The Seven Deadly Sins of Concealed Carry: Not Going Through the Motions

Archived historical material. This editorial was published on BamaCarry.org on December 28, 2013, and is preserved here for reference only. It describes circumstances and practices as they were presented at that time and does not describe any present offering, organization, or service.

Context of the Original Post

In late 2013, BamaCarry.org published a series titled "The Seven Deadly Sins of Concealed Carry." The entry archived here, written by Billy Denton, addressed practice habits. The author opened with a light aside about the phrase "going through the motions," noting that it usually suggests half-hearted effort, then turned the idea around: in concealed carry, deliberately rehearsing the motions of handling a firearm was presented as a serious matter.

The Argument as Published

Denton identified three skills he considered worth rehearsing: drawing from concealment, exchanging magazines, and clearing malfunctions. He observed that many people assume they will perform such basic tasks well under pressure. To test that assumption, he suggested entering a local shooting competition, naming several match formats as examples without favoring any. In his account, performing under a timer and an audience tends to reveal the level of one's most frequent practice. He added that such match pressure is slight compared with a real armed confrontation.

The author illustrated the point with an anecdote from a training class. An instructor shouted at him during a course of fire, apparently to create mild pressure. Denton wrote that he dropped a magazine, ejected live cartridges, and engaged the safety before finally getting a shot off, to the amusement of the class. He described the episode as good-natured and as a lesson about how quickly skill can degrade under even modest stress.

Practice Suggestions Recorded in the Piece

• Practice at home with one's carry firearm while following safe dry-fire procedures.
• Conceal the firearm under ordinary carry clothing rather than practicing without cover.
• Consider a dedicated training pistol that provides visual feedback on practice shots, which the author regarded as a worthwhile expense.
• Rehearse scenarios in the home spaces where the author practiced.

The archived post directed readers to OutdoorHub for the remainder of the article and mentioned a book by the same author, offered in print and Kindle formats through Amazon. It also included a comment form requiring login and a note inviting readers to support the group through an Amazon shopping link.

Status of This Record

This page reproduces the substance of a 2013 editorial as a historical artifact. References to publications, products, retailers, events, and website features reflect the original post and are not statements about current availability, ownership, pricing, schedules, or contacts. No endorsement or continuing relationship is implied.