First time CCW - felt weird

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ejfalvo

New member
Got my CCW last week and carried for the first time today. LCP in holster in front pocket - couldn't see it there from any view in full length mirrow. Felt fine leaving house, all was well until......as soon as I ran into people I felt as if everyone was looking at my firearm. It was a very uncomfortable feeling.:(

So, when does the self-conscience feeling go away?
 
that would probably depend on how long you can continue to worry about whether or not someone might have looked at you long enough to guess that you might/might not... have a gun in your pocket:rolleyes:
 
If you carry all the time even in the house, after a month you will forget that you even have it in your pocket.
 
it doesnt take long.

heck, i've been carrying pretty much daily for nearly 25 years.. i feel weird when i DONT have it on me
 
It'll get more and more comfortable. Think about it this way, how much do you look to see if other people are ccw? My guess is, not that much although probably you may be now just because you are too. Chances would have it that no one is really looking that closely at you either. I would guess that 90% of the people who will notice are the people who carry as well so to them it's no big deal anyway. Today, people have phones, key chains, flashlights, multi-tools, etc. all hanging off their waist/belt, so unless you bend over and the butt is sticking out, most people will just take it for granted that it's one of these other items. The other side of the coin is, so what if they see it, or THINK they see something. You're licensed, you're acting within the laws and within your rights. Congrats to you for taking this step in protecting both yourself and those around you. A little time and it'll be as common to you as wearing your watch.
 
You did it wrong.....

Stolen from this thread......

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388573&highlight=walmart

Rules for the "Wally Walk"

So you got your CHL.

We assumed that you have already chose a proper holster, mag pouch (or suitable combination of substitutes) and cover garment and played dress-up in front of a mirror a couple of hundred times. But now, it is time to go live in the real world. It is time for you to go to WalMart!

1) You must park your vehicle at least 50 yards from the entrance of a regular WallyWorld (75 yards for a SuperCenter.) As you head for the entrance, you must perform a scan of the area including checking under parked vehicles for BG’s (Bad Guys.) Remember, grandma in an electric wheelchair is not a drive-by threat.

1A). Upon exiting car, surrepititiously adjust sidearm. Now don't touch it again unless your pants are about to fall off. Then tighten your belt

2) You MUST drive the shopping cart. No substitutes are allowed. Negotiating aisles full of screaming kids dropping cans of Chef Boyardee while Mom is on the cell phone and trying the latest Rosie O’Donnell Makeup & Fragrances is a good test of patience and self-control.

3) No quickies! Your stay at WallyWorld must last no less than 45 minutes. You can hang out in automotive and even double check the Rapala lures to see what’s new to kill an allotted rest time of 10 minutes. The rest of the time you must be on the move. An exception is made if you are with your significant other and she goes for the White Sale madness. You must park, wait and be ready to back your mate if things get hairy with the pillow throws or allergenic bedspreads.

4) You are gonna buy stuff so pick items from the top and bottom shelves to test your cover garment. Your mate can assist you and point out any deficiencies. If you are alone and store security or the cops have not arrived by the time you check out, you passed this test.

5) Check out: make sure you choose the busiest register. People will stand in close proximity and you must bear it with patience and avoiding contact. Beware of the people suddenly remembering a forgotten item and sending their mates to fetch it. They usually will brush against you on the way to get it.

6) Meal Time! If your WallyWorld serves Nachos, go ahead and get yourself a big serving of the suckers and wash it down with a Sam’s cola. If McD’s is the choice at the premises, get fries, onion rings, apple pie and a large Coke. ALL MEALS MUST BE CONSUMED ON SITE! No To-Go’s or you will be disqualified.

7) When you leave, repeat the scanning of the parking lot. Remember that now you are also dealing with a shopping cart that rattles like and old train and wants to go right all the time. Do not lose track of your surroundings because of this. If you have a car, open the trunk and introduce all your bags while facing outwards. Pick up Trucks: lower the tailgate and do the same. Keep scanning, you never know where the BG’s might be.

8) REMEMBER: Yellow lights = WallyWorld Security. Red Lights = Cops.

9) - Make test fall on floor in busiest area - near register or anywhere crowded. See if concealment can still be maintained. If you lose that then go back to GO and do NOT collect $200

10) Restroom break (even if you don't have to go), go through the motions, figure out what your going to do with your gun, while sitting on the commode


Thanks to hoytinak et all....
 
Congradulations, so long as you take just reasonable precautions, not even above that you should be fine.

People are amazingly unobservant...

Enjoy...

:)
 
If you come to SE Arizona, and open carry a full sized Blackhawk in a western rig for a week, the self-consciousness with concealed carry will evaporate forever.

