Admit it. You really, really don’t want to develop that non-stop ringing in your ears for the rest of your life that can slowly drive you nuts, do you?
That’s what I thought.
Loud explosive gunshots will mess with the teeny-tiny hairs in your inner ear, causing a high-pitch noise that never goes away. It’s called “tinnitus” and it happens because the brain is trying desperately to compensate for lost frequencies by amplifying other, still active ones.
That’s why I want to offer this up so you know what to look for to get the best ear protection out there today. Effective. Affordable. Dependable hearing protection.
Earplugs
Cheap, comfortable, and easy to use, these little suckers can’t be beat for price or convenience. One size fits all and they can be used over and over due to their high-durability factor.
Options range from brightly colored foam-on-string thingees to less flashy versions.
A noise reduction rate of 15dB is acceptable but 30dB is even better, so feel free to double up with a pair of ear muffs (see below) on top of the ear plugs.
Oh, and another good thing about earplugs is you can just toss ’em when you’re done. I mean, who wants to stick some wax-covered thing in your ear a second time anyways, right?
Earmuffs
High-tech headphones are the other option for optimal ear drum cover. I dig ’em because they really muffle the hell out of even the loudest loads!
For the ultimate in ear protection and for safe range protection, they can’t be beat! I’m talkin’ somewhere in the range of 30dB NRR of protection!
They’re lightweight and work best for handgun shooting. See, one big downside is this – like any earmuff option, they tend to get in the way when your face is pressed up against the rifle stock while you’re taking aim. And that kinda’ sucks.
That said, comfort is key and I find ’em to be super comfy for lengthy shooting sessions.
And I like to shoot, so that’s good. Plus I like to hear, so that’s even better.
Properly storing your weapons should be high on your priority list of responsible gun ownership. Gun safes keep you, your family, your home, and your possessions on lockdown and can be customized to fit your changing needs.
Even if you live alone, don’t leave firearms unsecured. No matter how well you think you’ve hidden your guns, you can’t be home all the time to keep an eye on them. A gun safe keeps your firearms and other possessions secure in the event of a burglary, house fire, or natural disaster.
Here’s our top 4 reasons to buy a gun safe:
GUN SAFE CRITERIA
1 – Keep firearms out of the reach of children
2 – Reduce the risk of someone stealing your guns in the event of a break-in
3 – Keep guns in prime condition by minimizing moisture and exposure to substances that cause damage
4 – Protect firearms as well as other valuables like jewelry, family heirlooms, essential documents and personal records
Bottom line, a gun safe is a great investment in both security and peace of mind. Whatever your reasons for buying one, there are many manufacturers that produce varying levels of quality, and it’s best to consider your current arsenal as well as future purchases before deciding on size and configuration.
SIZE & CONFIGURATION
Yes, size matters. Big, bulky, heavy safes will be impossible for thieves to move. On the other hand, some gun owners prefer smaller safes for their handguns that can easily be hidden. And then there are those gun owners who like massive locker safes for lofty shotguns, long guns and the like.
Multifunctional safes that can hold firearms as well as other valuables are worth the extra money. Many first time gun owners make the mistake of purchasing a safe just big enough to hold what they currently own. Once you buy a gun safe, you’ll want to add other important items for security that can take up more space than expected. You may also want to buy more firearms in the future, and the smaller safes will run out of room fast. Hint – GO BIG OR GO HOME.
Keep the future in mind. While you may only own a couple guns now, you may decide to purchase a rifle or shotgun later.
Try to find a safe big enough to hold all of your guns and other items you plan to store in the safe, and then throw caution to the wind and buy one that’s even larger! This ensures you that you’ll have enough room to store what you already own with some wiggle room for future add-ons.
Oh, and some safes have really cool locking shelves, drawers and firearm racks – ideal for storing ammo plus small personal valuables.
SECURITY FEATURES
Once you know the size and configuration, you can start narrowing down your options based on security features. Some homes and businesses are more vulnerable to fires than others (i.e. homes in California vs. Florida). Check the safe’s fire resistance rating. Good safe manufacturers pay for third parties to perform lab-controlled tests on their products to assign fire resistance ratings. As a general rule of thumb, a safe that can survive for an hour or more at 1300 degrees Fahrenheit has respectable fire resistance.
You should also consider what type of locking mechanisms you want. Some safes feature fingerprint scanners and other biometric security features. Some gun owners prefer old-school mechanical locks. Safes with digital security features are generally more expensive than traditional mechanical locking safes.
DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION
It’s also important to consider where you plan to keep the safe. You may think your walk-in closet would be perfect, but how will you get it inside if the door is too narrow? What if you need to bolt it to the floor? There are many things to consider when it comes to installing a gun safe.
Last but not least — safes are heavy and difficult to move, so paying a little extra to have the seller handle delivery and installation is worth it. Of course, the downside is that you’re giving away where you plan to situate your safe. All good things to keep in mind, but worth the time to figure out when buying a gun safe!
You and you alone are the only one who can answer. You and you alone know your skill level and potential for “courage under fire.”
Act (or don’t) accordingly! REMEMBER — you only have one life. Don’t play hero. There are other options.
Here’s a couple that immediately come to mind…
RUN!
