Selecting a concealed carry purse isn't as simple as casually picking out any fashionable tote and stashing your firearm in it. The process requires a thoughtful approach, a thorough understanding of your needs, and a keen eye for selecting specific features that set a superior carry purse apart from the rest.

So, what exactly makes a good concealed carry purse? Here's a helpful list of things to look for the next time you go purse shopping.

A Dedicated Compartment for Your Firearm

First and foremost, a good concealed carry purse needs to have a dedicated compartment for your firearm. Why is that so important? First off, it enhances safety and accessibility. A dedicated compartment ensures your firearm doesn't get tangled up with other items in your purse, reducing the risk of accidental discharge. It also allows for quick, easy access in case you need to defend yourself, which gives you a decisive advantage when every second counts.

A Secure Purse Holster

Even with a dedicated compartment, a good concealed carry purse needs to be in a holster that can be secured inside the purse (usually with velcro). Some purses already come with a universal holster that fits several gun types. These are a good place to start, but they won't offer the same fit as a holster made for your specific gun, since they usually don't offer full retention.

We strongly recommend using a dedicated purse holster built specifically for your gun model. These holsters feature velcro on one side of the holster and will attach to the velcro inside the purse.

Security Features

Having strong security features is another important aspect of a quality concealed carry purse. Some security features prevent unauthorized access to your firearm, ensuring that it's secure from curious hands, and others make it less likely your purse will be stolen.

Look for features like lockable compartments, which provide an added layer of protection and keeps curious hands out. Slash-resistant shoulder straps are another good feature to look for. These are straps that have additional cables in them that make it difficult to cut the straps.

Size and Organizational Features

The size of your concealed carry purse and its organizational features can significantly impact its functionality. A good concealed carry purse will have enough space for your firearm and other essentials like your phone, wallet, keys, and other self-defense tools. If you regularly carry a lot of items (besides your firearm), the purse should also have multiple compartments and pockets for efficient organization. This lets you quickly locate items without fumbling around, which helps you maintain good situational awareness.

Quality of the Material and Craftsmanship

The material and craftsmanship isn't just an aesthetic consideration, it directly affects the lifespan and reliability of your concealed carry purse. A good carry purse will be made from high-quality, durable materials that can withstand everyday wear and tear.

You may think that means you need to choose a leather carry purse, but there are several other options available that deliver both durability and style. Many concealed carry purses on the market today are made from high-grade nylon, microfiber, or even vegan leather, all of which are known for their durability and resilience.

Making sure your purse is well-crafted ensures it can handle the weight of your firearm (plus your extra stuff) without falling apart. This makes a big difference in the ability to use the purse in the long run.

Fashionable and Functional Design

A high-quality concealed carry purse shouldn't compromise style for functionality. Luckily, the purse designs of today offer an impressive array of patterns, colors, and styles that let you blend your personal fashion tastes with your practical needs. Remember, the best concealed carry purse is one that you'll love to wear. The more you love it, the more likely you are to use it.

Finding the perfect concealed carry purse involves striking a balance between practicality, security, and style. As you decide on your selection, keep the above factors in mind to ensure you're investing in a purse that best meets your needs while holding up the above standards.

Remember, you're not just buying a bag, you're investing in your safety. That's why choosing the perfect concealed carry purse might require a bit more time and effort than picking out an ordinary purse.

Shopping for a concealed carry purse can quickly get overwhelming since there are more options and features available than ever before. With so many different styles and features, which concealed carry purse should you choose?

While it might be tempting to choose a purse that is similar to the one you've used for years, it's much more important to choose one with the right safety features and conveniences. Here's some guidance on how to choose the right concealed carry purse, including which features are considered must-haves.

Mandatory Concealed Carry Purse Features

These are the most important features for any purse designed for concealed carry. These items need to be included for the purse to be considered safe: 

A separate compartment for your firearm: This is probably the most important feature — it's not safe to carry a firearm in a purse unless it's completely separate from everything else in your purse. Carrying a firearm in a purse or bag that isn't designed for concealed carry is downright dangerous — something can easily get caught in the trigger.

