When it comes to concealed carry, convenience and comfort can often be at odds with safety and security. While options like belly bands and off-body carry (using purses, bags, or packs) may seem like an easy way to carry a firearm without adjusting your wardrobe, they introduce significant risks that every gun owner should consider.

The dangers of belly band holsters

Elastic belly bands can be worn in various positions, making them a popular choice for deep concealment, especially with athletic wear. However, this adaptability often comes at the cost of critical safety features.

• Negligent discharge: Many inexpensive belly bands are little more than a pouch of elastic fabric, offering insufficient protection for the trigger guard. Pressure from sitting, bending, or shifting fabric can inadvertently engage the trigger, leading to a negligent discharge. Safer belly bands incorporate a hard, rigid shell to cover the trigger and prevent this kind of accident.
• Poor retention: Without a hard shell or robust retention strap, the firearm is held in place by friction alone. This lack of secure retention means the gun can shift, bounce around, or even fall out during strenuous activity. This is not only a safety risk but also an operational one, as an inconsistent carry position makes drawing the firearm more difficult.
• Slow, difficult draw: While a belly band can keep a handgun well-concealed, it can significantly slow down your draw speed. Accessing the firearm requires lifting multiple layers of clothing, and the soft fabric can collapse, making it difficult to reholster safely.
• Excessive wear: Worn close to the skin, belly bands absorb sweat and body oils, which can lead to corrosion on your firearm over time if not regularly cleaned.

The risks of off-body carry

Carrying a firearm in a separate container like a purse, backpack, or fanny pack is another common tactic for convenience. The dangers of off-body carry, however, are far greater and more varied than those of belly bands.

• Risk of theft: A bag is an easy target for a thief or purse-snatcher. While a person may be unaware they are grabbing a concealed weapon, the outcome of such a theft is dire: the firearm is now in the hands of a criminal. This not only disarms you but also puts your firearm on the street, where it can be used to commit other violent crimes.
  
• Loss of control: It's much easier to accidentally set down and forget a bag than it is to walk away from a firearm attached to your body. Leaving a loaded firearm unattended, even for a moment, creates a high risk of unauthorized access by a child or someone with malicious intent.
  
• Reduced situational awareness: With the firearm not physically on your person, you have to be extra vigilant about the security of your bag. You cannot hand it to a child, and you can't be complacent about its location, whether at a restaurant, in a vehicle, or elsewhere.
• Slow and difficult access: Fumbling through a bag for a firearm is slower than drawing from a dedicated holster. The firearm can also become tangled with other items like keys, pens, or wallets, increasing the risk of a negligent discharge during a high-stress situation. A proper off-body carry setup uses a dedicated, purpose-built bag with an internal holster to secure the gun and keep other objects away from the trigger.

Safety first: On-body carry is superior

For most people, on-body carry methods offer the best balance of safety, control, and accessibility. Holsters that are worn inside or outside the waistband (IWB/OWB), particularly those with a rigid structure like Kydex, are considered safer and more effective. These methods ensure the following:

• The trigger guard is fully covered.
  
• The firearm is held securely with reliable retention.
  
• The gun remains in a consistent location for a quick and reliable draw.
  
• You maintain constant control of the firearm.

Ultimately, the choice of carry method is a personal one, but it should prioritize safety above all else. If you use a belly band or off-body carry, be sure to invest in high-quality products that address these safety concerns, and always practice with your chosen system. However, in most scenarios, a well-chosen and practiced on-body carry method is the safest and most reliable option