How do you feel when you CC?

I FEEL PRETTY MUCH INVINCIBLE. So there. Been doing it for nigh on 40 years now. Never a shot fired in anger.
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That would be a bad way to feel because being armed definitely does not make you invincible. Feeling that way, especially someone new to CCW, might cause you to do something stupid. I started carrying 40 years ago back in my police days. I am at least as careful while carrying if not more so than if I wasn't carrying. I try to keep aware of my surroundings and if I see something suspicious, I will avoid it if possible. I definitely try not to be confrontational. I don't feel I have to prove my manhood so won't argue or get in a huff over some minor incident.
 
Looks like it is pretty much unanimous. All of us felt a bit weird when we first started carrying, but then after we found out folks weren't running away and calling 911, it became a part of our own self that we feel completely naked going without.

I get to carry about 7 months of the year in Idaho, and then I go back to CA where I can no longer carry and have no hope of this changing any time soon. I truly hate the feeling of not having my EDC in my right front pocket. My wife feels better when I have my little Ruger and she often asks me if I am packing especially if we are going some where after dark. Up there, she wonders if a bear is going to approach us. Here in Ca, she is afraid of the creeps. We are working on getting out of CA completely, but that is still a bit away for at least one or two more years at a minimum. When we accomplish this last move, I will be able to carry everywhere I go, every day.

I am even working on getting my wife CCW qualified first teaching her to be comfortable with a revolver. I am in line to buy the SP101 .22 LR for her and get to teaching the basic fundamentals to her. Although a .22 LR is NOT the greatest CCW gun, it is still a lethal weapon and with her carpal tunnel syndrome and recoil intolerance, it may be the best I can get her to feel comfortable with.

Life carrying is an American privilege that few other nations have any concept. The right to carry does in many ways make us American, self reliant, self sufficient and independent. It is the way it should be.
 
except for checking to make sure my hoodie/shirt wasn't riding up, it doesn't bother me much. Walk around the house with it for awhile. It will feel more natural.
 
I've carried every day for 31+ years. It's such a natural part of my life-style that I would really feel funny without a pistol on or near me. I have no known enemies, live in a decent neighborhood and am not paranoid. I'm a retired police officer who is just vigilant and very protective of those who are around me. Other than my wife & kids (and you fellas on here), nobody knows I carry. I've never printed, flashed or announced when I was out & about that I was armed. It's been something that I tried hard not to ever convey, but after all this time, it's very, very natural now.

I guess to sum all that up in one sentence, I carry everyday and everywhere & it makes me stay vigilant, but in a relaxed & responsible kinda way.
 
ive been carrying for about six months now my first few weeks i carried on and off pretty much to places i felt comfortable carrying but after a while i started carrying everywhere i went. i recently sold my carry pieces xdm 45 and keltec pf9 to buy a car it lasted about 4 days i couldnt stand not carrying i felt naked and helpless lol. so i traded a spare "fun" rifle i had laying around for an ria 1911 tactical this was last night and the ria hasnt left my side yet. i brought it to the range put 400 rds through her 300 wwb and 100 hornady jhp ran flawless. youll get used to it sooner or later.
 
I just recieved my permit yesterday and today's the first carry day. When I read this thread, I just realized that I have already completely forgotten I am even carrying! One hour into the day and already feels normal. 642 in an IWB Hume holster, very comfortable, even though I know I have it I can't see anything so I can't imagine anybody else will. Will probably step up to my Sig P250sc (more rounds) as soon as I can check it out with some HP ammo. Actually I'm more concerned about some pepper spray in my pocket and inadvertently reaching in setting that off.
 
The more often and frequently you carry the more natural it becomes... Sooner or later you will realize if you had a third eyeball in the middle of your head most people wouldnt notice... Its not an excuse for sloppy carry but when you do eventually discover that one early morning your shirt or whatever wasnt quite covering everything its still usually not a problem...
 
