CCW Breakaways is more than an apparel brand. Its mission is grounded in a belief in personal responsibility and the moral duty to defend others. The company views concealed carry not as an act of aggression, but as a commitment to protect innocent lives.
In the modern landscape of public safety, violent crime often strikes without warning. From schools to shopping malls, from places of worship to neighborhood streets, attacks can unfold in seconds, leaving civilians vulnerable before authorities can respond. The events of December 2007 at New Life Church in Colorado Springs revealed this stark reality. A heavily armed attacker entered a sanctuary filled with worshippers. Yet the tragedy was curtailed not by a police response, but by a trained civilian who drew her firearm and forced the assailant to stop. Her preparedness prevented the massacre from becoming far worse.
Stories like these continue to shape America’s understanding of safety. While police remain the backbone of public security, it is often ordinary people, licensed, responsible firearm owners, who must act in those critical first moments. This is where innovation in concealed carry becomes more than a matter of convenience; it becomes a matter of saving lives.
In 2007, the same year as the New Life Church shooting, Jay and Georgann French founded CCW Breakaways in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Their vision was clear: create concealed carry apparel that addressed the shortcomings of traditional holsters. For decades, firearm carriers had relied on bulky waistband holsters that were uncomfortable when sitting, prone to revealing the outline of the firearm, and slow to draw from under stress.
Jay French, frustrated by these limitations, began modifying clothing to integrate holster functions directly into the fabric. What emerged was the patented “holster-pocket” system, a concealed carry design that prioritized speed, comfort, and discretion. The innovation earned multiple U.S. patents and attracted the attention of law enforcement, security professionals, military personnel, and everyday civilians who wanted reliable concealed carry solutions.
At the heart of CCW Breakaways is a simple but powerful idea: a firearm should be accessible the instant it is needed, without compromising concealment or safety. To achieve this, the company developed:
- Breakaway Pockets: Openings disguised as ordinary pockets that tear open instantly, allowing rapid access while preventing the hand from becoming trapped.
- Holster Positioning: Firearms are carried below the natural line of hip flexure, making sitting, standing, or bending comfortable and natural.
- SkinTight Holsters: Compression-fit designs with trigger guard protection that ensure secure retention and reduce the risk of accidental discharge.
- Anti-Print Shields: Barriers that conceal the outline of the firearm, even under light clothing.
This combination of features enables wearers to pre-stage a grip while the firearm remains invisible, cutting draw time significantly compared to conventional holsters.
The value of civilian readiness has been demonstrated repeatedly. In 2019, at a church in White Settlement, Texas, a volunteer drew his firearm and stopped a shooter within six seconds, preventing what could have been a mass casualty event. In 2021, an armed civilian at an Indiana mall halted an attacker who had already taken lives, saving many others.
These incidents mirror the lesson of New Life Church: a responsible, prepared civilian can become the last line of defense when law enforcement is minutes away. CCW Breakaways designs its products with precisely this reality in mind, helping carriers avoid hesitation and ensuring they are never slowed by inadequate equipment.
Jay and Georgann French articulate this philosophy through a Christian worldview: preparation is an expression of stewardship and care for one’s community. By equipping individuals with practical, discreet, and reliable apparel, CCW Breakaways contributes to a culture of resilience against violent crime.
Debates around firearms in America remain polarizing, but the record of civilian interventions cannot be ignored. Research indicates that armed citizens successfully intervene in a meaningful percentage of active shooter incidents, reducing casualties and sometimes ending the attack altogether. In these cases, the difference often comes down to preparedness and access speed.
CCW Breakaways addresses both. By eliminating the flaws of traditional holsters, it empowers civilians to respond quickly, discreetly, and safely. That contribution, while technical in nature, has profound social implications: more lives are protected, more tragedies are averted, and more confidence is gained for those who choose to carry.
CCW Breakaways stands at the intersection of innovation and responsibility. By designing apparel that ensures firearms are both concealed and immediately accessible, the company supports a safer, more prepared society. In a world where threats remain unpredictable, courage must be matched by preparation, and the right tools must support preparation.
When it comes to saving lives, CCW Breakaways proves that design matters.
