Paranoid About Carrying

Seems like you need to go on a Wally Walk

Congrats on getting your CCP. It's a very big step in gun ownership. I remember the first few times I carried and had nearly the same feelings. So I asked a few questions and got excellent answers from the members here. After I carried a few times I started to see some posts about good places to carry to help reduce the anxiety Wlamart came up. One of the members recommended I go there and get in my "Wally Walk". I truly don't remember who the member was that recommended it to me, but I'm very thankful they did. It's serious in the intent and execution, but you'll find quite a bit of humor in it as well, I'm sure.
I think the seriousness and humor in this thread may help you out. I had exactly the same issues at first, but somebody suggested that I take it, and that's the best thing I ever did to set my mind at ease.
Enjoy the read, and more than anything, give it a try.

2 weeks ago I spent all day sightseeing in Seattle with my pistol on my side, not a single person made note of it to the best of my knowledge, not even the employees in the stores I stopped into while shopping downtown. Sometime in the late afternoon I realized that, and never gave any thought of it again.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388573
 
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I've been carrying guns since the late 1960s and have NEVER been stopped, questioned or even noticed (to the best of my knowledge). I've carried everything from a Jframe or PPK to Nframes. I currently carry a H&K P2000. NO ONE NOTICES. They're just not observant. As long as the gun is hidden, you'll be fine. For your own comfort, make sure that you get a good belt and holster. It simplifies things greatly. :cool:
 
i dont know where you live, but if you are uncomfortable with carrying a hand gun, and also dont want to risk the class A misdemeanor or class 3 felony for carrying your ccp in the wrong place, carry a taser. in texas, it is not considered a weapon, you can carry it EVERYWHERE. even schools. and if people see you with a taser, if they can tell its a taser and not mistake it with a cell phone or beeper, or other electronic device, rarely do people think, "taser = murderer or bad guy"

its kinda like when you see someone with pepper spray on their keychain
 
+3 on the Wally Walk. For extra credit you can add a trip to Starbucks for a latte and a muffin.:)

It's really all about remembering that you are not doing anything illegal or immoral (in spite of what some folks might think or say), and are taking responsibility for yourself and those you hold dear at the highest level.

Think of it the same way you probably think of strapping on your cell phone. There's no way you would leave home without the phone, right? Same, now, for the sidearm. And for the same reason - you might need it.

stay safe.

skidmark
 
Thunderbird, I got my concealed firearm permit for the first time a bit over a year ago. That was a few weeks after I bought my first gun.

*EVERYBODY* who gets a CFP/CCW is self-conscious when they first start to carry. (Well, everybody who isn't a born actor with unshakeable self-confidence, anyway.) I worried constantly at first, and had to train myself not to check and adjust my weapon every few minutes. This is despite my living in an area where openly carried firearms are not unusual and not at all shocking to most people.

I got over it in a few months. First, I started carrying openly at times last summer when I realized that concealing my gun (an S&W Model 60 revolver) under shorts and a t-shirt was not a practical proposition. Almost nobody noticed or cared. The few people who did were just curious. I just answered their questions, which in a couple of cases were more geared to "how do I get a good gun and learn to carry it/use it" than "why do you feel a need to do this?" ;) By last fall, I'd tried out a bunch of concealment methods, got an excellent holster, and got comfortable.

Nowadays I don't even think about it -- when I'm going out, I put on the gun. It's habit, and I think about it only when I'm practicing/training at home or when I get ready to go out. Nobody has ever "made me" when I was carrying concealed. It simply is no big deal after you get used to it.
 
This is actually a very good topic. Koodos to the OP for having the guts to bring this up.

I have my CC permit too, but don't feel the need to carry a gun all the time. I got mine because I travel quite a bit between Florida and Georgia, and I was carrying the gun in my car without a permit. I'm often traveling very late at night and sometimes pull over and sleep for a bit at rest stops along the highways. Maybe I was complying with the laws of car-carry...then again maybe I wasn't always complying with them. The CC permit takes care of that issue.

But, I don't routinely keep a gun on me....nor a cell phone. The main reason is that I find it burdensom just to keep track of my wallet and keys! For several years I just carried my Glock 17 in my car and a little Jennings .22 or EXCAM .25 in my pocket, only when I felt it was absolutely necessary.

Then, I decided that the .22 and .25 really were not adequate protection, and I just didn't want something nearly the size of the Glock to have to carry around. So, I purchased an AMT 45 Backup - mainly for psuedo-pocket cary. Small, heavy, heavy trigger, but adequate protection that I could carry in my pocket. I did get a pocket holster for the gun, and believe it or not, it fits most of my pants and shorts front pockets. You can tell I have something in my pocket, but it looks like a pad of paper or something like that.

