Concealed Carry or Home Defense

by
posted on December 13, 2010
2010121385924-cchd_ms.jpg

A lot of what I hear and read on the subject of defensive handguns shows evidence of confusion on terminology. There is a world of difference between a concealed-carry handgun and a home-defense handgun. Since we don't usually carry our handguns openly as we go about our daily lives in public view, we need to carry them concealed. I must emphasize that this can only be done where it is legally permissible and usually only when we have obtained the necessary governmental license to do so.

Carrying concealed is a complicated matter, but it should be obvious that a concealed-carry handgun is one that is adequate for personal defense and can be easily concealed. For a number of reasons, such a firearm tends to be small, simple and above all, light. If it isn't, you will eventually rationalize away the need for carrying it.

If the defensive handgun is not going to be carried concealed, but rather kept for use in the home when needed. Once again, the gun should be adequate for personal defense, but there are no tactical restrictions imposed by its size and weight. You can keep a large, heavy handgun in a variety of locations around your home and have it ready for use against an intruder. I digress for a moment to advise that where and how the gun is stored is your responsibility, but it must be kept out of the hands of those who are not skilled in its use.

For either role, we choose a handgun that is “adequate for personal defense” in the tactical sense, so any concealed-carry handgun is also a home-defense handgun, but it is not necessarily true the other way around. As a general rule, a larger, heavier handgun is better when a fight really starts, but a smaller lighter one is more likely to be there. As a matter of economy, I can understand a person using his concealed carry gun at home, but if he is never going to carry it away from the house, better to choose something that has a little more heft to it.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.