Paranoid About Carrying

T

thunderbird101

New member
I recently got my Concealed Carry Permit and carry a Bersa Thunder .380 IWB. However, as I am new to carrying, whenever I go out in public I am paranoid that someone is going to spot my sidearm! I am constantly brushing my hand up against my side to make sure my shirt is down and covering everything up! (like that's not going to give it away! :rolleyes: )

I know this is somewhat crazy of me, but whenever I go out in public I feel like a criminal! :p
I am concerned as to how people will react if they see that I have a gun; even though I am a law abiding citizen, perception is everything. Does anyone have any comments on this?

Has anyone ever carried & been spotted before or know of anyone who has? If so, how did people generally react?

Thanks!
 
CCP

First of all congrats on your ccp, And remember it is a privledge. Also remember as a law abbiding citizen you have the right to carry. You also stated you feel like a criminal when carrying? Remember criminals don't have the right to carry legally. I have had my permit for many years and its great to be able to carry anywhere in my state, of course with the exceptions of school areas, federal buildings, etc. So remember don't feel guilty about carrying its your right.
 
99% of people are too unobservant to ever notice if you are carrying.
I have been stopped by police officers while open carrying (to talk about something else). They notice my gun but have no reason to question me about it since I mind my own business and behave like a law abiding citizen. I make no effort to hide my gun and I don't do anything stupid so they see no threat.
I also carry concealed sometimes but have never been spotted that I know of.
With all rights come responsibilities. Nobody should feel guilty about exercising their rights as long as they accept those responsibilities.

GAR
 
If you feel uncomfortable wearing your concealed gun then do not do so. I have a concealed carry permit, but I generally do not carry a gun.

The purpose of my concealed carry is to facilitate me concealing my gun in my vehicles or boats since I live in a very remote area.

There are other ways of carrying your gun such as a briefcase.
 
No one will notice.

Really.

No one.

If anyone does, it's likely to be a fellow carrier, and they're not going to care.

Most people wouldn't see your gun if it was on a chain around your neck.
 
I am the same way. I got my CCP a long time ago, still haven't carried once. Every time I think about it I always decide not to.
 
turbotype87 said:
And remember it is a privledge. Also remember as a law abbiding citizen you have the right to carry.
Click to expand...

Ummm.... turbotype87..... which is it? A privilege or a right?

thunderbird101,
It would help to know what state you are in, because that changes our answers. But, in general, I think your feelings are natural and something you will get over. I live in Washington state, so a visible firearm is no big deal at all. I open carry 95% of the time and about 95% of that 95% of the time nobody either notices or nobody cares. So, my first comment would be don't worry so much about whether or not people can detect your gun. To be honest, they aren't looking for it anyway. Even if you were wearing it right out in the open, if nothing else about you attracts attention, chances are they would miss your gun anyway.

If you live in a state like New York, New Jersey, California... people might be concerned at the sight of a gun. The biggest thing you can do is act like the normal, law abiding citizen that you are. If you do have an encounter with police, do your best to remain calm, regardless of how the police are acting. I've survived three police encounters while carrying and it's not nearly as dramatic as you would think. Two were specifically because of the gun and one was a traffic stop. None of them even took my gun during the stop. And, of course, the chances of having the police encounter because of the gun carrying concealed is minute.

The public around here in Washington state is more curious about the gun than against the gun. Remember, the anti-s only seem to be such a strong force because they clamor so loudly. Look at all the laws being passed in the states relaxing gun control, the public opinion polls, and the court decisions that have been going our way. The mass majority of Americans are fed up with being victims and are realizing the government is not going to protect us.
 
Congratulations. At first it feels like everyone in the world knows that you are carrying a gun and it sticks out like a sore thumb. After while it becomes a normal part of your wardrobe and you feel naked without it. Most people would not even notice it if you were open carrying, so don't worry about it. Too many people carry all sorts of stuff on their belt so a little bulge is not unusual. Do make an effort to keep it concealed but don't stress over it. Carry whenever you can.

A friend and I were at an arts festival (lots of non-2A people there) when I noticed that her firearm was exposed. She carries at 1:00 and her blouse had gotten hooked on the butt of the gun and it was hanging out for all to see. I watched for a while to see if anyone notice but no one seemed to. After about ten minutes I told her about it and all was right with the world again.

I routinely carry a 1911 and cover it with just a t-shirt. The only problem I have ever had was when I sat down in a booth at a restaurant and it made a very load (to me) thud when it hit the back of the booth. No one even looked up.
 
Well, if you get "made" then you have your license to back you up. It felt funny to me for the first few weeks and then I got to the point where I don't even give it a second thought. Try wearing it around the house and on your property until you get used to it. If the gun is constantly exposing itself give some thought to your holster and manner of dress and adjust accordingly.
 
