CONCEALMENT 5 CONCEALMENT #5 Iain Harrison Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More The rise of the armed citizen over the past few decades is something that should get a whole lot more attention from the media than it does. Since 1990, we’ve gone from an estimated 2-million concealed weapon permit holders and 15 “shall issue” states, to around 16-million Americans who are licensed to carry, along with 11 states that have adopted “Constitutional Carry” — no license required. Hyperventilating bicoastal politicians still insist this will result in rivers of blood flowing in the streets, and yet, as the numbers of legally armed citizens increased, our rates of violent crime trended to the lowest they’ve been since the Eisenhower administration. On January 3, Representative Richard Hudson introduced H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would protect legally armed citizens from prosecution, should they choose to exercise their rights in such bastions of liberty as New Jersey and California. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn also introduced a bicameral bill in early March, and, while there is a significant difference between the two that will need to be reconciled, there’s a better than even chance both will make it out of committee. Right on cue, Senator Charles Schumer and his junior sock puppet vowed to “fight it tooth and nail,” meanwhile briefing a credulous local media about how dangerous it would be to allow Americans to visit New York City while armed. Apparently, the 23 square miles of Manhattan are unique in the USA, and we must all surrender our constitutional rights upon crossing the George Washington Bridge. Their resistance is perhaps indicative of how badly CWW reciprocity would undermine the logically, morally, and practically untenable restrictions on the most effective self-defense tools we have. Of course, being surrounded by taxpayer-funded security details might cause a person to have a different outlook on life, but you might think that after the recent SCOTUS decision regarding gay marriage, the concept of recognizing licenses issued by other states might still be fresh in their minds. No matter the outcome in congress, it’ll be amusing to see staunch defenders of federal power arguing passionately for states’ rights. To preview the issue click here: Concealment 5 Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