I always worry about printing, although in Texas it is INTENTIONAL unconcealment that is a problem. My pocket holster and S&W 642 is no problem, but I have a bulge carrying the CA 44 Spl Bulldog. I still try to avoid going to Walmart and some of them have 30.06 signs I don't go to at all. This week I heard a phone call across the scanner regarding someone with a gun in a shoulder holster who was at a local dollar store. I heard them trying to get the guy stopped, and afterwards learned they released him so he must have had a permit, and maybe accidentallly exposed his
guns under a coat. :)
 
It felt really heavy, and I felt everyone could see it. Then, while I was standing in line at the checkout, some little boy kept pointing at me and trying to get his dad's attention, "Daddy! Daddy!"

Not two aisles away was a fully-clothed cop buying some potato chips.

I was sweating.

So I immediately dropped my items and got out of there. I drove to my local gun shop and traded the Desert Eagle .50AE I'd been carrying for a S&W snubbie.

Been fine ever since.
 
Right now, I feel no different than I would normally feel...actually, maybe a little more proud; however, when I first carried I was nervous about printing, mainly due to living in a non open-carry state, and it being illegal to have it visible (now laws have passed that this is no longer illegal).

I think the sad thing is that a part of society looks at firearms and self defense as if it's such an evil thing that some people may feel ashamed if someone were to notice they were carrying - ashamed to practice a god given right.
 
Every state has it's own laws - at least mine allows CC (now) and has allowed OC. I can't really break a law as long as I stay out of certain prohibited places - not hard. So if someone sees the gun I might get some flack but as long as I have my permit I'm okay.

But I work around people who would be very uncomfortable with me carrying. So although we can carry we need to be discreet to avoid creating what would be a disturbance. I understand how they feel since it wasn't long ago I would have agreed with them.

I don't agree that carrying is some kind of god-given right but it is currently legal so I'm happy to carry (people all seem to feel these "rights" must be allowed unless it's someone else's "right" to do something that they for whatever reason don't agree with - a "perfect society" is in the eye of the beholder and for some reason always seems to agree with what that beholder wants).
 
I used to be overweight. Carrying a 1911 cured that. Yeah, it added 2 pounds, but now I'm a foot taller! ;)

Seriously, though, most people get jittery when they start carrying, thinking everyone is looking at them. No one is looking. They get over it in a few months.
 
I feel like a god when i carry.But seriously i don't really pay it no mind,feel kind of naked when i don't carry, and dread anything happening.
 
I just read this entire thread, about "feelings", when one carrys. :rolleyes: It would make a good topic for "Dr. Phil" or "The View", or some other sensitive, tissue box, TV program. If it bothers you to carry, then don't. But otherwise, MAN UP! You carry a wallet, you carry keys.... just carry it...!

I'll won't be surprised when this thread gets closed.
 
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feelings...nothing more than feelings... ;)

If you're new to carrying, you're probably a bit nervous and self-conscious. You'll get over it, especially when you realize most people aren't thinking about you at all and are totally oblivious to what's going on around them anyway.

If you're not comfortable carrying after some time passes, don't do it. It will become the normal state of being for most folks, in a short time.
 
I feel like a god when i carry.But seriously i don't really pay it no mind,feel kind of naked when i don't carry, and dread anything happening.
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You aren't a god though. Feeling like a god is one thing, but acting like a god could cause trouble when there didn't have to be any.

I rarely carry on my person, but when I do, I am extra polite or neutral. There is no point in creating a situation or boldly walking into a bad environment just because you could "fix them". The amount of trouble resulting from it may not be worth it.

Also, I don't feel naked in normal situations without a gun, because I am situationally aware and physically very well conditioned and trained. People should not neglect the idea of their bodies being effective weapons. They certainly can be. And the mind is a weapon and shield also.
 
The only time it bothered me was the only time I wore a fanny pack.

Once and never again. Now it bothers me when I can't carry. I have a wardrobe that accommodates carry and a selection of carry guns for different dress circumstances.
 
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