Elderly people can be easy targets for criminal attacks because criminals may think they will be less likely to resist or less likely to be armed. Older people can however be as tough a target as is younger people, providing they are properly prepared.
Concealed carry, or carrying a concealed weapon (CCW), is carrying a firearm in a concealed way in public, either on one’s person or in close proximity.
Here are more ideas to help elderly people to become improved defensive shooters:
Use the most powerful handgun that you are trained and comfortable with. While you may feel that you are no longer able to manage a .357 Mag. or similar firearm due to infirmities, you can just scale down to a 9 mm Luger or similar, depending upon your abilities. While a smaller caliber may not be as capable, they are better than nothing. The lighter the calibre however, the more vital bullet placement becomes, so you must practice more to get the best possible bullet placement, training will always remain key!
Consider changing your carry position from the more defensive technique like wearing the handgun behind the hip bone on your strong-side hip, to the appendix carry, which is still on the strong side but in front of the hip bone. Many elderly shooters has lost mobility in their joints and may struggle to draw quickly with their shoulders moving up and back. A cross-draw carry method (carrying on the front side of the body) may also work and will be easier for a quick presentation.
Dealing with fuzzy sight due to age may result in the sights on a handgun looking fuzzy, without a clear sight picture. If you use bifocal glasses, you may be able to use its close-range portion, or, if not, your optometrist can ground a corner of your glasses so that you can see the sights clearly through that portion of the lens.
Weakness in the hands and forearms due to arthritis or another ailment, may prevent you from working the slide on a semi-automatic firearm. The closer your hands are to your chest, the more strength you have in your hands and arms. Thus, learn to hold the firearm close and parallel to your chest, with the muzzle pointed to the side – albeit still in a safe direction. Put your support hand over the top of the firearm, in the area of the ejection port, and firmly grasp the slide with your whole hand. Then simultaneously pull the slide to the rear and push forward with your strong hand.
If you are too weak to run an auto slide, you might consider changing to a double-action revolver since the loading and unloading of such a revolver requires less strength. You can even have a professional gunsmith smooth up the action to make the double-action trigger pull easier.
Exercise to increase mobility and maintain body strength. It is critical though not to start an exercise programme without consulting with a physician if you have health issues. Something like a yoga class, especially for older people, is a great way to increase agility and mobility.
The most important thing is to continue to refuse to be a victim. Seek advice from other aging shooters and simply decide that you are tough, and not going to give up without a fight.
It is important to remember that his guide is intended to influence the mindset of individuals who may feel that they are no longer capable of defending themselves or others. Each individual may have different ways of approaching the mentioned challenges and the relevant training. This is just a guide to get the process going.
