This is a glossary for the Concealed Carry Community and for those interested in learning more about phrases and terms involved in some of the stories as our community presents them. Here you will find key concepts and terms relating to firearms, legal aspects, safety protocols, and techniques specific to the practice of carrying a concealed weapon.  

A 

Active Shooter: An individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. 

AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband): A method of concealed carry where the firearm is positioned in front of the pelvis. 

Ammunition (Ammo): The projectiles and their components (cases, primers, powder) used in firing guns. 

B 

Backstrap: The rear part of a handgun’s grip, which rests against the palm. Ballistics: The science of the movement of projectiles fired from guns. 

Belly Band: A type of holster that wraps around the waist, allowing for concealed carry without a belt. 

C 

CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon): The practice of carrying a weapon (such as a handgun) in public in a concealed manner. 

CHL (Concealed Handgun License): A permit issued by some states to carry a concealed handgun. 

Condition Readiness: The state of preparedness of a firearm for firing, including various conditions such as Condition 0 through Condition 4.

The Conditions of Readiness (also known as “carry conditions”) for concealed carry, especially in the context of firearms like handguns, are guidelines that describe how a firearm is stored or carried to balance readiness and safety. These conditions are often attributed to the carrying of 1911-style pistols, but over time have been applied to other firearms. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Conditions of Readiness from “0” to “4”: Condition 4 

Magazine: Empty 

Chamber: Empty 

Hammer: Down (if applicable) 

Safety: Off (since the firearm is completely unloaded) 

This condition is the safest way to store a firearm, ensuring that it cannot be fired accidentally. It requires several actions to prepare the firearm for use. 

Condition 3 

Magazine: Loaded but not inserted in the firearm Chamber: Empty 

Hammer: Down (for hammer-fired weapons) Safety: Off (as the weapon is not ready to fire) 

This condition allows for quick readiness by inserting the magazine and racking the slide to chamber a round, yet it maintains a higher level of safety by keeping the chamber empty.

Condition 2 

Applicable to firearms with a manual safety and a hammer, such as the original 1911: 

Magazine: Loaded Chamber: Loaded Hammer: Cocked Safety: On 

This condition is ready for quick action, requiring only the disengagement of the safety to be ready to fire. It’s not applicable to all types of firearms, especially those without manual safeties or hammers.

Condition 1 Magazine: Loaded Chamber: Loaded 

Hammer: Cocked (for hammer-fired weapons) Safety: On (if the firearm has a manual safety) 

This is considered the standard condition for carrying a firearm that is ready for immediate use, requiring the user to disengage the safety and press the trigger to fire. 

Condition 0 Magazine: Loaded Chamber: Loaded 

Hammer: Cocked (if applicable) Safety: Off 

In this condition, the firearm is fully ready to fire with no safeties engaged. This condition requires the user to exercise maximum discipline and safety awareness, as the firearm can be discharged simply by pressing the trigger. 

D 

DAO (Double Action Only): A type of firearm mechanism where a single trigger pull both cocks and releases the hammer or striker. 

Defensive Shooting: The use of a firearm for self-defense or the defense of others in life-threatening situations. 

Dry Firing: The practice of “firing” a firearm without ammunition to improve shooting technique. 

E 

EDC (Everyday Carry): Items carried on a daily basis for personal defense, including a firearm. 

Engagement Distance: The distance between a concealed carrier and a potential threat where defensive action may be necessary.

F 

Firearm: A portable, barreled weapon that fires one or more projectiles or bullets. 

Flashbang (Muzzle Flash): The visible blast of flame from the barrel when a gun is fired. 

FOID (Firearm Owners Identification): A card required in some jurisdictions that identifies a person as legally eligible to own and purchase firearms. 

G 

Grip: The part of a handgun that is held in the hand. 

Gun-Free Zone: Areas where civilians are prohibited from carrying firearms, regardless of a concealed carry permit. 

H 

Holster: A device used to hold or restrict the undesired movement of a handgun, most commonly in a location where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use. 

Hydrostatic Shock: The shockwave produced by a high-velocity bullet impacting a body, causing damage to surrounding tissues. 

I 

IWB (Inside the Waistband): A holster designed to fit inside the wearer’s waistband, concealing the firearm beneath the clothing. 

Incidental Contact: Unintentional or accidental exposure of a concealed firearm. 

J 

Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): A type of bullet with a metal jacket and a hollow point that expands upon impact, increasing stopping power while reducing the risk of over-penetration. 

K 

Kentucky Windage: Adjusting one’s aim for windage by “feeling” rather than adjusting the firearm’s sights.

L 

Laser Sight: A device attached to a firearm that emits a laser beam to aid in aiming. 

Loaded Chamber Indicator: A feature on some firearms that visually or tactilely indicates whether there is a round in the chamber. 

M 

Magazine: A device that holds and feeds ammunition into a firearm. 

Magazine Disconnect: A safety feature that prevents a gun from firing unless a magazine is inserted. 

N 

Negligent Discharge: The unintentional firing of a firearm due to carelessness or failure to follow proper safety procedures. 

NFA (National Firearms Act): U.S. legislation that imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms. 

O 

Open Carry: Carrying a firearm visibly in public spaces, as opposed to concealed carry. 

OWB (Outside the Waistband): A holster designed to fit outside the wearer’s waistband. 

P 

Perceived Threat: A situation where an individual believes there is a potential threat to personal safety, justifying readiness or defensive action. 

Printing: The outline of a concealed firearm being visible through clothing, potentially alerting others to its presence.

R 

Retention: The ability of a holster to securely hold a firearm in place, preventing it from being lost during physical activity or taken by an assailant. 

Revolver: A type of handgun characterized by a revolving cylinder that holds ammunition. 

S 

Safeties: Mechanisms designed to prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm. 

Semi-Automatic: A firearm designed to fire a single cartridge, eject the empty case, and reload the chamber each time the trigger is pulled. 

Situational Awareness: Being aware of one’s surroundings and identifying potential threats and dangerous situations. 

T 

Tactical Light: A flashlight designed to be used with or on a firearm to aid in low-light target identification and aiming. 

Trigger Discipline: The practice of keeping one’s finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. 

U 

Universal Background Check: Background checks required for all firearm sales, including private transactions, often proposed as a gun control measure. 

V 

Velocity: The speed of a bullet as it travels from the barrel of a firearm to the target. 

W 

Weapon: In the context of concealed carry, refers to the firearm or gun carried by an individual. Weapon Mounted Light (WML): A light mounted on a firearm to illuminate targets.