There are plenty of good reasons to carry a concealed firearm. Having a firearm on you not only makes you more attentive to your surroundings, but a study even suggests that people with concealed carry permits are more law-abiding than non-firearm wielding individuals. And, of course, a firearm can help you protect yourself and others from threats and violence.

While carrying concealed can feel empowering and can make you more comfortable around firearms in general, there are certain factors to consider before getting one, so that you can use it safely and efficiently. (h/t to PersonalDefenseWorld.com)

Endless options for concealed carry

If you decide to get a concealed carry, you’ll have plenty of options for how to go about it. Firstly, you can decide whether you want an on-body or off-body carry. Off-body carry simply means your firearm is in your bag or some other kind of storage that isn’t directly attached to your body, like a fanny pack, a backpack or a purse.

For on-body carry, you have a lot of choices when it comes to the holster or pouch that will carry your firearm and your ammunition. There will likely be a holster for almost every part of your body, from your ankles to your armpits. Whichever one you choose and wherever you decide to conceal your firearm, make sure that it works best for your personal circumstances.

Dress around your firearm

No matter what firearm you’re carrying and what holster you’re using to bring it along, you need to remember to dress around your gun. This means choosing clothes that won’t enable “printing,” or your firearm becoming visible through the fabric of your clothing. It also means that you can play around with your outfits, experimenting until you find the right set of clothes that can comfortably hide your gun.

This advice also holds true if you’re doing off-body carry. The backpack, purse or any other kind of bag that you would use must have a dedicated pouch, compartment or holster built into it that can hold your handgun.

Everyone can carry concealed

Anybody who knows the basics of handling a firearm is capable of carrying concealed. Whether you’re male, female, a young adult or a senior citizen, there will always be a gun out there that can accommodate your personal needs. (Related: Millions of Americans are arming up with new concealed carry permits… and the fastest growth is among WOMEN.)

Do you feel like you need a small gun because it’s easier to conceal? There are plenty of compact handguns that can serve you. Or perhaps you want a gun that has more stopping power? There are a variety of .380 ACP handguns to choose from that you can easily tuck away in your holster or off-body carry in your bag.

Everyone is an expert

Carrying concealed is a very personal choice and there are a near-limitless number of methods to successfully conceal your gun. Because it’s such a personal experience, that makes everybody an expert on their own personal method of carrying concealed. Some will be more comfortable with having a smaller gun, others will argue that a larger gun is more effective.

Many of the arguments around which concealed carry method is the best one have no concrete answer. What’s important is that you do your research and you feel comfortable with your personal setup. This makes for a rewarding concealed carry experience.

For more information on different concealed carry methods and the best handgun models for it, check out Guns.news.

Sources include:

TheFederalist.com

DailyWire.com

PersonalDefenseWorld.com

NRAFamily.org

USACarry.com

WideOpenSpaces.com

GunDigest.com