Carrying a concealed weapon at work requires balance between personal safety with workplace policies and legal implications. For those who prioritize self-defense, it’s critical to understand how to carry discreetly and legally in a work environment.

This article covers key concerns, methods of carrying and helpful tips for carrying at work. We also discuss the importance of CCW insurance and the benefits of joining Second Call Defense.

Understanding Workplace Policies and Legal Considerations

Before carrying a concealed weapon at work, it’s critical to understand and comply with local, state and federal laws as well as your employer’s policies. You may have to comply with customer or client policies, too.

Local and State Laws

Laws regarding concealed carry vary significantly by state and even by municipality,. In addition, many states also have their own laws for storing firearms in your Before carrying to work, ensure you are familiar with the laws specific to your location, including any restrictions on carrying in certain types of businesses or buildings.

We frequently consult Handgunlaw.us, which tends to be the most up to date source and is commonly used by law enforcement agencies in their cruisers.

Federal Regulations

Federal buildings and properties may have varying rules about firearms on site. However, it is generally strictly prohibited to carry a firearm into a federal building or on federal property. Always verify if federal regulations apply to your place of work if it is on federal property.

Workplace Policies

Employers may prohibit or allow concealed carry based on their security protocols, liability concerns, the nature of the work environment, and even management’s view of the Second Amendment and the right to self-defense. It’s critical to understand and comply with your employer’s firearm policies or you may risk disciplinary action or termination.

If you are an employer, it is considered best practice to have a written employee handbook and in many cases required by law to establish written policies related to concealed carry at work, and parking lot storage of a firearm in an employees car, to avoid any misunderstandings. Furthermore, your employer may be a tenant in a building where the property owner prohibits firearms in the building, regardless of what your organization might want

Concerns of Concealed Carry in the Workplace

There are obvious concerns about carrying a firearm at work to include safety, confidentiality and liability.

Safety

The primary concern of carrying a handgun at work is safety. A negligent discharge (ND) may lead to injuries or worse, fatalities. It is critical to ensure your firearm is properly secured and that you are thoroughly trained in its use. Additionally, you may want to refrain from off body carry – such as leaving it in a bag, because you may leave the bag unattended, if you use the restroom for example. Speaking of bathrooms, if you remove your firearm for any reason, please don’t place it somewhere and forget it. A co-worker, or a janitor, may find it as in this example.

Confidentiality

Even if you can legally carry a concealed firearm at work, maintaining your concealed carry status confidential is very important. You don’t want your co-workers suddenly noticing you are armed and possibly causing a scene. Even if the co-worker keeps it to themselves, they may become uncomfortable working around you. Additionally, if people discover you are armed, they may notify others – even if it is not against company policy. Not everyone is comfortable with firearms, and it might create unnecessary stress in the workplace.

Liability

Carrying a concealed weapon, especially around others, in most cases makes you liable for any incidents involving your firearm.

How to Carry at Work

Try different holsters and carry positions to find the right balance between concealment (and printing) comfort and accessibility.

Types of Holsters

Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) Holsters: These are popular for concealability although some will find this method uncomfortable and/or more difficult to access in an urgent situation.
Outside-the-Waistband (OWB) Holsters: These are generally more comfortable than IWB holsters but harder to conceal. Accessibility is arguably better with OWB holsters. Using an OWB holster generally requires loose clothing to avoid printing.
Ankle Holsters: These work well for small frame handguns and generally provide excellent concealment. However, ankle holsters pose an accessibility challenge, especially in an urgent situation and can be uncomfortable. Additionally, drawing from an ankle holster can bring unwanted attention to you.

Preferred Carry Positions

Appendix Carry: IWB appendix carry is a common method of carrying a concealed handgun because it keeps the firearm easily accessible at all times, however, appendix carry is not comfortable when sitting for most people. Perhaps more importantly, appendix carry points the muzzle at particularly vulnerable areas, including femoral arteries when sitting.
3 – 4 O’clock Position: This assumes your centerline is 12 o’clock and you are carrying at either the 3 or 4 o’clock position on your strong side or slightly to the rear of it – either IWB or OWB. This position balances comfort and accessibility.
Small of Back: This is not a highly common carry position, but it does offer good concealment when wearing a jacket or long, untucked shirt. For those that do carry in the small of the back, they may find leaning back in a work chair is uncomfortable. It also reduces accessibility.

