As a gun owner, you may decide to carry your gun on your person or in your vehicle. If so, the first thing you will need to do after getting a handgun carry permit is to choose what gun you are going to carry. This decision is based on a number of factors.

How Will You Carry?
If you want a gun to carry in your vehicle, your options are limited only by the gun laws in your state. You can keep a gun large or small in a car, though you don’t want anything too cumbersome to use.

If you are going to carry the gun on your person, you obviously need something small enough to carry in a holster that is attached to your body. Depending upon your state laws, the gun may or may not need to be concealed. If it does need to be concealed, this is a further consideration.

Where Will You Carry?
Do you plan to carry a gun on you at all times or only in particular situations? For typical errands and day to day business, a gun that can be concealed under a jacket is a logical choice. But for a day at the park with the kids or when doing other physical activities, a smaller gun that can be tucked into a pocket might be a better option. Then again, if you are going into a dangerous part of town, you might want the biggest, most powerful gun you can tote.

Comfort and Ease of Use
No matter what kind of gun you choose, it will be useless if it is difficult or uncomfortable to shoot. I recommend visiting a gun range and renting a wide variety of firearms until you find one that is the perfect fit both in terms of size, comfort, and ease of use.

As you try out the different guns, consider factors such as weight, recoil, and size, and shape.

Things To Carry In Addition to a Gun
If you choose to carry a gun, there are a couple of things that I would recommend carrying in addition to your firearm and ammunition.

• Flashlight -- Since you should always be certain of what you are shooting at and what’s behind it, a flashlight is necessary if you have to use your gun in the dark. I prefer the SureFire brand but there are many other good brands available.
• First Aid Kit – This is a good item to have on hand even if you don’t carry a gun but it is imperative if you do. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit that is equipped for injuries both major (like gunshot wounds) and minor tucked in your trunk or under a seat in your car.

Things To Carry Instead of a Gun
Carrying a gun is not the right choice for everyone. If you do not wish to carry a gun with you but still want to carry something for personal protection, here are a few options. These are also good supplemental weapons for gun carriers who want a non-lethal option. Be sure to check with your local laws before carrying a weapon of any kind.

• Pepper Spray – Pepper spray can be used on both human and animal attackers, though there are different types for different uses. The effectiveness of pepper spray can vary based on the determination of the attacker.
• Stun Gun – Stun gun laws vary widely by state but if you can carry one, this is a highly effective tool for self-defense, assuming you can get close enough to your attacker to use it.
• Baton – This is a primitive mode of self-defense, to be sure, but a baton is easy to carry and isn’t likely to cause accidental injuries. An expandable baton is best but a walking stick or other similar object can be used in a pinch.