One of the most popular topics you’ll ever see on a firearms / gun forum is the discussion about every day carry or “EDC”. I’ve participated in more than one of those conversations. That said, once you take the gun out of the equation – as it is legally removed for so many people – the conversation falls to nothing pretty quick. So my thought was this: if you aren’t carrying a gun, then what DO you carry every day that is a defensive tool?
First let me say this: if I CAN legally carry a gun I do. My current favored concealed carry weapon is my Kahr CW4543 in .45ACP. It’s 6+1 capacity – and I carry a spare mag of 6 more – is enough to deal with the potential lethal threats I can envision myself encountering. If I feel I might need more gun or more ammo I’ll switch up to either my Springfield Armory 1911 .45ACP or my Glock Model 19 9mm. Most of that decision depends on mode of dress, location of travel, etc.
Second, I have to consider everything else I have on my person especially if I’m legally prohibited from carrying a gun. For me that list usually includes:
- three knives: one locking folder for either front pocket and a small pen knife in my left front pocket.
- a flashlight: the Insight Tech HX-120 is most common because it’s a single-cell light. Sometimes I “trade up” for the Gladius from Night-Ops if I have the pocket space.
- a lighter: either a Zippo or a gas torch
- keys: for house and vehicle
- Wallet: driver’s license, credit cards, membership cards, etc.
- Badge Wallet: yes, I carry this even if I’m not carrying the gun. ID is helpful.
- Cell phone: or Crackberry. Connectivity and communications are good.
- Challenge Coin
- Defense Pen: current version is either Mil-Tac TDP or the CUMA RAM Pen
- Watch & rings
More often than not I have my iTouch in a pocket and, if I have enough pockets, I’ll also carry my BLACKHAWK! Hawk Hook rescue tool.
On rare occasion I’ll put my dog tags back on for some sentimental reason.
We often don’t think about it but take a look at that list and think about how much stuff that is. My question for you is this: How much of that stuff do YOU carry each day? What do you add or subtract?
Leave the gun out. As much fun as they are – and as fantastic a defensive tool they certainly are – this “EDC” blog is about what you do without the gun. Please share…
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As a police officer, I rarely go anywhere without my Glock 27 .40S&W. But, there are times when it just isn’t practical or prohibited for some reason.
Whether I have my Glock on me or not, I generally have at minimum 2 knives, usually 3 or 4. Those knives being a Blackhawk Garra II, SOG-TAC Tanto Mini Auto, CRKT Hissatsu Folder and a SOG Access Card 2.0. I use the SOG Access Card as a money clip, which helps keep my cash organized, but knife at the ready if needed when cash is in hand.
My other carry items are:
– Blackberry
– Keys
– Cuffs (if carrying my gun)
– Wallet, ID & Badge
I don’t always have a flashlight on me, just because I haven’t gotten a high powered mini tac light yet. I always have one tac light in my vehicle right next to the drivers seat, with another one in my duty bag if needed. You never know when you might need a light, even if it’s just to find something you dropped under the seat.
Although I try not to leave the house without my Glock, when I do I feel naked not carrying something. Knives are a good alternative. My wife makes fun of me when we travel by plane, because she knows how I am and I feel very uncomfortable not having my tools of the trade.
My advise is to carry what you can, within reason of course.
Leaving the gun out, I carry an ASP baton(easily concealed,lightweight,effective),knife,flashlight,other weapons(pen and keys).
I’m no longer a licensed security officer, but the job made it painfully clear that preparations have to be made. When I can’t carry my M&P (or LCR when I can’t tote the larger weapon) on my body, I’ll opt for the purse. If this is still out, I rely on the Spyderco FFG Endura and Delica that I always have on me no matter what I’m wearing. I have a Fenix PD32 readily accessible in an outside purse pocket during the day, in my hand when walking at night. I also carry a Streamlight Microstream, ancient Leatherman Wave that’s been through hell (and can serve as an innocuous weighted kubotan with the skateboard tape on the flats of the handle), and occasionally a fixed blade if I needed one for work that day. These can include a Cold Steel Canadian Belt Knife and a KABAR Mark 1. Even when I’m running light on weekends, I’m never without my waved Spydies. This is my first run though your website and I’m happy to say you’ve got some great articles.