Clothing to Prevent Printing

Select fabrics that are sturdy enough to minimize or prevent “printing” but comfortable enough for all day wear at the job. Avoid thin or stretch material that may cling to the grip of a gun, printing it for all the world to see. Printing means others can identify that you are carrying a handgun because your clothing is too tight or rides up, exposing the firearm.

Layering strategies

Laying can aid in concealment of a firearm. A suit jacket or blazer can hide a firearm quite effectively, especially in a business dress environment. However, a jacket or blazer may be uncomfortable in some situations and during hot, summer days or when sitting.

READ MORE: See our blog on concealed carry during summer months.

Accessorizing to Conceal

Clothing accessories such as scarves, cardigans, and vests can help mask your handgun and minimize printing, and can add to your professional appearance.

Practical Tips for Discrete Carry

Regular Practice

Practice regularly with your everyday carry gun and holster to ensure proficiency. Consider practicing drawing while in a simulated work environment. For example, if you work at a desk all day, practice drawing while sitting at a desk.

NOTE: When practicing always follow the Three NRA Rules of Gun Safety. When practicing drawing at home, we encourage you to use dry fire techniques and never use live ammunition unless you are on the range.

ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. It’s been said many times that every bullet has a lawsuit attached to it. Should a stray bullet hit a bystander, someone behind a wall, or a fellow hunter downrange, you will most likely be held accountable for any damage to property or injury. Remember that bullets can easily pass through multiple layers of drywall (as the Gopher hunters in the example above discovered).
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. The best safety is your brain and trigger finger. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. A good rule of thumb is to assume the gun is always loaded, even if you just cleared it a few minutes ago.

Maintaining Awareness

Be constantly aware of your surroundings and your firearm. Avoid adjusting or touching your firearm which may look odd and draw attention to the fact you are carrying a firearm.

Integrate Carry into a Daily Routine

To ensure comfort and confidence, make carrying a part of your daily routine. Consistent practice will make carrying feel more natural and less conspicuous.

Why You Need CCW Insurance

If you take a firearm with you to your place of work, there is a significant amount of responsibility to ensure your firearm remains concealed, on your person always, and that you take extra precaution in your daily activities.

What you don’t know can incarcerate you. Not every employer, District Attorney, or law enforcement officer believes you have the right to self-defense, and an ideological prosecutor may choose to bring criminal charges against you. Even if you successfully defend yourself in court on criminal charges, an unscrupulous lawyer can bring a civil suit against you from the aggrieved family of your attacker. These aren’t hypotheticals, people just like you have faced these situations.

Ask yourself these questions, and if the answer is “no” to any of them, chances are you need CCW insurance:

Do you have an attorney on retainer skilled in defending against criminal charges?
Do you have an unlimited budget to pay out-of-pocket for your legal defense bills?
Do you have at least $100,000 in cash to pay a bail bondsman that you can afford not to get back?
Do you have ready access to professional psychological counseling for post-incident treatment?
Do you have legal protection against civil damages that could force you to sell your home, cars, guns, and other assets to pay a judgment?

Second Call Defense provides a range of services for Members that include immediate access to an attorney, coverage for legal expenses and even psychological support. This comprehensive approach ensures that Members are not only financially protected but also have immediate and expert legal representation to navigate the complexities of self-defense laws.

Join Second Call Defense Today

Second Call Defense has a 100% success rate in defending our members. We ensure that you’re never alone in the aftermath of a self-defense incident and we will never ask you to pay us back for your legal defense. Click here to become a Member of Second Call Defense.

Conclusion

If you carry a firearm to your place of work, you need to ensure you are following local, state and federal laws as well as your employers’ policies on firearms at the workplace. If you do carry at work, consider how your clothing and where on your body that you carry will impact conceal-ability, accessibility, and comfort. Finally, if you do carry at your place of work, you need to consider obtaining CCW insurance. Consider becoming a Member of Second Call Defense for the excellent benefits and services provided to their Members.

Concealed Carry in the Workplace