Until you’re able to predict where and when the next attack will come, we will always suggest carrying a gun and a proper holster. However, sometimes it’s not possible or practical to carry a gun on your person. But you still should have a gun. So what is a person to do? An option, but not the only option, is off-body carry. Today we’re going to cover the pros and cons of off-body carrying.
The Pros: The benefits of off-body carry include comfort, convenience, concealment, and capacity. Off-body carry packs also provide more deep cover for your gun and you can carry “more gun” than you can hide on your hip. Securing a gun in an off-body container is simple and most packs come with rudimentary internal “holsters” that attach with Velcro. There are some rules you need to remember if you’re going to utilize an off-body carry method.
- First up, use some sort of internal holster that covers the trigger guard. Do not simply let that pistol bounce around in the bag. This is not only a safety issue, but an access issue, too.
- Secondly, the pocket or location you choose for your gun should be exclusively for your gun. Do not be putting keys, pens, lipstick, chapstick, beef jerky, or anything else in there. Any such items can impede your grip and draw or they could hang up in the trigger, causing a negligent discharge.
The Cons: All those benefits come with some downsides; namely access and acquisition. On the access side of things, off-body carry is not a quick-draw proposition. You have zippers, flaps, and straps getting in the way of your draw. All of this takes time. Acquisition is not about your ability to acquire the gun. It is about someone else’s ability to end up in possession of your firearm. If someone grabs your bag in hopes of getting your computer, tablet, smart phone, or wallet and they end up with a bonus firearm, well, that’s just doubly bad for you.