HIDE!
Both are totally acceptable when your life or the life of a loved one is on the line.
If, on the other hand, you elect to engage, here’s a few things to keep in mind.
Know Thy Enemy
There’s a world of difference between drawing down on a knife-wielding thug robbing your local 7-Eleven versus going toe-to-toe with a mass-shooter armed with an AK wreaking havoc at your school, office or favorite place to belly up to the bar.
Consider said difference before you act — but remember, bullets are bullets. They don’t discriminate based on target, locale, or intent.
Cops Can’t Tell a Good Guy From a Bad Guy with a Gun
How do you minimize the risk of being mistaken for a bad guy? DON’T ACT LIKE ONE! Cops are trained to engage those who appear to be an imminent threat.
But in the heat of the moment, law enforcement will find it extremely difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Don’t give them an excuse to shoot the wrong person! If you see or hear cops coming, drop your CCW without a moment’s hesitation!
Raise your hands HIGH over your head in a non-threatening fashion.
Communicate
Tell everyone in close proximity that you “have a concealed carry permit and are not a threat!”
Tell first responders the same thing, and give them your physical/clothing description.
If you can call 911, give them the same descriptive info. This will prevent a misunderstanding with officers or other concealed carriers that might already be on scene.
Play Defense, Not Offense
Don’t go on the hunt for an active shooter. That’s the job of law enforcement. Your job in these situations is simple: 1 ) Get your friends and family to safety; 2) Save your ass! Of course, if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being in direct line of fire…
DEFEND YOURSELF… TAKE COVER…THREAT SCAN…LOOK…LISTEN!!!
Use your eyes and ears to see/hear if there are any secondary shooters, cops on scene, and so forth.
Maxims
Anyone not wearing a law enforcement uniform and carrying a weapon is a potential threat.
If you decide to act — ACT FAST! Try to resolve the situation before officers arrive. That will lessen the likelihood of you being mistaken for the bad guy!
This is Real Life, Not the Movies!
Every event is unique. There are no perfect training scenarios for real life situations.
You’ve taken the time and training to get your CCW permit. Continue to train, advance your skills, and refine your knowledge!
Remove the screws holding it to the floor, lift-up, and check out the area underneath that can house a handgun. Pretty nifty, huh?
2 – Seat Backs:
The back of the seats has a cover that snaps onto the seat. This compartment will conceal a firearm and ammo and no one will be the wiser. Easy access, tools not required!
3 – Beneath Seats:
Two words: duct tape!
4 – Glove Compartment:
Captain Obvious uses his glove box, but what the heck. It’s perfectly acceptable in a pinch.
5 – Behind Radio:
For the really adventurous, this is a cool one. The radio has four holes in the corners. Insert a wire coat hanger in these holes and the entire stereo slides out, leaving a huge hole to hide your goodies.
6 – Everywhere Else:
Bumpers have cavities that will comfortably hold a long gun.
Fender wells, ditto.
Air cleaner box, double ditto.
Trunk? Nah, too obvious. But hey, if you’re stuck, pull the carpet lining/cardboard backing away from the trunk sides. Ta-da!
As you travel across America, crossing one state line after another, it can feel like you’re leaving one country and entering a completely different one – especially if you carry concealed!
Here at concealedonline.com, we’re going to map out those states that are friendly to the CCW community, and those that aren’t.
Breaking things down state-to-state, regulations can vary big time, especially when it comes to things like how easy or difficult it is to get a permit, how expensive or cheap it is, how much training is involved, and all the reciprocity issues.
So let’s take a look at the states that welcome us with open arms, and those that have done everything possible to make us feel like we’re…
4… STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND!
THE BEST
ARIZONA
Number 1 with a bullet! Arizona is more than happy to issue permits to residents despite the fact that it doesn’t even require permits!
VERMONT
100 plus years ago, Vermont made it legal to carry without a permit. But with the advent of reciprocity, other states require permits, so Vermont had to join the party, even thought it didn’t want to!
UTAH
Affordable permits and a hands-off policy toward where you can carry concealed makes Utah number 3.
ALASKA
You don’t need a permit to carry in Alaska, but authorities readily issue permits in case residents decide to travel to reciprocal states.
WYOMING
Two (and a half) words: permit-less carry. But the state also issues permits for the convenience of its residents if they decide to travel to reciprocal states.
FLORIDA
Three words: stand-your-ground. It all started here and is rapidly spreading across the nation.
NORTH DAKOTA
Residents and non-residents can easily secure a permit within 30 days of applying for one.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Four words: live-free-or-die. New Hampshire lives up to its official motto, making permits just $3 bucks per and courthouses the only place you can’t carry.
WISCONSIN
The Personal Protection law allows permit-less carry. You read right – residents can carry concealed for personal protection purposes!
VIRGINIA
Rounding out the top ten, Virginia is a bastion of freedom for the CCW community!
In fact, Virginia has made it possible for concealedonline.com to qualify you for your concealed carry permit due to a legal loophole that allows residents of ANY state to get qualified ONLINE through the State of Virginia!
When you get your Virginia CCW, you can carry concealed in 32 states!
Take advantage today of this legal loophole before the laws change!
2 – Seat Backs: 