A purse holster: Even if a concealed carry purse has a dedicated compartment, your firearm still needs to be in a holster. Some purses come with a universal holster that fits several gun types. The holsters most purse manufacturers include with the bags are a place to start, but they will not be a perfect fit for many guns. They're usually made with nylon or elastic, so the gun won't "snap in" and they don't offer retention. We strongly recommend using a dedicated purse holster built specifically for your gun model. This type of holster has velcro on one side of the holster and will attach to the velcro inside the purse.

Optional Concealed Carry Purse Features

These are the features and accessories that makes carrying your purse more convenient and secure:

Locking zippers: Some carry purses come with locking zippers, which provide an extra layer of security. These zippers include keys to lock the zippers in place.

Cut-resistant metal wire: these slash-resistant wires are included inside the straps to give you added security. They make a purse resistant to someone trying to cut it off of you.

Material upgrades: The material of a purse is important to consider because you'll want something that will be durable, especially if you're in bad weather conditions. This can include features like genuine leather or high-quality faux leather, stitched seams, or waterproofing. Having these features helps a concealed carry purse stay in good shape over time.

Extra touches: some purses include special touches like rubber or metal feet, hidden internal pockets, or magnetic snap closures. These items make carrying a purse more convenient and can also make them look more stylish.

Concealed Carry Purse Styles

Now that you know what a purse needs to include, it's time to choose a style. There are many different styles available for purses with concealed carry capabilities. Here's a quick overview of the most common types:

Crossbody purses: these purses are designed with a long, adjustable strap so it can be be worn diagonally across the body. This design helps you protect your purse by keeping it closer to your body.

Clutches: these purses are generally smaller purses with a dedicated compartment and just enough room to carry your essentials. They're a good choice for minimalists and anyone who doesn't need to carry a lot of extra items.

Satchels: these purses can be formal or casual purses. They often have handles, and some include a strap so you have more choices on how you would like to carry it.

Totes: these purses are usually larger and can carry several other items. Besides a dedicated firearm compartment, they sometimes have multiple pockets inside so you can keep all your stuff organized.

Backpack purses: these hybrid purses come in all shapes and sizes and the larger ones are great if you have bulky items to haul around with you.

 To pick the right purse for your lifestyle, think about the purse you already own and how much you plan to put in it (other than your firearm). Then, consider your personal style — are you going for a more casual look, something that looks great from day to night, or a purse that works for special occasions?

The most important thing to remember when looking for a concealed carry purse is that the safety features are truly necessary. Make sure whichever bag you choose has all of these qualities, then use it with confidence knowing you'll have your firearm with you in case you need it.

No matter which purse you choose, remember that carrying a firearm in a purse requires a lot of responsibility. You must stay with it at all times and take it off your body as little as possible.

When done correctly, purse carry can be a good option - you just need to follow some basic rules and make sure you never stray from these guidelines. 

What You Need to Know Before Carrying Concealed in a Purse

First off, the regular purse you carry every day is not going to be the purse you use for concealed carry (don't even think about just tossing your gun in your everyday purse!).

You have to have a purse that can safely hold and secure your gun while allowing you to get your gun out of quickly if the need arises. Purses designed for carry have several special features like velcro strips and dedicated locking compartments that minimize safety concerns while allowing you to access your gun relatively quickly. 

Drawing from a Concealed Carry Purse

Once you're set up with a good concealed carry purse, it's time to start practicing with it. Drawing from a purse is more difficult than drawing from a holster, so it takes extra effort to ensure you can safely and quickly draw and shoot from it.

There are two main methods of drawing when using a purse:

Drawing from your strong side - carrying your purse on the same shoulder of your main shooting hand and drawing the gun from the back side of the purse. With this method, the gun will be pointing toward your target while at rest.

