is following or harassing you, it’s best to call 911 immediately so they can notify officers in your area. Be sure to give them as much information about the person’s appearance, behavior and whereabouts as possible so they can locate them more easily.
If you’re being followed by a car with emergency lights on it, do not speed up or pull over – just proceed calmly until they have passed you for safety reasons. The last thing you want is to get into a shootout with an officer. This could end badly for you.
In case the car following you is a police car, it’s legal to ask if they are detaining or arresting you – the law enforcement agency will have signs on their cars that state this as well. If they don’t answer and continue to follow you for an extended period, call 911 again so officers in your area can find you.
HussaiN is a full-time professional blogger from India. He is passionate about content writing, tech enthusiasts, and computer technologies. Apart from content writing on the internet, he likes reading various tech magazines and several other blogs on the internet. Email ID: [email protected]
0 Comments