Shootin' It Straight - Heater in the Heat (FREE ACCESS)

We’re heading into the thick of the summer dredge, the kind of days when sweat glues your shirt to your back. These are also the days when many concealed carriers leave their firearm on the nightstand at home. Shorts and a light tee feel so freeing, and hey, you're only running to the store, right?

If only we had a crystal ball that could even slightly foreshadow when and where we might meet our adversary. If that were possible, then maybe leaving the carry pistol behind would be justified. But you know what they say about possibilities. Me neither. What I do know is that there's no magic at play when it comes to predicting our demise.

Sure, carrying an old G19, a Smith 686, or a similarly hefty piece can feel like lugging a sweaty boat anchor in 86° heat. But I’d argue it’s worth shedding a few pounds of body weight if it means strapping those ounces of steel back on. Even those of us in the “husky” category have no excuse.

The last ten years have brought an influx of small, easily concealable handguns. From the S&W Shield, SIG P365, trusty J-frame revolvers, and a host of others, there’s one that’ll fit your front pocket. Holster options are better than ever in both variety and quality. Ammo advancements have made .380 the new 9mm, and 9mm the new .40. With all these carry-friendly choices, there’s no reason to skimp, no matter your summer wardrobe.

Still need motivation? Turn on any news channel. Scroll through social media. Watch one of the countless documentaries on serial killers. Everyone believes “it won’t happen to me”,until you’re in the back of a van, headed to some deviant’s basement. Until riots hit your town. Until someone puts you on your knees in the back of a dollar store during a robbery gone wrong.

Shelve the excuses. Train and carry like your life depends on it, because it just might. If you value your family, carry daily, and do so with the knowledge and mindset required to act when it counts. Crime rates rise with summer temperatures. Civil unrest is just one bad decision away. Violent criminals, regardless of background or class, roam freely and unpredictably.

We likely only get a split second when our number is up. Let’s make sure we’re giving ourselves the best chance to survive, and to keep living life on our terms.

Wear your cargo shorts, tanks, leggings, or even a Speedo if you must. But at the very least, make sure that LCP Max, or something equally capable, is along for the ride. I'd personally recommend against the Speedo getup in your hometown.