We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Do I Choose the Best Concealed Carry Purse?

By Cindy Quarters
Updated Feb 11, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

A concealed carry purse is a type of handbag that is designed for a woman to carry all of the normal things she might carry in her purse, but also has a place to hold a concealed handgun. When choosing such a purse, you should first look for one that suits your own personal sense of fashion, as these purses come in many different styles and colors. It is also important that your concealed carry purse fulfill the requirements as a place to carry your weapon, with a secure, easy-access holster area that keeps your gun separate from other items in your purse.

It is possible to find a concealed carry purse in many of the same styles that regular purses come in, including large, small, casual, and formal. When choosing one, be sure that the gun area is large enough to hold your gun, as some carry areas can be quite small. The compartment should also be secure so that nobody can glance into your purse and see the gun, and it cannot fall out or be grabbed by someone.

While it is important for the purse to be secure, carrying a weapon is no good if you can’t access it, so your concealed carry purse should hold your gun where it is easy for you to get to if you need it. A zippered compartment will usually keep the weapon hidden while still providing instant access. Check for well-made, easy-to-use zippers that won’t jam up just when you need them.

The opening should be large enough for you to comfortably reach in and grab your gun, ideally with quick-release straps inside that can hold the gun in one position so it is easy to grab every time. Zippers should close the compartment completely so that other items from inside the purse can’t fall into the carry area and get into the gun’s trigger or barrel, which could cause serious problems. The gun compartment should have an unobtrusive lock, though such a lock is not a substitute for proper management.

In addition to a place to hold your gun, a good concealed carry purse will have space for any necessary accessories, such as extra bullets and magazines. Carrying straps should be well-sewn and sturdy, to make it harder for anyone to grab the bag and run with it. Straps that are long enough to fit over your shoulder can also help you to hang onto your bag by always keeping it close to you, as can a snug wrist strap. The seams of the purse should be very sturdy and capable of holding the extra weight of the gun, which will help the purse to last much longer than an ordinary purse would under the same circumstances.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Terrificli — On Apr 30, 2014

@Vinzenzo -- you'd be surprised how many people will choose the absolute wrong gun when it comes to concealed carry. I do agree -- pick the gun, then the purse in which to conceal it.

How can you pick the ideal conceal carry pistol? Do some research on the Internet or ask your local gun dealer. Heck, those might be good sources to find our ideal concealed carry purse, too.

By Vincenzo — On Apr 29, 2014

It's also a good idea to determine the type of pistol you want before getting a concealed carry purse. Here's what I mean -- a concealed carry pistol should be small, easy to use and devoid of hardware that will snag on a zipper or other obstacles when drawn (a hammer on a revolver, for example, could be a problem).

The point in mentioning these things is that some concealed carry purses have huge spaces in which to hold a pistol. You don't necessarily want to conceal a pistol big enough to fill that space. You're better off with a small, powerful pistol that you can grab and use quickly rather than a large, clumsy one that is both heavy and hard to yank out of a purse.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.