I open carry a lot, so concealed is pretty easy. I don't care whether anyone notices or not, and they never do. As far as I know, I've never been "made" while carrying concealed.

I have, on occasion, stopped by Home Depot, Fry's, or other stores on my way home from the range. Not wanting to leave the handgun I was wearing in the vehicle, I just leave it on my side.

Seriously, nobody even seems to notice a full sized Ruger .45 Colt on my side.

Daryl
 
One tip, be aware of what you do with your hands. Some folks watch your hands and if you are constantly touching your concealed weapon they'll notice, even if it is well concealed.
 
So, when does the self-conscience feeling go away?
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The feelings of self-consciousness are inversely proportional to the feelings of self confidence. Thus, as you become more self confident in carrying, concealing, and handling your concealed weapon your self consciousness will dwindle.

Keep your hands away from your concealed weapon and pretty soon things will get better for you.
 
So, when does the self-conscience feeling go away?
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The more you carry, the quicker it will go away. I'm sure you felt like everyone was looking at you but you'll soon see that most people are pretty much oblivious to their surroundings.
 
Congrats! At first, you'll be sure everyone can see the outline of your weapon and that every movement flashes it. You will KNOW everyone is pointing at you - "He's got a gun!" The more you wear it, the more comfortable you will be with it. If you have a truly GOOD holster/belt
combo, you will hardly notice it. You will learn to "dress around the gun". Dark colors and patterns are your friend, as are loose-fitting shirts. You will lean to stop constantly adjusting the holster. In fact, if the holster/belt is the proper fit, you won't need to. You will gradually stop touching the butt with your elbow just to assure yourself that it's still in place. You will learn to give a little extra clearance on your carry side, and to reach overhead with your weak-side hand. You will learn to stoop or kneel rather than bend. You will learn to move through crowds with your strong side to the rear. In short, you
will learn.
 
With a proper belt and holster in place, when you no longer feel the weight of the gun you will quit worrying about it.
 
A little "something" for thought...

As I said above, I open carry quite a bit. As a result, I'm used to having my handgun in that spot.

But there are days when I carry concealed. On several of those "occasions", I got somewhere along my way, and suddenly realized that my carry gun wasn't in it's "usual" place in an OWB holster at 3:30.

And for just an instant, I felt a bit "naked" without it being there; it just lasts long enough for me to remember that I put it somewhere else. Under my left arm, IWB at 1:00, or in a pocket.

I'm actually so used to carrying in the various locations that I carry (depending on my clothing and needs for that day) that I truly don't "feel" the gun even being there.

CCW will get easier the more you carry. Trust me.

Daryl
 
felt weird

You say you "felt weird" in your CW class.
I have been shooting since 1959. When Virginia passed a provision of no handguns in vehicles, I went for the CCW permit.
I was 67 years young. When you get old you have good days and bad days.
That day was a BDA DAY. During the test I made an 85%, just from my experience.
 
Congratulations on taking the first step to utilize your Second Amendment Right.

Every Instructor I ever had has said the same thing; "If you're going to carry, carry every day." I had taken that advice to heart and now offer it to everyone I teach for the CCW Permit.

If you have the proper gun (only you know what you are comfortable with), you should experiment to find what works for you. If it's pocket carry, stay with it. That feeling of self-consciousness will pass and soon you won't even think about that gun in your pocket until the time comes that you need to.

I prefer my gun in a belt holster, strong side, and a two spare mag carrier on the weak side. With little exception, I wear that everywhere and everyday. I never feel out of place or think other people are looking at my gun. I do become aware, for example, when I go into the Post Office (a Federal Building) and leave the gun in my vehicle. That makes me uncomfortable and aware that I don't have my gun.

With a little practice and routine, soon you will be more aware of not having your gun when than having it. Good luck and be safe.
 
i feel weird when i DONT have it on me
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Same here. I've been carrying for about 8 years or so. The weird feeling that everybody was watching me lasted only a couple carries. Within the first week, I was fine and realized nobody else was watching me that wasn't before.:rolleyes: Now, as was said, I feel almost naked without it.;)
 
I’m now so accustomed to carrying that I sometimes fall asleep in the recliner with it.

Also, I always carry when out and about because Murphy’s Law says the one time I don’t will be the one time I’ll need it.

I did the Wally Walk and just knew everyone was pointing at me behind my back and whispering, “That man has a gun.” I expected Security to show up any minute.

However, I hadn’t seen the Official Wally Walk Requirement as posted herein and later learned I didn’t execute the correct Wally Walk; I didn’t go to McDonalds nor reach cans on the high shelf.

My main fear was to meet the Hugger Lady from church and have her think I was glad to see her. :D
 
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