Cross-body draw - carrying your purse on the opposite side and reaching across your body to get the gun out of the purse. With this method, the gun will be pointing away from your target while at rest.

We recommend going to an experienced trainer to learn the safe way to draw from a purse, then practice both methods to see which one works best for you. If you're not able to put in the extra practice time, we suggest you use another carry method.

Other Cautions

"Just shoot through your purse" is a bad idea. Several tests have been done to show that there are many problems with this idea and in one test performed by concealed carry expert, Melody Lauer, the hit rate from shooting through a purse was around 69% with a malfunction rate of about 34%.

While purse carry is a more convenient option, remember that any type of off-body concealed carry will limit your access to your firearm when it’s actually needed. If you are in a situation where you are more at risk of having to use your gun in self-defense (having a stalker or restraining order, for example), 

If you're not used to carrying a purse around all the time, this may not be the best option for you. Above all else, you absolutely, positively have to keep the purse on you at ALL TIMES - no exceptions!

If you're not a purse person but you'd like to start concealed carrying in a purse, we recommend you spend at least a month carrying a "regular" purse to get used to having it on your body at all times. If you find that you're leaving your purse unattended or taking it off your body from time to time, another method of carry would be better for you.

Making Purse Carry Easier with the Right Accessories

Many concealed carry purses come with universal holsters, but those aren't always the right size or fit for every gun. To make purse carry easier and safer, choose a more specialized holster like this Kydex Purse/BackPack Holster which is molded for a more precise fit.

If you absolutely need to take your purse off your body (we know they can get heavy after a while), carry a purse hanger with you. A well-made purse hanger will slip easily onto a restaurant table or bar counter, forming a stable hook on which to hang your purse. If you're going to use a purse hanger, make sure your purse is hanging directly in front of you and do not walk away from it!

Gunsite's Il Ling New: How to carry and how to draw from your purse.

The message was unheard of from a public figure like Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright. After an attempted rape in a public park where kids fly kites and play soccer, the South Carolina Sheriff bluntly said what lots of folks think: “Our form of justice is not [working]. Carry a concealed weapon. That'll fix it." His advice to women was, “Don’t go for Mace. Go for the concealed weapons permit.”

Wright’s comments generated a global controversy when published in USA Today, the LA Times, the Huffington Post and the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail. Among many women, they also raised the dilemma of how to safely carry a firearm in style.

At Wright’s press conference, He held up a small fanny pack and said, “You can conceal a small pistol in here … there’s one called The Judge that shoots a .45 or a .410 shell.”

Suddenly, what once was a fashion faux pas was kind of cool again.

Indeed, there are many ways to conceal a firearm, plenty of them as effective as the lowly fanny pack and some downright classy. There are cell-phone look-alike cases, figure-flattering trench coats and casual hoodies with spy-caliber compartments.

There’s even a bra holster made from high-performance plastic to fit specific gun models. A soft strap attaches the mold to the middle of the bra, securing the gun just below the breasts. To access the gun, the user pulls down on the grip and the gun snaps out of the holster. With proper training and practice, FlashBang designers claim that even a novice can retrieve, aim and fire in 1.5 seconds.

Statistics suggest, however, that most women who carry a handgun use a purse, because of fashion. Concealed-carry pants, shirts and jackets are available, although mostly for men, and women’s counterparts haven’t hit the runways of Los Angles, New York or Paris.

South Carolina firearm instructor Matt Lindler doesn’t advocate carrying a gun inside a purse, as purses are prime targets of thieves. They get thrown around, left unattended and plundered by kids. Purses also require a two-handed draw—one to hold the purse steady and the other to retrieve and fire the gun.

Another thing about purses, said Lindler: “If it fits, you’ll find it there— lipstick, keys, wallet, loose change. All those things get in the way of the gun, and when you need it, you need it now, not after you’ve unearthed it from the bottom of the heap. But I’d rather a woman carry in a purse than not carry at all.”

