Hobbies occupy time, inspire learning, and provide experiences. Whiskey has a lot of hobbies and interests. He got into shooting several years ago. This was a learning experience at first, now it is a bit of an obsession (Wine's opinion LOL!). He started off with training classes and taking the basic NRA courses, shooting at local ranges and then participated in 3-Gun competitions at a Pemigewasset Valley Fish & Game Club in Holderness. (2020 put the kibosh on this)
3 Gun Nation highlights types of competitions.
The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is the governing body of a shooting sport that simulates self-defense scenarios and real life encounters.
Once Whiskey became immersed in shooting he brought me, Wine, along to learn to shoot handguns. In NH we have constitutional carry which makes carrying a concealed handgun legal without a permit. Maine and Vermont also have constitutional carry. This makes it legal for us to travel in these states with firearms. (These are the other states which have constitutional carry laws.)
I have learned to shoot semi-auto pistols and revolvers (I also took training courses). The easiest to shoot for me is the Smith & Wesson 1911. Its heavy weight and long slide mean less recoil, making it easier for me to hit a target. It's great for the range, but in real life, racking the slide takes strength. So for me, that didn't seem to be a viable option for a carry gun. I wanted protection with a firearm you don't have to remember whether the safety is on or off, whether the hammer is cocked or not, and whether or not there is a round in the chamber - all concerns with a 1911 pistol.
I chose the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 revolver because it ready to shoot without any of those concerns. I have no intention to ever need to use this, but I do want to be prepared and confident if I do.
I carry in a handbag. I also have the bellyband to carry, but I just don't feel the need to do that on a daily basis.
Practice is important. We took our carry guns to the range to shoot. We spent just about 20 minutes shooting.
It is a huge responsibility to carry a firearm. I took a firearms training class by NRA Women at shooting range. It was a class taught by women and attended by women. If you are at all thinking about getting into shooting, take a class and watch videos on line.
To learn the laws for traveling with firearms buy the book Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States – Gun Laws for the 50 States (gunlawguide.com). It is updated every year.