During the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest this year, there has been a nationwide rush on firearms and ammunition. We all can feel the struggles every time we go to the gun store or online dealer for ammo. Part of this is the fact there are more first-time gun owners in society now. These new owners are typically people who want to get better with their firearm for concealed carry but don’t know where to start.

I got this exact question yesterday at my daily job where someone purchased a Glock 19 Gen5 but didn’t know where to start learning. I was excited for him but encouraged him to learn how to use and carry his gun. He’s not the first person I’ve chatted with who needed help with his first steps. These people are new members of the gun community, and we should be excited to have new gun owners in our communities to protect our rights. There are a number of important things to do before carrying a concealed firearm. Let’s dive into training for concealed carry.

Training Is Key For New Shooters

Finding a new holster and accessories can be exciting and rewarding to someone who’s getting into the concealed carry world. Despite this excitement, by far the most important thing for new shooters is training. Being able to use your firearm effectively and having the ability to defend yourself is typically the main reason for purchasing a handgun. In states like Michigan, it is required to take a concealed pistol course before getting your permit to carry. Typically, these are classes to teach you fairly basic rules and to make sure you’re proficient with a handgun. Most classes aren’t taught by instructors who have the goal of digging deeper and training individuals on how to become proficient with shooting.

There are a ton of states that enacted constitutional carry. Having constitutional carry is great, but new shooters can sometimes be lost even more because there’s no training before carrying. Sometimes the best thing for new shooters is to go take a handgun fundamentals course. Most indoor shooting ranges have some form of a basic handgun course. Often times, they will offer a concealed carry based course as well. I can’t stress enough how quickly taking a course can improve your skills as a shooter. Now I know some of you guys who shoot fairly often will scoff and say this doesn’t relate to me. Beginner courses and taking fundamental classes may seem like a waste of time, but practicing and perfecting those basic skills will only help experienced shooters practice their foundation.

Focusing Your Budget On Bettering Yourself

We all enjoy going to the store or browsing new products online. I’m guilty of coming to the TFB homepage to see the latest when it comes to new firearm products. It’s enjoyable but when we really start to look critically at our spending, there isn’t much other than a gun and holster that invests in our personal safety. Spending money on courses can be challenging for sure especially if you’re on a tight budget.

It’s easy to shrug off and make excuses on why its not a priority, but at the end of the day, you’re ultimately investing in your abilities and future. In today’s climate, the ammo for classes will probably be the most expensive investment besides the course fee. When looking at the best use of money when it comes to training, nothing beats getting behind the gun. Practice allows a shooter to push their skills to become the best version possible of themselves. Getting the basics down will give you more confidence and will overall train you to be an asset out in society rather than a potential liability.

Medical Training

Most fundamental classes will teach the basics when it comes to handgun use and safety. Some of your advanced courses will incorporate medical training as well depending on the instructor. In a previous article, I talked about how important it is to know basic medical skills to help in an emergency. You’re more likely to use something like medical training over a self-defense situation. Every day things like car accidents or medical emergencies happen more often so it’s another avenue to invest in yourself and be a positive influence in the society where others may not be interested in helping others in need.

Overall Thoughts

It’s easy to get caught up in customizing your carry gun and buying gadgets that you may not necessarily need. It’s a big responsibility to take on when deciding to conceal carry a firearm. Having the proper skills and training is crucial if you’re going to carry on a daily basis. Whether you’re a brand new concealed carrier or someone who’s been carrying for decades, going back to basics and working fundamental shooting can teach new shooters the proper skills and improve existing shooters’ foundations.

Training gets overlooked or pushed aside for so many reasons. At the end of the day, it is the number one way to improve skills over a short period of time. Let me know what you think of training and what classes you’ve taken in the past down in the comments below. If you have questions don’t hesitate to reach out on my Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there!

TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner is brought to you by GLOCK