Most people are unaware of their own situation, must less enough to notice that you might be carrying IWB.

I understand being nervous at first, I think virtually all CCW folks were the first time they carry. Hell, I've carrying for years and still make sure my shirt is covering every thing. But, the more you carry, the more comfortable with it you'll become. After a few months, it becomes second nature.

As far as reactions, and I've never been busted but, carry where legal, have your license with you and you have nothing to worry about.
 
I think it's normal to feel this way. I've carried for 4 years and have never "been made" by anyone. It is your right to do so, but if you don't feel comfortable with a weapon on your side you probably wouldn't be prepared to use it if (God forbid) you ever needed to. the above post about wearing around the house is a good idea, do chores sit down etc. Get comfortable and confident. But it will feel wierd for a few weeks regardless:D
 
Here in Texas even if your gun accidentily gets uncovered,it's not a problem as long as you get it concealed again asap.If it prints on your shirt it's still concealed.Quit worring about it.You could buy longer shirts if it makes you feel better.Most people walk around in a fog and wouldn't notice an elephant unless it tapped them on the shoulder.My oldest daughter was over for a visit a while back and I had my regular CC gun on,but was just wearing a tucked in t-shirt.She did not notice the gun until she had been there 2 hours and she was amazed that I had had it on,in plain sight,all that time without her noticing it.I wasn't suprised as she is tipical of most people.
 
Many peeps that have a CCL, don't need it, so carrying seems overkill, walking around in a very non-threatening environment....so you might just get comfortable with carrying, or do what many do, just not carry, but have the CCL when you need it....

If you do continue to carry...then it's imperative that you find a holster/gun combo that is really safe, that doesn't print, and that you don't find yourself fumbling with trying to make sure it doesn't fall out on the floor at Walmart, or stick out when you bend over.....

Baby steps...carrying a firearm is the real deal, and this isn't the wild west....

You may want to consider not having a round chambered for extra piece of mind, using a retention holster for extra piece of mind, etc...then as you become more comfortable...you can bring yourself, and your firearm to a more 'readiness level....
 
johns7022 said:
Many peeps that have a CCL, don't need it, so carrying seems overkill, walking around in a very non-threatening environment....so you might just get comfortable with carrying, or do what many do, just not carry, but have the CCL when you need it....
Click to expand...

I'm totally with you on the "peaceful environment" idea. I carry a gun but I fully expect to never need it.....

on the other hand, "have a CCL when you need it" is a bit of a strange idea. Even as civilized as my area is, when something DOES happen, the Bad Guys rarely make an appointment.
 
You're just self conscious about having a gun on you. Believe me, you get used to it. I carry one around all the time, often just under a tshirt and no one notices except my wife, and then only after she thinks to physically check. I was nervous the first week or so, if that long.

You don't have to get used to it if you don't want to. You don't have to carry. I recommend sticking with it for a while. Give it a month or so and you'll feel like it's just common sense to carry, just like having your wallet, keys and phone when you leave the house.
 
ditto...

what you are doing and feeling is normal... it will go away, mostly, to a degree....

sometimes, now I forget I have a gun on me but usually it is when I'm at home.

as to what happens if you are 'spotted' that depends on where you are, what you are doing and who the spotter is. Believe it or not... 99% of the time... absolutely nothing.
 
You may want to consider not having a round chambered for extra piece of mind, using a retention holster for extra piece of mind, etc...then as you become more comfortable...you can bring yourself, and your firearm to a more 'readiness level....
Click to expand...

I've thought about this a lot. Besides the normal nervousness I have a G19 with a 3lb trigger, I'm terrified I'm going to shoot myself in the a** if I carry with one in the pipe. Though not really sure how effective carrying without a round chambered is either.
 
It's natural to be uncomfortably self-conscious at first. After all, what you're doing is contrary to a life time's social conditioning that drummed into you the notion that carrying a gun is, well, wrong.

It isn't. Stand up on two legs and carry everywhere you can. You will get comfortable in short order.

Oh, and as others have said, no one will notice. I carry openly about 90 percent of the time here in Northern Virginia. I'd say one person in 10 even spots the pistol worn openly on my belt. If I cover it with a jacket or a shirt, that drops to zero in 10.
 
I think the best point was already made. "Most people are to unobservant to notice."

Most non gun people have never even seen a handgun up close let alone are able to identify it.You might get some stupid videogamer trying to name what gun it is, but I wouldnt worry too much if your shirt prints.Just make sure you inform any LEO you run into you are carrying.
 
I carry a G19. The factory trigger is (I think) 5.5 lbs, I don't know about a lighter trigger but I don't think it would bother me. I carry one chambered all the time. Get a holster that fully covers the trigger guard, be careful when you put it in the holster (I recommend a stiff one that stays open), and as long as you don't put your finger on the trigger it's not going to spontaneously go bang.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top