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Concealed carry provides law-abiding citizens with the opportunity to defend against a deadly threat regardless of size, strength, or physical ability. This practice is most effective when your EDC handgun is completely hidden from view, without any visual indicators (such as bulging, printing, etc.) that you are concealing a firearm on your person.
For the uninitiated, printing can best be described as those tell-tale signs that an individual is carrying a concealed handgun. Picture a balding businessman with an obvious Desert Eagle-shaped bulge under his suit jacket, or a soccer mom with the distinctive outline of a Bersa Thunder etched into the waistband of her stonewashed skinny jeans. These are dead giveaways that a person is armed and greatly impedes the ability to react to a deadly threat by telegraphing the presence and location of a defensive firearm.
A determined aggressor may use this information to bypass an unsuspecting victim's defenses in such a way that they are unable to effectively draw and fire, or could simply initiate the attack by grabbing the gun and taking it for themselves. Alternatively, a cunning criminal might go so far as to prepare an ambush with a weapon of their own, overwhelming the victim with sudden and extreme violence.
To combat these risks, responsible self defenders would need to exercise the same situational awareness as those who open carry without enjoying the benefits that open carry normally affords, like a faster draw and unobstructed access to their firearm. It is infinitely easier and more beneficial to avoid printing altogether. Here are five tips for concealing your EDC pistol effectively while minimizing the likelihood of printing.
Some firearms are easier to conceal than others. We recommend trying several options to determine which style of handgun works best with your body type - whether that's a slim 1911, a snubby revolver, or a double-stack micro compact. The right gun will strike a balance between shootability and concealment, without any sharp angles or blocky features that will stand out beneath your cover garment.
We're grouping these together because a solid holster and belt are equally important if you want to avoid printing. Specifically, the holster should secure the firearm and ride tight to the body while the belt supports the weight of the gun and pulls the grip into the natural curve of your waistline.
Additionally, the clothing you choose to wear will impact your ability to successfully conceal a firearm. Tighter clothes made of bright, lightweight fabrics will naturally print more than relaxed clothing with more durable materials. When possible, add layers (button-up shirts, jackets, etc.) with darker colors or patterns to obscure the outline of your handgun.
It may also benefit you to experiment with different carry methods and positions. While appendix carry works for some people, others have greater success carrying just behind the hip. Specialty EDC rigs like shoulder holsters and belly bands can also help reduce printing in settings where you don't have as much flexibility in regards to how you dress.
In our experience, the single biggest mistake gun owners make is neglecting to stress test their EDC setup. Exercise in front of a full-length mirror or place your cell phone on a tripod and record yourself preparing a meal in your kitchen. As you bend, squat, and move your arms, you can identify the limitations of your loadout and adjust accordingly. There might be certain outfits you can't wear or certain actions you can't perform in public without taking great care to ensure that your firearm remains fully concealed at all times.
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Once you step outside of your home, egregious or unintentional printing can have adverse consequences for you and your loved ones. Many jurisdictions prohibit the open display of a firearm and classify printing as a violation that may incur legal penalties. And as we mentioned above, advertising that you have a concealed handgun (particularly if you are not aware that you're printing) adds an additional layer of risk that must be addressed with increased vigilance.
Printing is just one of the many things people get wrong with concealed carry. Learn how you can avoid common mistakes and improve your EDC setup by watching our video below.
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