Meet the Founder who SOLVED Concealed Carry for Gym Shorts (ft. Arrowhead Tactical)

Arrowhead Tactical founder Alexander joins State of the Second hosts Kailey and John to tell the story of a brand that started with a real problem he could not solve as a customer. Living in Atlanta and going to the gym at odd hours, he wanted to carry his firearm before, during, and after a workout, but elastic waistbands and drawstrings are not built to hold a gun. The belly bands and free-floating belts he tried did not perform. He saw athletic apparel for concealed carry, built for men, as a blue ocean, and launched in April 2020 with the Carrier Joggers, three colors and a first run of fewer than 500 units. Five years later the brand has expanded into shorts, pants, sweatpants, hoodies, and a women's line it is currently retooling, all built around its twice-patented waistband. Alexander breaks down the engineering and the philosophy behind it. The design takes a retention belt, turns it inside out, ties it to the apparel, and runs it all the way around the body so the load distributes and nothing shifts. He demonstrates the concept in his own content by carrying two Desert Eagles, roughly 11 pounds loaded. He also explains why his hoodies use pass-through pockets so a carrier can pre-stage a draw and speed up a first shot. His through line is that one of a brand's biggest competitors is inaction. If carrying is a hassle, the gun gets left at home, and a gun at home is no good. The conversation widens into hot takes and advocacy. Alexander argues that men carrying in crossbody bags may as well open carry because the look gives them away. Kailey counters that there is still nothing maternity-friendly in the gun space, calling it a million-dollar opening. The episode closes on GOA's mission. With Tennessee's Gold Day happening that day, Kailey makes the case that voting once is not enough. Show up for primaries and midterms, call your representatives, and keep the momentum going. She notes it takes about 30 seconds to send a message to your congressman through GOA's website. Alexander points listeners to arrowheadtacticalapparel.com. Links events.goa.org/goals Questions this episode answers What problem led Alexander to start Arrowhead Tactical? Training at odd hours in Atlanta, Alexander wanted to carry during workouts, but elastic waistbands and drawstrings could not hold a gun and the belly bands and belts he tried did not perform. He saw concealed-carry athletic apparel for men as an open market and launched Arrowhead Tactical in April 2020. How does Arrowhead's twice-patented waistband hold a firearm without sagging? The design takes a retention belt, turns it inside out, ties it to the apparel, and runs it all the way around the body so the load is distributed and nothing shifts. Alexander demonstrates the concept by carrying two Desert Eagles, roughly 11 pounds loaded. What was Arrowhead's first product and how small was the first production run? Arrowhead launched with the Carrier Joggers in April 2020, offered in three colors. The first production run was fewer than 500 units. Why does Alexander say men who carry in crossbody bags may as well open carry? He argues the crossbody bag is a giveaway, so the look telegraphs that the person is carrying. In his view that defeats the point of concealment, making it no different from open carry. What gap still exists for women in the concealed-carry apparel market? Host Kailey points out there is still nothing maternity-friendly in the gun space, calling it a million-dollar opening. Arrowhead has a women's line that it is currently retooling. How do the pass-through pockets on Arrowhead hoodies help with a draw? The pass-through pockets let a carrier pre-stage the draw with the hand already on the firearm. That setup speeds up the first shot. What was Alexander's path into firearms and what were his first guns? Alexander's first gun was a Colt LE6920 AR-15 that his mother bought in 2009. His everyday carry today is a Glock 19. Why is voting in the presidential election alone not enough for gun owners? Host Kailey argues that casting a ballot once and checking out is not enough; gun owners should show up for primaries and midterms and call their representatives. She notes it takes about 30 seconds to message your congressman through Gun Owners of America's website. Chapters 00:12 — Rapid fire questions 01:51 — Sponsor: Ammo Squared 02:46 — Getting mentioned on Joe Rogan 04:58 — The problem behind the brand 07:14 — Moving the business to Nashville 09:02 — From joggers to a full product line 11:38 — Engineering the waistband for weight 14:15 — Inaction is the real competitor 15:49 — Knowing the demographic 18:00 — Hot take: crossbody carry 24:53 — Gun owners as hoarders 27:43 — Where the women's market stands 31:38 — Alexander's gun journey 37:12 — Tennessee, the NFA, and advocacy 45:01 — Where to find Arrowhead About the guest Alexander is the founder of Arrowhead Tactical, which makes athletic apparel for safe and secure concealed carry of firearms. He grew up in Memphis, attended Vanderbilt where he met his wife, and lived in Atlanta for about four years before moving to Nashville. He launched Arrowhead in April 2020 with the Carrier Joggers, a first run of fewer than 500 units in three colors, and the brand is approaching five years. Arrowhead is built around a twice-patented waistband and was mentioned on the Joe Rogan show. Alexander's first gun was a Colt LE6920 AR-15 his mother bought in 2009, and his everyday carry is a Glock 19. Key quotes "Arrowhead makes predominantly athletic apparel for safe and secure concealed carry of firearms." — Alexander "I saw it as a blue ocean." — Alexander "the gun sitting at home is a gun that's no good." — John "We took the tried and true concept of a retention belt, turned it inside out, moved it to the inside of the waistband, and maintained that connection between belt and apparel." — Alexander "You don't have to mold your lifestyle around concealed carry." — Alexander "There is absolutely nothing that is maternity friendly in the gun space right now." — Kailey "it's not enough to just go cast, go cast your ballot and then check out." — Kailey