People leave the safety of their homes every day to go to work, shopping, the post office, or exercise, to name a few. They often believe they will accomplish their daily goals without inconvenience and seldom think about the potential challenges they may face throughout the day and how to solve them. I am not going to lie. Sometimes, I fall into that category, especially as a mother – and wife – and I prepare things for the family and leave the house to find out I left something behind. Therefore, I always carry a few things with me and keep others inside my car to be ready for most occasions.
Handgun. I usually carry my Walther PDP F-series Handgun in the winter and the Walther PD380 in the summer because it is a bit smaller and easier to conceal for petite people like me. I also carry an extra magazine in my pants or leggings pockets.
Carabiner. I prefer to have my car keys readily available by using a carabiner to hook them on my pant’s belt loops or a specific area inside my purse. It is also a great way to keep my keys in place at the range, preventing my car keys from falling from my range bag. Losing a tool or accessory during a competition might not pose as big a problem as losing my car keys – that would be catastrophic!
Pepper spray. I do not carry pepper spray all the time. But when I do, I attach it to my carabiner and car keys to keep it handy.
Pocket knife. Carrying a pocket knife has been a habit for years. They are essential tools for general use on the go, like fixing and opening things or cutting my apples (I eat apples daily). But they can also be instrumental in emergencies, like cutting a seat belt or using a first aid kit.
Watch. I am somewhat old school, so I choose one not attached to my phone to be phone-free several times daily. It is liberating!
With so many handguns available for women to carry nowadays, it comes down to your preference and what feels the best for you.
Purse. It’s been years since I adopted a minimalistic approach, even regarding the size of my wallet and purse. My daily use purses are generally medium- to small-crossbody ones. I find them versatile, as they allow me to use both hands for tasks, to carry items and to defend myself if necessary. Their design also makes them challenging for purse snatchers. While I don’t often carry concealed in my purse, when I do, it’s always in a crossbody one, like the Bulldog Convertible Crossbody Purse with Holster.
Wallet. Like many of you, I used to have a big wallet where I held a lot of stuff I rarely used. Now, I use a small wallet for a couple of credit cards, a driver’s license, IDs, cash and a small pocket for coins. I find my small wallet incredibly easy to use; it fits perfectly in the back pocket of my pants, providing me with comfort and convenience.
Medication. I usually take my daily medication on time. However, there have been times I have forgotten to take them, forcing me to go back home. For that reason, I put one-day’s worth of medications, including ibuprofen for headaches, wrapped in aluminum foil inside the coin pocket of my wallet on the rare occasions I forget to take my medication.
Breath Strips. I love the Listerine breath strips I can carry inside my small wallet, especially when I cannot brush my teeth after having lunch at a restaurant.
Personal items. I always carry lip balm and hand lotion because I love keeping my lips and skin soft and moist. Hand sanitizer and on-the-go tissues are a must inside my purse, not only for me but especially when I go out with my little one. Lastly, I always carry hand lotion with me.
While most of us focus on our everyday carry, it’s equally important to consider what we keep in our vehicles, especially given the significant time we spend in traffic. This section, though slightly outside the original scope of this post, is also important to consider in our daily lives. So, I’ll keep it brief and to the point. Here’s what I always have in my vehicle:
Please note that this is a partial list of items I carry – as it may change according to the circumstances, where I am going, and whether I am alone or accompanied. But it is a general everyday carry list I use. Some of this advice I learned from others, and others I figured out through trial and error. Nonetheless, I hope this serves you as a guide. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.
I would love to hear from you. Visit my website, if you have a question, comment, or you can leave a comment here and The WON will let me know.
About Gabby Franco:
Gabby Franco is an author, speaker, competitive shooter, and instructor recognized worldwide for her shooting skills and advocacy for the right to own and bear arms. Gabby is widely known for participating in the History Channel’s reality TV show “Top Shot,” where she became the only woman to advance to the finals. She is a firearms instructor, USPSA competitive shooter sponsored by Walther Arms and Primary Arms, and author of the book “Troubleshooting, Mastering Your Pistol Marksmanship.” Gabby is also a proud Army wife, a mother of one, and a Second Amendment rights advocate, working to educate and empower thousands of people through live and virtual training across the United States and Puerto Rico, hallmarked by her message of dedication, sportsmanship, and positive attitude. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and is working on her Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology. You can learn more about Gabby here.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
