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

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Atlanta
NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Atlanta

The Rifleman Report: New Developments

Our official coverage of new products for the current year is set for next month, but we included two substantial new developments in this issue that have the potential to make significant ripples in the firearm business even before then.

Arkansas To Begin Mandatory Gun Safety Lessons In Schools

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law requiring public and open enrollment public charter schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction beginning during the 2025-2026 school year.

Adams Arms Set To Relaunch

Alexandria Pro-Fab, a contract machine shop based in Minnesota, announced that it has purchased the assets of Adams Arms, along with all of the company’s intellectual property, and it plans to relaunch the company in the second quarter of 2025.

I Have This Old Gun: Bayard Auto Pistol

The Herstal, Belgium, firm of Anciens Etablissements Pieper was apparently expecting big things when, in 1908, it named its new semi-automatic pocket pistol “Bayard.”

The Armed Citizen® March 31, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New For 2025: Benelli USA Nova 3 Tactical

This latest update to Benelli’s pump-action shotgun gives users a few upgrades over previous generations, making the new NOVA 3 the most exciting pump-gun yet to come from the Italian maker.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.