Over the last few decades, the argument surrounding gun control and the right to bear arms has been at the forefront of public debate in the US. There is no denying the fact that we Americans have the Constitution-given right to own and carry firearms as long as we are safe, responsible, and do so with respect to the confines of the law. Yes, there have been unfortunate incidents across this great country of ours, but that does not change the fact that our own Constitution states that each American has the right to own firearms.

In various states that allow concealed carrying of weapons, the gun safety debate rages harder than ever before. We totally agree that every citizen should be allowed to carry concealed firearms, as many states do indeed recognize. However, we ourselves also recognize the dangers of carrying a concealed weapon like a pistol.

It is all about safety, procedure, and making sure that you use these tools in the right way. Yes, these are tools, dangerous tools, not toys, and they need to be treated as such. Just like with a nail gun, a jackhammer, or a table saw, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. This is why we are here today, to give you IWB (in-waistband holster) safety tips for concealed carry, as well as some general gun safety tips.

We want everyone to be able to take advantage of the second amendment, but we also want people to be safe when doing so.

General Gun Safety Tips

Before we get into talking about the specific safety tips related to carrying a concealed weapon in an IWB holster, we want to go over some general gun safety rules. There are 12 rules we want to talk about, often referred to as the “12 Golden Rules.”  

12 Golden Rules 

• 1You should always treat the gun as if it were loaded. That way,  if it is loaded, but you don’t know it is, you won’t end up hurting somebody
• 2Never point your gun at a person, animal, or anything that will bleed when shot. Yes, you may have to defend yourself, but  don’t be irresponsible and wave your gun around like a cowboy
• 3Never put your finger on the trigger before you want to shoot. Always keep it straight and outside of the trigger guard
• 4Never keep the gun with a bullet in the chamber unless you  need it
• 5If you don’t intend to shoot it, don’t point your gun at it
• 6Always be sure of exactly what your target is and be aware of your surroundings
• 7Always learn everything you can about the specific gun you are using
• 8Never use the wrong ammunition for your firearm
• 9Whenever you load and shoot your gun, make sure that the barrel  is clear before doing so
• 10If the gun misfires or fails to shoot, keep the gun pointed in the same direction for several seconds to ensure that the bullet will not fire
• 11While you should always use the safety, don’t solely rely on it to prevent it from firing
• 12Always be aware of where you are and what your surroundings are. Tripping over a stick and shooting a person or pet can and does happen, so always beware of your surroundings

Concealed Carry IWB Safety Tips

Carrying a concealed weapon in an IWB holster may seem easy, straightforward, and very safe, but things can and do go wrong. Remember folks, these are weapons and they need to be treated with respect and caution. You do not want to end up hurting yourself, a loved one, or a complete stranger on the street. Let’s go over some of the most important concealed-carry IWB holster tips and guidelines right now.

First and foremost, you need to get a holster that is specifically made, molded, and designed for the exact handgun that you plan on carrying in it. Yes, there are basic one-size-fits-all holsters out there, but they just don’t cut muster. No matter what handgun you have, the IWB holster needs to be made specifically for it. You need the holster to have the right fit, and tension. The holster can’t be too big, too small, or misshapen; that is just an accident waiting to happen.

The IWB holster you get should ideally have room for the sights of the gun, especially specialized sights. Your IWB holster should have a blocked and reinforced sight track within it. If your IWB holster does not have this, the sight or the front of the gun could get snagged on the holster, both when drawing and holstering your weapon. This can end up being quite dangerous.

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If you have an older holster that just is not doing its job anymore, by no means should you keep using it. Your IWB holster needs to be in great shape at all times, with all of the components in perfect working condition.

The safety strap needs to be in one piece, so the gun cannot fall out; the retention chamber needs to be solid and tight to prevent slipping; and the front of the holster needs to be in one piece too. This is something that you literally carry around in your pants, so having a top-quality, new, and perfect condition holster is absolute must.

It is wise to get an IWB holster that comes with a safety strap so that your firearm cannot move around inside of the holster. These straps press down on the gun from the rear, keeping it safe and secure within the IWB holster. If you do not want an IWB holster with a safety strap, it needs to be specially build and molded for your specific gun, which it should be regardless of the safety strap. The most important point to remember when using an IWB holster without a safety strap is that it needs to be snug, tight, and secure.

When using an IWB holster, ensure that the cant of the holster does not lean too far back or too far forward. While you do want to have a bit of a cant to make it easier to draw the weapon in an emergency situation, having it lean too far in any direction may allow the weapon to slip out of the holster. Of course, having the weapon slip out of your holster while doing anything at all is extremely bad and needs to be prevented at all costs. If your gun slips out of the holster, even during very enthusiastic and hardcore training, you have a big problem.

The IWB holster you have needs to come with a reinforced welt that will allow you to draw and holster it with a single hand. When it comes to emergencies and dire situations, not only is it inconvenient to have to use both hands to draw and holster your weapon, but it can be very dangerous too. When drawing and holstering your weapon, you want to have one hand free for anything that may arise.

One of the most important rules to follow when it comes to IWB holsters is that the trigger and the trigger guard always need to be covered. You should never be able to put your finger on the trigger of the weapon while it is holstered. If you have a round in the chamber and the safety is off for some reason, you could end up shooting yourself or someone else if you have the finger on the trigger before the weapon is actually drawn.

While the IWB holster that you get needs to be extremely tight and secure, it should not mess with the various controls of your weapon. If the holster moves the slide, the hammer, safety, the magazine release, or trigger, you have a problem. This just helps to reinforce the fact that the IWB holster you get needs to be specifically designed for your exact weapon. Perhaps the most important point here is that the IWB holster needs to make room for the safety so that the safety does not become disengaged within the holster.

Always make sure to wear the right pants when wearing an IWB holster. You need a good rim at the top, by the waist, because the IWB holster clips onto the waistband. Wearing shorts or something with a soft waistband, like track pants or basketball shorts simply won’t do. They are too soft and flexible to be worn with an IWB holster.

Conclusion

When it comes to carrying a concealed weapon with an IWB holster, and carrying any kind of firearm in general, you always need to remember that it is a dangerous tool. You need to be cautious, be safe, and be alert. While firearms are amazing tools that can save your life, they can just as easily do the opposite, so exercising the utmost caution is absolutely critical.