There are a bunch of small .380's that you can pocket carry with a little pocket holster - looks like a wallet when it's in your pants. I guess I'm a big fan of pocket carry, so long as the gun doesn't imprint on your pants. I generally tuck my shirts in, so holster carry doesn't really work for me. I think the key for those who are self-concious about carrying a gun is to get one small enough so that you can put it inside of a wallet-like holster. Then, it's really no big deal.
 
Thank you all for the great replies!!!!

I understand that I am a law abiding citizen and understand that it is a special privilege to be carrying! And I plan to take great responsibility when carrying!

I simply did not want to start a panic and mass hysteria if my gun was discovered in a public place & people freaked out!!!! :p maybe I have too much daydreaming time on my hands...............

This idea a bit far fetched, perhaps! I appreciate everyone's replies! Sounds like a trip to wallyworld is in store for me in the very near future! :)

On a side note, I have gone jogging in broad daylight while carrying IWB, and after about 10 minutes of my fearing my shirt would bounce up, or the wind would push it up, I started to relaxe and not worry about it! After 10 minutes of jogging I was more afraid of passing out or dropping dead of a heartattack from being out of shape! :D

If I can get get used to concealment while jogging, walking around casually in a store should not be a big deal!
 
Years ago I bought a Coronado leather carry vest. I don't think they even make them any more, but picture a western style vest with a hidden seam on each side that gives quick access to a concealed firearm. Anyway, I was working at a gun store and we used to sponsor CCW classes. I wore this vest through the entire 4 or 5 evenings of a CCW course with a full sized Kimber on the left, and a couple of loaded mags on the right.

That full sized piece clearly printed through the leather when it was buttoned, and flopped around with all the weight when it wasn't buttoned. I wasn't the instructor, but I was assisting with slides, etc, in front of this audience of 30 or so people with that same vest for 4 hours a night for 4 (or 5?) evenings. And of course, we were talking about concealed firearms!

On the last evening when it was all over, people began asking about the "how to" of concealment. And as the rep for the gun store, it was my opportunity to advertise our guns and gear. I went through my little presentation on guns, holsters and gear and at the end spoke of our Coronado clothing line (they sold jackets, vests, purses, etc, with hidden concealment options). And only then did I reach into my vest and pull out that big Kimber. I got an amazing response - not one of those people had known I was carrying that pistol. And they should have (you'd think) because it was absolutely the worst gun to carry in a vest like that. It was very poor concealment.

Sorry for the book - but people aren't going to notice an appropriate carry gun if you take even minimal precautions. And if they do, they aren't going to freak out.

Carry your gun. Carry it with pride and if somebody does notice, just remain calm and explain the law and go on your way.
 
Magnum Mike said:
I'm sure some one will chime in on how to do it plus give you a reference map!
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I got dis.

WallyWorldMap.gif


Also for more work on situational awareness:

walmartBingo.jpg



Edit for contribution: I was self-conscious too. You'll be fine though. Lots of people open carry everyday and no one screams bloody murder, no crying babies, and no battalion of police officers show up. It's good times.
 
Been carrying about 6 years the only time I was found out is a women asked me to get something that was up high on the shelf she couldn't reach. As I reached my jacket pulled up her eyes got a little big but I just smiled and handed to her item and walked away with the wife:D As you carry it just become natural and you won't even think about it. The biggest problem I had was my grandkids wanting me to show everyone my gun.:eek: But they soon got over that one I hope:)
 
I am really interested in this post. I live in NC. I just took my CC course a couple of weeks ago and expect to have my Permit soon. I am not that cautious about carrying it but i would really love to hear from someone that has had some experiences in NC to draw on. I wonder if the law enforcement will harass if a gun is seen. I.E i expect they will at the very least run the SN to check for stolen or outstanding warrants and as long as everything is in order then all should be ok.


I have also read that depending on where you are most cops because they can will go so far as to act like you are a criminal until they asertain otherwise so therefore if the officers are going to make it dificult then why go thru the trouble of carrying. I would love to know if anyone here has had some experience in my state of NC.


We were told by our instructor that you are to say 4 things when approached by an officer. First of all if it is a traffic stop then the officer already knows you have the permit after he runs your info before he even approaches your car. Apparently the CCP number is your DL # with a letter at the end which indicates CCP holder. The 4 things we were told to say are, 1. I am a CC Permit holder 2. I am currently carrying, 3. The gun is located on my left side, and 4. I have my Permit.


By saying these things it lets the officer know you are trained, you are responsible , and you are one of the good guys so it makes for a much easier experience. You can carry openly in this state but i have heard don't do this because any officer will tell you to sread em and check you out as if you are a criminal which can be embarassing in public. Just curious on the opinions. Thanks and i can't wait to get my CCP. God Bless America and our right to defend ourselves.
 
