[Today we have the pleasure of a post from Fortress Instructor Tricia Ellison. Tricia regularly instructs women in the art of daily carry, and is known to not suffer fools. – Frank]

Recently, CNN decided to have their Senior Law Enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes, some might call him an “expert,” comment on how he thought there was no good way a woman could carry a gun while wearing a dress or skirt.

Here’s one thing he had to say…“If you wear a dress, if you wear a skirt, are you going to have to wear a jacket everyday with a belt and a holster, the way a detective on duty would do?” he asked. “It’s not a real practical solution for a variety of reasons.”

Well, the answer to Tom’s ridiculous question is NO!

Here’s a picture of me carrying my Smith & Wesson M&P Shield chambered in 9mm. Oh by the way, I’m also carrying a blade, flashlight and pepper spray. No jacket! No belt!

Listening to people like Tom put limitations on women is truly insulting. How dare he pigeon hole women and their defensive choices! So, if I’m not wearing pants I am incapable of defending myself? Talk about sexist! Where are all the feminists? As soon as we talk about self-defense female empowerment goes out the window.

Women are problem solvers. Women are masterful at creating solutions for how to carry their guns.

The truth of the whole thing is that carrying a gun in most cases will require some modification of your clothing, not much, but some tweaking here and there. The most common place for a person to carry is on their waistline with a holster that requires a belt. However, this is certainly not the only way to carry a gun. There are lots of other options out there for women; a simple internet search confirms that.

Clothing choices change on a daily basis for most women. Weddings, work, or a workout at the gym, all require different attire, and, along with it, different holster options.

My personal security is my responsibility; it’s up to me and me alone. I’ve made adjustments to my clothing and my lifestyle so I can carry my gun everyday. I won’t allow some “expert” to tell me what he thinks isn’t possible when it’s my life on the line!

The worst thing you can do is tell a woman she can’t, because she’ll turn around a find a way.

I encourage you to find what works for you. Tune in to those who are making it happen and tune out those with the narrowest of views. Women are out there making it happen, and you can too!

Tricia Ellison
Fortress Defense Senior Staff Instructor

If any women reading this have a daily carry question for Tricia, she may be contacted at Tricia@fortressdefense.com

Tricia, and Veronica “V” Newberg, will be presenting a Women’s Introduction to Defensive Handgun Class, Saturday, June 23, in Rochester, Indiana – there’s still time to sign up, click here to do so!