Kathy Jackson, an instructor at the Firearms Academy of Seattle, writes: “Carrying in a normal purse is rarely a safe option and is so slow to access that it simply should not be done if possible.” 

Although a purse may not be the ideal way to carry, it is often the most convenient way. Thus, the accessories industry has responded to this need. Many companies make bags specifically for concealed carry. They look like ordinary purses from the outside, but what’s inside makes the difference. 

As the name suggests, many concealed-carry purses have sewn-in holsters that keep the gun secure and in the proper position, so that when you reach for it, the muzzle and grip are in the same position. Other features specific to most carry purses include: side access for discreetly gripping the gun while walking, strong wide straps and a lockable compartment to keep out curious kids.

The cardinal rule is to put safety first. If you carry concealed in a purse, “you must use a dedicated compartment that holds the gun and only the gun,” said Jackson. As bizarre as it sounds, a lipstick tube or mascara wand could get caught in the trigger guard and press the trigger. Stranger things have happened, which leads to these purse safety tips:

•  Secure your gun in a holster that covers the trigger and the guard.

•  Keep your purse with you when there’s a gun inside.

•  Practice drawing an unloaded handgun from the purse. Keeping it secure and in a dedicated location helps with speed and consistency.

•  A right-handed woman should carry the purse on her left shoulder and vice-versa. This technique allows her to reach across with her dominant hand to retrieve and fire. Most bags are designed for right-handers, so if the purse is marketed as ambidextrous, test it for comfort and efficiency.

•  Some purses can be carried traditionally or draped across the body so that the bag doesn’t slip off your arms. Some instructors suggest that carrying the purse cross-body also makes it harder to snatch.

•  Another school of thought is that carrying cross-body makes the purse a part of the user's clothing, freeing both hands.

•  Some purses are designed with steel-reinforced shoulder straps that deter slash-and-grab thieves from fleeing with your valuables. 

•  Size matters. Small purses require smaller handguns, which can be hard to shoot, awkward to handle and not powerful enough to do the job. Smaller purses also have smaller storage compartments, which make it more difficult to draw a gun. 

•  But bigger isn’t always better, either. While a roomier purse will carry a larger, more powerful gun that’s easier to handle and more comfortable to shoot, a stouter gun also is heavier. And the heavier the gun, the heavier the purse. You may be tempted to set it down and leave it unattended. 

The most important feature to look for is easy access, because a gun is no good if you can’t get to it. You’re not just buying another purse. You’re buying protection and peace of mind.

~~

By Chasiti Kirkland in American Rifleman

If you choose to carry a firearm concealed remember that YOU are responsible for your firearm at all times.  Many women choose to carry a firearm concealed in a purse. A valid concern with purse carry is control of the firearm. Your purse can be snatched away from you much more easily than a gun that is carried on your body. Because of these concerns, off the body carry in a bag or purse requires some specific attention.

NEED TO KNOW INFO ON CARRYING CONCEALED IN A PURSE

• Make sure your firearm and any ammunition (magazines, speed loaders, etc.) are secure in their appropriate compartments.
• Do not place any other items like keys, makeup, etc. in the compartment that holds your firearm.
• Keep your purse with you.
• Never leave your purse lying around or hang it on the back of a chair.
• Wear the bag containing your firearm or, if seated, hold it on your lap or firmly between your feet.

Because a bag can be carried in so many different ways, those who choose to carry a firearm this way need to keep some additional things in mind.

SHOOT TIP – PISTOL PACKING IN A PURSE AND DRIVING

• Take care when putting your purse down.
• Place your purse within easy reach but not anywhere where it could impede with your driving.
• Keep your bag close to you and never within reach of children.
• Orient the purse so that you will have quick access to the firearm but also ensure that the gun is pointed in a safe direction.
• Remember that carrying a firearm is a huge responsibility and that you are responsible for your firearm at all times.

~~

By Julie Golob. Shared with permission.