Choosing the Right Concealed Carry Class for Your Needs
cCarrying a firearm is a serious responsibility, and it starts long before you ever apply for a license or step onto the range. Good training builds a foundation: safe handling, sound judgment, situational awareness, and restraint. The firearm itself is only one part of the equation, mindset and preparation are everything.
1. Know Your Purpose
Before you sign up for any course, ask yourself: What do I want from this training? Do you need to build confidence in handling and safety? Are you preparing to carry daily? Your goals determine where to start, not everyone needs to jump straight into an LTC course.
2. Classes to Consider Before the LTC
A License to Carry is an important milestone, but it shouldn’t be your first step. You build defensive readiness in layers, starting with understanding, awareness, and control.
Intro to Firearms & Fundamentals Learn firearm safety, parts, operation, and basic marksmanship. Perfect for new shooters or those wanting to refresh safe habits.
De-escalation & Verbal Skills Understand verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal communication. Learn how to manage tension and defuse potential conflict, because walking away safely is always the best outcome.
Situational Awareness & Threat Avoidance Develop habits to stay alert, recognize pre-attack indicators, and position yourself wisely in everyday environments.
Legal & Ethical Use of Force Primer Explore what “reasonable” means under law. Understand the difference between defending yourself and escalating a situation you could have avoided.
First Aid / Stop the Bleed If you’re willing to carry a tool that can take life, you should also know how to save one.
3. Choosing the Right Tool
Selecting your firearm isn’t just about brand or caliber, it’s about fit, control, and confidence. Test different models. Find what feels natural in your hand, what you can control safely, and what you can train with regularly. Don’t buy based on hype or size alone, buy based on purpose and proficiency.
4. The Mindset: Carrying as the Last Resort
A firearm is not a symbol of power, it’s a symbol of responsibility. The goal of every trained protector is avoidance first, engagement last. Training should teach you how to recognize danger early, create distance, de-escalate, and protect life with restraint and confidence.
5. Legal Protection & Continued Education
Carrying a firearm also carries legal and moral responsibilities. Having legal insurance and representation in place is something every responsible gun owner should strongly consider.
I’ve personally been a USCCA Member since 2020 for that exact reason, not only for the legal protection, but for the continued education and training resources they provide. From scenario breakdowns and video lessons to legal updates and situational drills, their educational content helps you stay sharp, informed, and ready. Not sure about them, they have a multitude of free trainings on major topics where you can learn more. Just ask me how to sign up.
Membership programs like USCCA remind us that learning doesn’t end after class, it’s a lifelong process of preparation, awareness, and accountability.
6. Build a Habit of Training
Your license isn’t the finish line, it’s the beginning of a mindset. Skill fades without repetition. Keep training, keep learning, and surround yourself with people who take safety seriously.
Train regularly in:
Dry-fire practice and live-fire drills
Situational and scenario-based exercises
De-escalation refreshers and legal updates
First aid and trauma response
Final Thought
Carrying concealed is more than protecting yourself, it’s about protecting life, upholding discipline, and being prepared for the worst while praying for the best.
Choose training that builds your mindset first, your skill second, and your confidence last. At Fidelis Runa Solutions, we believe real readiness comes from education, awareness, and responsibility, not fear.
For information on upcoming Intro to Firearms, De-escalation & Situational Awareness, and Texas LTC classes, visit www.fidelisruna.com or contact cculton@fidelisruna.com.