Paranoid About Carrying

turbotype87 said:
First of all congrats on your ccp, And remember it is a privledge.
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orionengnr said:
Go back and read the Constitution.
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orionengnr, respectfully, maybe you should read the Constitution. A right is an action that a person does not need to ask or pay the state for permission to engage in. A right is also not something that the state can take away simply by revoking a license.

A person engaging in an activity that they have asked and/or paid the government for permission to do is engaging in a privilege and not a right.
 
I was paranoid too...

My advice is to carry your sidearm EVERYWHERE that you LEGALLY can. When I first got mine I just knew (so I thought) that everybody could clearly tell I was carrying. My second day of carrying, I was at a buffet with my mom and there were two cops sitting at the table next to me. I was nearly sweating, absolutely about freaking out but they had no idea. About two weeks after carrying everyday all day (like I had suggested) I spot an officer at about 100 yards away. He was staring at my gun! ( so I again thought) and that's when I realized I was just being waaaaay too overly paranoid about the whole thing. Now when I'm not carrying it still feels like I am. It's just natural for me now, I feel more awkward when I'm not carrying then I ever did in those first two weeks because I am just so used to it. Just earlier today there were once again two officers in the restaurant I was visiting. I didn't feel nervous, or like a criminal (felt that too like you stated). I didn't feel anything other than just myself, like any other regular law-abiding citizen eating out for lunch.
 
LT--

My point exactly.

The Second Amendment confers a God-given right. That is what the Constitution says, clear as the nose on your face.

The government, through the years, has managed to turn it into a priviledge in the minds of most people.

That does not change the intent of the Founders. Yes, I pay the state for my CHL, but in reality, it is un-Constitutional.

I am not willing to make a Ruby Ridge deal out of this, but I do understand the difference, and so do an awful lot of other Americans...
 
I was a little paranoid in the beginning. After a while I noticed what Peetzakilla knows: nobody notices. Nobody cares. I can even carry my Ruger P90 (big, fat, and heavy) that prints like crazy, and nobody notices.

Just be cool. The more you worry about it, the more likely someone is to notice it. Forget about it, and it's never an issue. I even chat with the police officers in my town (I live right next to the police station) and they don't even notice.
 
I felt like a criminal for a long time. Got a good inside the waistband (iwb) holster that has a lot of space between the clips(increases comfort). That made a huge difference in the amount it prints and keeps the gun very stable. Also started taking those guilty feelings/energy and concentrating on observing my surroundings, scanning all the time. I no longer feel like a criminal.
 
I got my Arkansas CHL back in september, I think. I've carried every day since it arrived in the mail!

At first, I was just like everyone else, paranoid and nervous and constantly fidgeting with my holster or pocket.

Now, I carry with confidence. We have alot of folks here with their chl's and I've only spotted a couple only because I was looking. I now feel strange when I can't carry like to church, ballgames,etc.....and wish I could.

I carry a 4" kimber, CZ75b, and/or Ruger LCR. :)
 
99% of people are too unobservant to ever notice if you are carrying.
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And I would call that a conservative estimate.

What color are your boss's eyes? You neighbors two houses down? (Think about all of the people that you know, how many can you really describe well?) etc... Now describe how your boss acts, your neighbors, the people that you know and meet, etc... you get the picture.

Behaviors are what people notice. Carry concealed and behave like it is "concealed" meaning not visible, and for almost everyone on the planet it does not exist.

And these days, folks have multi-tool cases and cell phones on their belts that can easily redirect any "possible" suspicions that you might be carrying a gun under your shirt. (Although recommendations for good holsters and belts are very good advice; if for nothing else but peace of mind and comfort.)

I have carried for decades, and never had anyone "make me" that I know of, and have carried concealed full size (read Colt Government 1911) OWB and IWB even when visiting Florida (and other warmer weather states). I used to carry different 6" .44 mag revolvers concealed for years.

Here in Alaska, I don't need a CC Permit to CC; along with Vermont. I have one, because that allows me reciprocity with many other states. However, I believe that the 2A does cover this topic for us; we have just allowed some states to take this away, and then regulate it back to us on their terms.

Be sensible, be safe, be responsible, and relax... you are not the center of everyone's attention; unless you make yourself the center of attention.

Oh yeah, avoid spandex and leotards!
 
Congrats on CC don't worry about being noticed, most people are in there own little world and will never
realize your carrying. The next thing you do is wear it every time you leave the house, criminals don't take time off or vacations. You'll get use to it, just like getting dressed, to the point you'll feel naked without it. ;)
 
WESHOOT2 touched on an important point.

