It’s hard to get a concealed weapon permit in New York. In fact, only around 0.6% of New York’s adult population has a permit to carry a gun.
Luckily, Maggie K. was one of the few who were able to get a permit to carry a gun.
At the time, Maggie was a 56-year-old woman with a permit to carry a .357 handgun.
Living in New York, she was concerned about muggings, and Maggie believed she was more of a target because she used a wheelchair.
Maggie had lived in the same NYC building for over twenty years and was known as a tough lady.
She regularly left her NYC apartment in her wheelchair with her dog on her lap and her concealed .357 handgun.
One neighbor said, “I wouldn’t assume that if she got mugged, she would let someone just take her stuff.”
One day around 3 p.m., within moments of leaving her apartment, Maggie felt someone grab her from behind.
The man grabbed at her pocketbook and necklace. But Maggie refused to let go of her pocketbook.
As the man choked her and struggled with her, Maggie pulled out her gun and fired.
The man was hit in the arm and transported to a local hospital in stable condition. He was charged with robbery.
Maggie was also taken to the hospital for bruises to her arms and neck. She said, “I’m tired, I’m really tired. He tried to mug me, so I shot him.”
According to police, Maggie has no criminal record. She also had a permit for her gun, so she did not face any charges.
The man who attacked her had previously been charged with robbery. This was his ninth arrest and he had spent several years in prison.
Now, being armed when you have physical limitations can be a challenge. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry a gun for protection.
As we age, we can experience reduced strength, poor vision, and limited motion.
Considering this, here are a few things you can do to make carrying a weapon easier as time marches on.
Small is not better:
As we age, some shooters think that going with a smaller pistol or smaller caliber will make it easier to shoot, but this is not necessarily true.
Smaller guns are often harder to hold onto because of the smaller grip.
Also, the recoil on a smaller firearm can be more difficult to handle if your hands are weaker.
For instance, a 1911 style 9mm might be a better option compared to a compact Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm.
Ideally, you want to find a gun that minimizes recoil and muzzle rise.
Subsonic ammunition:
Subsonic rounds are bullets that travel below the speed of sound. These bullets usually travel around 1100 feet per second.
Using subsonic ammo will help prevent the shock of firing the round.
Plus, the bullet will travel slower as it leaves the barrel, which creates less recoil for the shooter.
Depending on the specific gun and ammo, the recoil can be reduced by around 35% using subsonic rounds.
Hornady and American Eagle both make quality subsonic ammo.
Belly band:
After you find the right gun and ammo, you need to choose the right holster.
When you have physical limitations, one of the best holsters you can use is a belly band.
A belly band allows you to put the gun wherever you want on your waist, so you can position the firearm exactly where you can reach it.
Belly bands are soft, lightweight, and attach around your waist with Velcro. They are easy to take on and off and position any way you want.
A lot of companies make belly band holsters such as CrossBreed and ComfortTac.
As we age, we should be realistic with our physical limitations. But always keep in mind that there are plenty of options when it comes to carrying and using a firearm.
Acknowledge what you are physically capable of doing and adjust what you do in order to keep carrying a gun and protect yourself.
But it’s not just carrying a gun and shooting that you may need to modify as you age…
Self-defense and training, both with empty hands and knives, also may need modified…
Plus, you might need to alter what you put in your go-bag, and how heavy or light you make the pack, to accommodate your physical limitations…
Or you may even need to make a change to your home defense plans to ensure they’re up to date with your current situation.