First of all congrats on your ccp, And remember it is a privledge.
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Go back and read the Constitution.
If you feel uncomfortable wearing your concealed gun then do not do so.
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Let me apologize for the bad advice you are getting here. TFL guys are usually right on the mark...this time, not so much.
It is normal to be self-conscious for a perod of time. The time it takes for you to become comfortable may vary from one individual to another--for me it was about ninety days. Now I feel strange and uncomfortable when I am unarmed.
 
I am a sales rep calling on businesses. I got my permit in December & my first revolver for Christmas. I followed the advise of my handgun mentor, a good customer of mine. He told me to carry in the house unloaded for a period. Then carry outside the house when running errands unloaded. He said I would know when to load and carry. It took a week. I thought this to be rather juvenile but followed along. I got a pocket holster, loaded up and it is in my pocket all day long. I've have had shotguns since I was a kid. At 57 years old I am new to handguns. Enjoy.
 
what folks notice....

....is newbies fiddling with their gear.



Story time(s): I was wearing a Jackass shoulder-rig with a 4" stainless Security Six in it. I'd wear that rig when riding my motorcycles, unaware that the barrel was working its way through the under-arm seam.
Until one night during a crowded movie intermission (sorry to the young folk) I noticed I was getting an inordinate amount of stares (long blond pony tail, black 'biker's' jacket, dark shades at night at an indoor movie). Didn'y know why until I was in the john and caught a glimpse of my stainless steel muzzle poking out under my left arm.
No shots fired....

I went into the Post Office to check my box (three rows up from the bottom), requiring me to get low, so I knelt. Ankle-carried gun fell out without me noticing,
until I kicked it across the floor.
No one noticed....

Was getting changed in swimsuit at a waterpark and dropped my back-up gun, bouncing six feet away. Looked up and there was a midget looking at me.
Dead-pan, he raised his eyebrows, and walked out.
That one still gets me laughing hysterically; his expession was absolutely priceless....

I've had others, but them I ain't tellin'.....
 
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.
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You need to either rethink that or carry a different gun.
 
johns7022:
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...
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I don't think this is a good idea. The whole point of having the gun is so you WILL be able to protect yourself [and loved ones] should you ever have the need. If your too busy trying to get your gun out of the "safe" holster and racking the slide to get a round into the chamber you COULD be finished! You'd be surprised how far someone can go in the time it takes to draw and fire under "normal circumstances" let alone if you had to do all that other stuff too! IF they're within 7 yards of you and have a knife, you could be stabbed by them by the time you got your gun out and made a shot.

Carrying without a round chambered I feel defeats the purpose of carrying at all and if you're worried about the gun "going off" maybe it'd be a better fit to switch to a different gun so you feel safer about carrying this way...? [something with a manual safety (1911) or a DA/SA trigger with decocker (Sig)]

Just what I've been taught and learned over the years.

You need to either rethink that or carry a different gun.
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I agree completely! Your gun will NOT go off unless the trigger is pulled and you just have to treat your gun with respect and as if it's loaded at ALL times and you should be fine =)

Good luck and happy CCing. I hope the Wally trip was a confidence booster and you're on your way to feeling more natural about having your piece on you at all times now.
 
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Absolutely agree with wilkup. If you're going to the expense and hassle of carrying, why carry a paperweight, or an awkward hammer? One in the chamber at all times, or don't bother! A retention holster shouldn't really be an issue unless you carry openly, and if you choose such a holster, then you'd better get pretty proficient at unholstering smoothly.
 
To the OP: as others have said, it is good to carry around the house for a while just to get accustomed to the weight of a gun. It will change how you reach for stuff and how you bend down, maybe where you keep your wallet or cell phone as well. The point is to get comfortable with what you have. You will probably go through 3-4 holsters until you find the right one.

If you don't want to carry one in the chamber then don't. In time you will probably get comfortable with it but to each his own. According to some posts here you need the thing loaded and then five extra magazines just in case! :rolleyes: If you do not feel comfortable with what you have then you will never carry. Go at your own pace.

As has been stated by others, you will feel uncomfortable at first since most of us are not normally accustomed to carrying a loaded firearm on our person or the responsibility that comes with that. Just grow into it at your own pace. I have friends who have CCW but have never carried, not even in their vehicle!:eek: My wife has her CCW and carries daily but now with one in the chamber. She carried a Taurus PT709 that presents no problems with carrying a chambered round. She is just not comfortable yet with that. Again, to each his own.

You will do fine at your own pace. If you have friends that carry, talk with them and try different carry rigs. In six months you'll be an old hand. :)

Best of luck!
 
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