Originally published by AmmoLand.com.

USA – May aspects of concealed carry can be a hot topics for debate among friends.

But some concealed carry myths need calling out, as they may actually be putting people’s lives risk. People, who might unknowingly choose to follow this bad advice.

Here are my call-outs in no particular order.

Concealed Carry Myths #1 – You Can’t Carry A Full Size Gun

Many will tell you that you can’t carry a full size firearm when you concealed carry, instead saying that you need to carry a compact or pocket pistol.

The truth is that you can carry whatever size gun you are comfortable carrying and that you can conceal effectively, that might be a full size 1911 or you might only be able to carry a pocket 380.

Personally I have 3 carry guns that I use depending on the clothing I’m wearing. In the summer in shorts I carry a 380 Ruger LCP in my pocket with a remora holster as I don’t tend to wear a belt those months and t-shirts mean I print fairly easily.

In fall and spring I move to a Sig P938 in 9mm in an Alien Gear IWB Cloak Tuck 2 and in winter when my clothing choices are heavier and I can conceal more I have been known to carry my beloved HK Full Size USP 40 or my Springfield Range Officer (yes, I have a preference of the 1911).

Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t carry, find what you’re comfortable with.

Glock Magazine Speed L... Buy New $2.99 (as of 04:30 UTC - Details) Concealed Carry Myths #2 – You Shouldn’t Carry a .380

Despite what some will say there is absolutely nothing wrong with .380 as a defensive round. For years many have claimed that it doesn’t have enough stopping power to be effective, but defensive shooting is about more than stopping power. As Grant Cunningham over at Personal Defense Network points out, defensive shooting is a blend of stopping power, accuracy and speed,

The .380 will recoil less and allow you to get faster more accurate groupings then the same size pistol in 9mm.

Concealed Carry Myths #3 – You Only Need To Carry When Needed

I think many concealed carriers are guilty of this one, sometimes it seems like a lot of work to put your firearm on to run to the corner gas station to get milk, but the truth is that you never know in advance as to when you will need your firearm. Bad things happen in good neighborhoods or in corner gas stations just like yours, they happen to people on the way to and from work and even in their own homes.

Unless you have psychic abilities you can never truly know when your firearm might be needed and so it is essential that you carry it with you at all times.

Concealed Carry Myths #4 – You Don’t Need To Carry With One In The Chamber

Many people don’t carry with a round in the chamber, some feel uncomfortable with the idea that the gun is ready to shoot and others believe that they will have time to rack the slide in the event they need to use their firearm. The unfortunate truth is that in many self defense situations you simply don’t have the extra seconds to rack the slide back, in that time an attacker could be on you preventing you from firing at all. Not all situations allow you the luxury of time to give a warning or rack the slide and in those situations not having a round in the chamber could be the difference between life and death.

Carrying a round in the chamber is perfectly safe as long as you are using the correct holster for your gun and you follow all safety rules.

Concealed Carry Myths #5 – A Concealed Carry Permit Is All You Need To Carry Effectively

Many people believe that when they take their concealed carry permit training that this makes them “trained” to use a firearm in a defensive situation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most concealed carry permit classes don’t even provide a basic firearm competency test, much less prepare you for a defensive situation.

In order to be as best prepared as possible for the event that you have to use your firearm it is essential that you undertake additional and ongoing defensive training.

Concealed Carry Myths #6 – You Don’t Need A Spare Magazine

This is most often said by people who carry a firearm that has a large capacity however many who carry a smaller capacity firearm also carry without an extra magazine. Carrying an extra magazine is not only about having more bullets, it’s also about having the spare magazine in the case of an issue with the first. In the heat of the moment in a defensive situation you don’t want to be stuck with no options.

Often the fastest thing to do in the case of a gun not working properly is to change the magazine which may help to resolve the issue and save your life.

Reprinted with permission from AmmoLand.com.

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