Being in the firearms world, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest when it comes to firearms and gear. It’s my job to get caught up in what new firearm or piece of gear can make life easier to carry a concealed firearm. I can’t tell you how many articles I have written about various new guns and gear but we don’t focus on a ton about the mindset of carrying a concealed firearm. There’s a number of things that should go through an individual’s head before even considering pulling their firearm. Let’s dive into the basics of how to survive an attack.

You Win 100% Of The Fights You Don’t Fight

The biggest way to win a gunfight is to never get into a gunfight. People always say what they would do if they were attacked, but not many talk about what they do to avoid a fight entirely. Some of you may look at me and say ” Well Matt, isn’t it your job to talk about getting to a gunfight?” My answer to that is yes technically but there’s much more to the overall picture than just the actual fight.  The biggest thing from the beginning is seeing a threat before they have the opportunity to choose you.

Seeing Problems Ahead Of Time

The biggest way to survive a gunfight is having the ability to see risks and avoid them entirely. There’s a plethora of warning signs to get out of a bad situation, whether it’s body language or posturing of certain individuals, there are plenty of signs to let you know it’s time to leave. It can be as simple as staying in lit areas at night or staying away from questionable people. There’s a higher probability someone dressed in a suit will leave you alone compared to a group of younger men dressed in street clothing.

It’s all about quickly having the ability to make a judgment call on people around you. Some like the idea of profiling individuals based on appearance, but when it boils down to the hard facts, it’s one of the only tools you can utilize in the moment. They may be the nicest human on the planet, they may also have a hidden firearm and love your watch. Now I know some of you will disagree and that’s alright. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten in the past was looking for the things that are out of place.

Sometimes, instead of trying to see everything in your surroundings, it’s just easier to look for things that don’t belong or don’t seem right. This has worked for me a number of times walking to my car at night in the city. If things don’t look right, look for a different path or just wait it out. If you can tag along with a larger group of people or take a different approach, that may be the best way.

Your Gut Is Typically Right

Having a “gut” feeling is an odd thing. You’re not sure where exactly it comes from but they typically will hit you suddenly almost like the body’s natural alarm. Having a gut feeling is one of the last instincts we use that can benefit us even in modern-day society. I like to look at it as the body’s natural warning system to you that something just isn’t right.

Your gut feelings may not always be totally accurate but I have met a number of people who openly say they ignore their gut feelings and went into a risky situation anyway. I don’t quite understand that thought process. When you’re out in public, using small advantages like your gut instinct are smart ways to keep safe without involving yourself in a potentially deadly confrontation.

Check Your Ego At The Door

Occasionally, I have been known to go hang out with local instructors who teach conceal carry classes. In a perfect world, this subject wouldn’t have to be addressed but after going through almost 25 classes in the last couple of years, I can promise it needs to be addressed. It is incredible how many new gun owners are asking what is appropriate and what’s not when talking about self defense. I’ve heard students say everything from they want to protect their homies to they want to be strapped for when someone mouths off. We typically ask those people to leave but it is most certainly a thing.

If you plan to take on the responsibilities of carrying a concealed firearm, you need to check that ego at the door. Most people don’t quite understand the fact they have a tool that’s fantastic at self-defense, and with that tool comes responsibilities. One of the best ways to look at it is to be as passive as you can be out in public. Be the gentleman who holds doors for people and is soft spoken. It’s always good to be the best version of yourself when carrying a loaded firearm concealed.

If You Have To Draw Your Gun, Know The Consequences

Having to draw your firearm and use it in a self-defense situation is an absolute worst-case scenario. At this point, it means all attempts to avoid or diffuse the situation have failed and it’s life or death for you. We talk about the guns and gear, but actually using your in a self-defense situation will have incredible repercussions on your life. Whether it’s financially from legal fees or the emotional toll taking a life will weigh on you. In almost all circumstances, you’ll be taken into custody and go through exactly what happened multiple times. I’ll dive deeper into this later down the road, but the actual act of self defense is just the beginning.

Overall Thoughts

So how do you survive an attack? Building the tools and skills to see potential hazards or threats before they have the ability to put you in danger. Like I said earlier, you survive 100% of the gunfights you don’t get into which means the best offense is a good defense. If things escalate and you find yourself in a threading situation, I would strongly advise doing every single thing you can to deescalate the situation and get distance from the threat so you can avoid conflict entirely. Things are different when you carry a firearm and instead of feeling empowered, you should have a passive mindset because you have an incredibly powerful self-defense tool when it comes to protecting yourself. The most successful people who conceal carry daily are the ones who don’t ever have to draw their firearms in the first place.

Let me know what you guys think about this mindset when it comes to carrying concealed. Is it best to avoid situations entirely or do you guys just prefer to live your lives and be reactive to situations? Let me know your thoughts good or bad in the comments below. If you have any questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, please shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there.

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