So here’s a very interesting response that was posted in regards to a series of questions that a CNN law enforcement analyst made asking questions about how women could carry a concealed weapon while wearing certain attire. The response below is from a women’s shooting league and concealed carry organization called “About A Girl & A Gun”. I’ve included their entire response in quotes, and a link back to their organization for anyone looking for more information.
“On February 24 CNN law enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes asked the question, “For a woman, where are you going to hide that gun during the day?” He continued with another question, “If you wear a dress, if you wear a skirt, are you going to have to wear a jacket everyday with a belt and a holster the way a detective on duty would do?”
Here’s a quick answer to his question – never before have there been more products available specifically tailored to women’s needs. There are holsters designed for all areas of a woman’s body that can be easily and safely concealed under everyday clothing. The traditional OWB holster that Mr. Fuentes references is used by some women who prefer to wear jackets or overshirts to cover the firearm, but that is only one option. There are quality holsters for inside the waistband (front, side, or back), corset/bellyband, bra mounted (both front and side), thigh and ankle holsters, boot holsters, and others. Millions of women know how to evaluate a concealed carry holster for EDC safety and functionality.
Secondly, firearms themselves have become smaller and easier to conceal. It is not uncommon for women to have a variety of pistols that conceal better with different wardrobe choices or activities. We recently compiled a list of the best concealed carry handguns that our female pistol instructors carry on a daily basis. There are dozens of high quality firearms on the market that are perfect for on-body carry for women to easily conceal. These firearms are secured safely in a holster unless the person determines, under the law, that lethal force is required.
Finally, firearm safety is not a gender issue. Everyone must always follow the 4 Rules of Gun Safety . There are 3 safe places for a self-defense pistol and all men and women must adhere to these principles. We invite Mr. Fuentes and his colleagues at CNN to become more familiar with female gun owners, our gun-carrying lifestyle , values, and abilities. Many women come into gun ownership with the primary purpose of protecting themselves. They turn to A Girl & A Gun for holster information and responsible firearms training. We welcome them to the mindset of being their own first responders by carrying a handgun and taking charge of their personal safety and the safety of their loved ones.
About A Girl & A Gun
A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League (AG & AG) is a membership organization whose events have been successful stepping stones for thousands of women into the shooting community, and fostered their love of shooting with caring and qualified instructors. AG & AG breaks barriers for women and girls in the area of self-defense and in pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooting sports by welcoming beginners to learn the basics of safe and accurate shooting and providing experienced shooters with advanced-level opportunities. The club has more than 5,000 members in 48 states, with chapters that host recurring Girl’s Nights Out at more than 150 ranges throughout the nation.
While I’m sure Mr. Fuentes had the best intentions with his open ended questions, they may not have been posed in the best light as they seemed to imply that women wearing a skirt or other specific attire couldn’t safely carry a concealed handgun, and that simply isn’t the case. While I wholeheartedly agree with the ladies from About a Girl & a Gun that there far more CCW options today for women, then ever before; I also think the holster industry has plenty of room for additional female focused CCW options.
