One of the most popular topics you’ll ever see on a firearms / gun forum is the discussion about every day carry or “EDC”. I’ve participated in more than one of those conversations. That said, once you take the gun out of the equation – as it is legally removed for so many people – the conversation falls to nothing pretty quick. So my thought was this: if you aren’t carrying a gun, then what DO you carry every day that is a defensive tool?
First let me say this: if I CAN legally carry a gun I do. My current favored concealed carry weapon is my Kahr CW4543 in .45ACP. It’s 6+1 capacity – and I carry a spare mag of 6 more – is enough to deal with the potential lethal threats I can envision myself encountering. If I feel I might need more gun or more ammo I’ll switch up to either my Springfield Armory 1911 .45ACP or my Glock Model 19 9mm. Most of that decision depends on mode of dress, location of travel, etc.
Second, I have to consider everything else I have on my person especially if I’m legally prohibited from carrying a gun. For me that list usually includes:
- three knives: one locking folder for either front pocket and a small pen knife in my left front pocket.
- a flashlight: the Insight Tech HX-120 is most common because it’s a single-cell light. Sometimes I “trade up” for the Gladius from Night-Ops if I have the pocket space.
- a lighter: either a Zippo or a gas torch
- keys: for house and vehicle
- Wallet: driver’s license, credit cards, membership cards, etc.
- Badge Wallet: yes, I carry this even if I’m not carrying the gun. ID is helpful.
- Cell phone: or Crackberry. Connectivity and communications are good.
- Challenge Coin
- Defense Pen: current version is either Mil-Tac TDP or the CUMA RAM Pen
- Watch & rings
More often than not I have my iTouch in a pocket and, if I have enough pockets, I’ll also carry my BLACKHAWK! Hawk Hook rescue tool.
On rare occasion I’ll put my dog tags back on for some sentimental reason.
We often don’t think about it but take a look at that list and think about how much stuff that is. My question for you is this: How much of that stuff do YOU carry each day? What do you add or subtract?
Leave the gun out. As much fun as they are – and as fantastic a defensive tool they certainly are – this “EDC” blog is about what you do without the gun. Please share…
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