Ten Everyday Life Hacks for Concealed Carriers

Wikipedia defines a "life hack" as "any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life." If you're a regular reader of our TB newsletters, you know already that we often discuss things you can do to enhance your firearms and self-defense knowledge. In that spirit, here are a few tidbits of advice for your own "bag of tricks" to help you get your day started safely and to remain that way!

1. Advise yourself each morning: "This could be the day I will have to use my gun." These sage, paraphrased words of advice come to us courtesy of Massad Ayoob and succinctly set the appropriate mindset for all concealed carriers as they start their day.
2. Orient your carry magazine(s) the same way every day. In other words, whether if you prefer your extra magazine rounds facing backward or forward (we prefer forward), consistently positioning your magazines the same way in your magazine holder make for quicker, smoother reloading. Expect fewer instances of bobbling or dropping the magazine before you have a chance to get it into the gun.
3. Utilize the "New York Reload" when circumstances dictate! If you subscribe to "two is one and one is none" (attributed to Clint Smith), then the fastest way to cure a problem with your gun is to simply produce another one: Thus the "New York reload"!
4. Always keep a knife and/or utility tool at ready disposal. We place great value on always having a knife or multi-tool with you. Knives can do things your firearm cannot and they never run out of ammo.
5. When you are leaving any area, seat, toilet, whatever...ALWAYS turn around and look to see if you are leaving something behind. This is especially critical when traveling, as all too often once you leave, you will never see that space again! How many times have people left a cell phone, wallet, credit card, or—worse still—their gun, on the back of a toilet, or something else valuable lying on a table or seat in a restaurant? Remember: Always check before you exit—you'll be glad you did!
6. Do not drink alcohol when you carry your firearm. Alcohol interferes with good decision-making. The law-enforcement community takes a dim view of mixing booze and firearms. Same goes for drugs. And, keep in mind that prescription drugs can cloud your judgment as well.
7. Never disclose to others that you are legally carrying a concealed firearm. No one should ever know you have a firearm until the gun has to come out. The once exception here is that if asked by law enforcement officer, you must answer truthfully.
8. Just about the time you think you know all there is to know about self-defense and carrying and shooting guns, it's time to do even more research. Set aside a few minutes each day to expand your options by reading or viewing anything by Tom Givens, Gabe Suarez, Massad Ayoob, Craig Douglas (SouthNarc), Gershon Ben Keren, Michael Janich, Rob Pincus, Dave Spaulding, Dave Grossman, and Andrew Branca, to name but a few trusted sources. There are many others—we'll consider an expanded list of recommended gurus in a future Team Buds newsletter.
9. Immediately lock your doors as soon as you enter your vehicle. As soon as you are seated, go ahead and pop those door locks back down. The last thing you need to deal with is someone trying to pull your door open while your attention to your environment is temporarily diverted as you prepare to drive.
10. Double-tie your shoelaces. It sounds kind of funny to say this, but we're absolutely serious. Once you tie your shoelaces with your preferred technique, take a few seconds to grab both loops and apply a half-hitch with those loops on top of the knot you previously made. This makes it virtually impossible for your shoes to become untied on their own. To untie, just grasp the knot and pull on it and not the loose end of your shoelace. The last thing you need when taking off to run is to have those laces flopping around, or, worse, have your shoe fall off—bad juju!

Wait a minute grasshopper...you're not wearing flip-flops are you?

Stay Safe!