Recently at a women's shooting event, I had a man approach my booth and tell me how off body carry was wrong, that women should only be on body carry.

His reasoning was valid, if your purse or bag is stolen, there goes your defense weapon too. 

My response was that there are times that women simply can not on body carry, also when just starting to conceal carry it is easier to carry (at least for me) in a purse.

I challenged him that more women should be encouraged to practice safer habits with their purses.

Carrying a purse is a common practice for many women around the world. However, it is essential to know that carrying a purse can be risky, especially in crowded or unfamiliar areas.

In this blog, we will discuss some practical tips that can help you practice purse safety and theft protection.

Do Not Hang Your Purse on the Back of Your Chair

One common mistake that many people make is hanging their purse on the back of their chair in a public setting.

This makes it easy for someone to grab it and run away. Instead, keep your purse close to you and place it on the floor or on your lap.

This is a big one! 

You need to have situational awareness when in public of where you sit down your bag. If you go to the bathroom while dining at a restaurant, take your bag with you.

The other guests at the table are most likely not aware of where you put your purse, and won’t be watching it while gone.

Use a Crossbody Bag

Crossbody bags are a great option for carrying your purse as they are more difficult to snatch from your shoulder.

They are worn across the body, and the strap can be adjusted to fit your body size.

Crossbody bags are available in various sizes, so you can choose the one that fits your needs.

Our favorite concealed carry crossbody is the Kinsey Rhea Rissa.  

Keep Your Purse Close to Your Body

One of the most important things to remember when carrying a purse is to keep it close to your body.

This means holding it in front of you or close to your side. You can also tuck it under your arm to make it more difficult for someone to grab it.

Personally I like to always carry my crossbody on my left hip.

It is a habit, because I am right handed and have my handgun easily positioned to grab with my right hand from my left hip where the purse is resting.

Avoid Keeping Valuables in Your Purse

It is advisable to avoid keeping valuable items in your purse.

Items like expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, and passports should be kept in a safe or hidden pockets.

This can help minimize the impact of losing your purse.  

Use a Purse with a Zipper or Snap Closure

A purse with a zipper or snap closure is more difficult to open and access by a thief.

It is recommended to use a purse with these types of closures rather than an open-top purse or one with a flap closure.

All of our bags at Kinsey Rhea zip close and our newest bags all feature a locking compartment on the concealed carry pocket. So you have the ability to lock up anything in your purse.

You can check out these locking features in our Kinsey Rhea Maddie Purse.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings is an essential part of carrying a purse safely.

Try to avoid carrying your purse in areas where there are a lot of people, or areas with a high crime rate.

Be alert and keep an eye out for suspicious individuals. Read more about Tips on Spotting a Predator & What To Do Next

Use a Purse with a Built-in Security Feature

Some purses come with built-in security features like a lock or RFID blocking technology. These features can help keep your purse secure and prevent someone from stealing your personal information.

In conclusion, carrying a purse can be risky, but taking the necessary precautions can help prevent it from getting stolen.

By using a crossbody bag, keeping your purse close to your body, and avoiding carrying valuable items, you can enhance purse safety.

Additionally, using a purse with a zipper or snap closure, being aware of your surroundings, not hanging your purse on the back of your chair, and utilizing a purse with a built-in security feature further contribute to keeping your purse safe and secure.

Check out our new Concealed Carry Purse Insert now available!