Whether you're shopping for your first carry system (a carry system is defined as a gun plus holster), or are looking for something newer, easier, or just different than what you have been wearing, price, quality, and carry style are a few factors to consider. But Accessibility, Concealment, and Comfort are probably the three biggest factors to weigh when considering the holster part of your carry system.

ACCESSIBILITY — how quickly you can get to your gun — is a far more important than the type of gun you carry. Provided you keep control of your firearm, you can’t get to your gun too quickly. When shopping for a carry system, look for a combination that gives you rapid, efficient, controlled and instinctive presentation. That could be an inside-the-waistband (IWB) or outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster positioned on your hip, your center line (a.k.a., “appendix carry”) or your ankle. It might also be a pocket carry holster. Or a holster inside a specially-made garment. There are also options for off-body carry (e.g., in a purse or briefcase), but quick accessibility might be compromised if your firearm is not directly on your body. Of course, not every carry system is suitable for every person, given body shape, dress, skills, etc. The only way you’re going to know what works for you is to try it. Wearing the clothes you are likely to wear when you’re carrying, try as many different types of holsters as you can with your safety-checked firearm.

CONCEALMENT. Plenty of gun people say “concealed means concealed" and in no want do they want anyone to know they’re carrying a gun. If that’s you, choose a carry system that hides your gun without “printing” (revealing itself by making an impression on the cover garment). Again, it’s a process of trial and error, using various carry system with your normal clothes. All your clothes. You may have different clothing for different occasions that require different carry systems. A scrub-wearing medical professional with an ankle holster may switch to an IWB holster when wearing casual clothes. Women wear dresses, skirts, shorts and pants; all of which may require a different carry system.

COMFORT. Do you believe that conceal carrying a gun should be comforting but won't be comfortable? You want BOTH. If your carry system isn’t comfy to wear, there’s less of a chance you’ll wear it consistently. The only way to know if a carry system truly will be comfortable all day, through a range of activities (driving, walking the dog, shopping, sitting at a desk, working in the yard, carrying a kid, etc.) is  to try it. And try it again. And again. It may take lots of experiementation before you'll be able to wear any outfit while concealing effectively and comfortably, but it’s worth the trial and error to figure it out.

Since the tragedies took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut (December 2012) and at Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado (July 2012), there has been a significant increase in the number of concealed carry permit applications. Although you often don’t hear about these types of increases until a major event occurs, such bumps in the number of gun sales, background checks and applications for concealed carry permits have been on the rise for years. Before Barack Obama was elected in 2008, there was a strong rise in gun sales simply due to the fear that new gun legislation would be passed during his presidency.

Following major mass shooting incidents, such as Sandy Hook, the Virginia Tech Massacre (April 2007), Columbine High School (April 1999 in Columbine, Colorado) gun sales have increased. It would seem that the emotional reaction towards purchasing guns and obtaining concealed carry permits during these tragic times reflects the tendency of Americans to be quite protective of their 2nd Amendment rights. It appears that the right to bear arms is important, but perhaps not acted upon until there is a perceived threat to limit its scope. These rises have occurred despite some cities and states instituting new gun control legislation.

• The Rise of Background Checks in Colorado

In the first few months of 2013, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed a series of gun control laws that including universal background checks on all gun transfers and sales, including a ban on ammunition magazines that carried more than 15 rounds. At the same time, gun sales in the state surged to record levels. The number of background checks for firearm buyers surged to nearly 147,000 from January to March of 2013— doubling what it was during the same period a year prior. With fears that guns would be taken away from the public, combined with the general dissatisfaction with the law itself, gun sales continued to set a record pace for the year.

• Kansas and Concealed Carry Permits

Also in 2013, the state of Kansas experienced a record high number of applications for concealed carry permit with numbers that topped 24,000 compared to just less than 16,000 the previous year. With over 75,000 active concealed carry permits in the Sunflower State, that number rose sharply last year as more applications were made. It’s also interesting to note that state law allows for open carry— where handguns can be displayed in full view of the public— yet concealed carry permits are still on the rise. Concealed carry clothing is also a popular purchase. Although Kansas has not experienced any mass shootings, these terrible news stories have had a major effect on Americans that are currently looking for more personal protection.

• Why We Feel the Need for More Personal Protection

There are a number of reasons why people feel less safe, starting with the random violence punctuated by mass shootings which fill up our television news. While it is true the murder rate in the U.S. has been cut in half since 1980 and mass shootings have actually not risen in frequency over that time, people still feel less safe about their environment. It’s not that Americans do not value law enforcement. Quite the contrary, police protection is highly valued by law-abiding members of a community. However, even the fastest response time by the police was not enough to prevent mass shooting crimes. The police provide an incredible service, but generally speaking they cannot prevent tragedies like Aurora and Newtown from occurring and once in progress, police cannot always get to the scene of a crime fast enough. However, a person on the scene with a weapon can react immediately to the threat.

While the Second Amendment guarantees the rights of citizens to protect themselves with the use of firearms, it has not stopped many cities and states from trying to pass more legislation to restrict the ability of citizens to buy weapons. In fact, the reaction against such legislation in Colorado has been quite strong and more people are banding together to help protect their Constitutional rights to carry legal firearms. The reaction has not been limited to Colorado, as other states also have seen a rise in the purchase of legal firearms.

Today, many thousands of law-abiding citizens have concealed carry permits and carry a firearm for their personal protection. Rules and regulation vary by state, but in order to get a concealed carry permit anywhere, a thorough background check is completed. Most violent incidents occur without immediate police protection around, so having a weapon for self-defense can save a life or prevent a bad situation from escalating. Deciding to conceal carry is a very personal choice. Whether it’s having a weapon in your holster at all times to defend yourself or your loved ones if need be, or you just want the ability to carry a firearm as guaranteed by the Constitution, more and more men and women are opting to apply for a concealed carry permit. To view each state’s concealed weapons permit information click here.