No one will notice if you are carrying concealed.

EVERYONE will notice, however, if you're constantly fiddling with it. It's a tell, a giveaway.

Here's how to do it...put on your holster at home, load and chamber in a safe area. Now, holster. Put on your cover garment.

LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!

Also, for the poster who mentioned the 3 lb Glock trigger...the 3.5 lb connectors are for TARGET and COMPETITION only. Why? Because to obtain the true 3.5 lb pull, you have to change out the striker spring and return spring, too--and that will leave the striker impact too light to reliably light off primers.

I recommend putting the factory parts back in, (5.5 lb) and shooting it. A LOT. This will smooth out the trigger.

If you must lighten the trigger, I recommend a 4 lb. connector, and normal weight springs. This will still ensure reliable ignition.

Now, go forth and practice. Shoot well, and often!
 
Die your hair purple, no one will be looking low enough to spot your weapon.:D I see as it like when you first get acne, OMG its as big as a brick and the world is staring syndrome and I think most everyone goes through a comfort curve. Many people carry cell phone's and who knows what on their belt or under shirts today. I wouldn't sweat it, your within your legal rights.
 
Someone here mentions that 99% of people, conservatively speaking, would never notice anything. It is probably also true that 99% of people, the same 99%, are no danger to you or anyone else, unless perhaps they are driving a car. The problem is the other one percent. Conceivably the other one percent or less may be up to no good, everyone here assumes, I assume. Likewise, those same folks might be a little better than average at detecting a concealed firearm. I know I've certainly spotted concealed carriers, though I kind of think that some concealed carriers tend to dress a certain way and accessorize themselves in a certain way and, believe it or not, even have certain behavior patters that gives the game away, though I'm certain that few here ever do things like I'm referring to. I imagine that some people could be "made" just by their facial expression.

Be that as it may, I think it is reasonable to give a lot of thought to the concept of "concealed," just because to those for whom it makes a difference, they are in fact, looking. But I wouldn't dye my hair.
 
Also, for the poster who mentioned the 3 lb Glock trigger...the 3.5 lb connectors are for TARGET and COMPETITION only. Why? Because to obtain the true 3.5 lb pull, you have to change out the striker spring and return spring, too--and that will leave the striker impact too light to reliably light off primers.

I recommend putting the factory parts back in, (5.5 lb) and shooting it. A LOT. This will smooth out the trigger.
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Wish I could put them back in, but I bought the gun with the 3lb trigger. In about 1500 rounds through it it's never had a weak primer strike or even any failure at all except the slide failed to lock back at the end of 2 mags. I'm thinking about getting a Ruger LCP for carry anyways. I hear they have a pretty hard trigger pull. I'm just not sure about .380
 
Carrying concealed is more than an adjustment, it's a change in lifestyle. The first trick is to find the right weapon and a good holster, and a proper belt. Find a combonation that works for YOU. In the words of Clint Smith, "carrying a gun is not comfortable...carrying a gun is comforting". Once you have the proper gear, it's a matter of making small adjustments in your wardrobe to make concealment easier. Before long, it'll be just like your cell phone...you wont feel dressed without it. I have varied methods for carrying that cahnge depending on the occasion and/or my mode of dress. Don't hesitate to experiment with different things until you find the right package.
 
Many peeps that have a CCL, don't need it, so carrying seems overkill..........
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I don't understand the term "don't need it". Perhaps you can elaborate.

Seems to me that a high % of all citizens who need a gun never needed it before. Some will never need it. Some will need it more than once.


If being armed for SD is overkill, what's just right? Being unarmed?
 
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!
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Nope, not a special privilege, but a Constitutional right.
Unfortunately, this country has gotten so far from the Constitution, we have to have our rights dribbled out to us a little at a time.
As far as being nervous about carrying, I completely understand.
I got my permit a couple years ago, and carried a Taurus PT111 in a Kholster IWB.
That thing felt like it had an 8 inch barrel, and I was sure everybody could tell I was packing.
I finally figured out nobody was looking, and nobody really cared as long as it was covered, they can tell themselves it's a cell phone or an insulin pump or a dribble bag.
Now I can carry my Glock 32 in a paddle holster with a t-shirt covering, and I almost forget it's there.:D
It gets easier, and the thing to remember is that you are legal, it's your right, and it's nobody else's business what's in your pants.
Oh, and I always always always carry one in the pipe, I may not have both hands available to rack the slide.
 
OP : what you are experiencing is normal. It WILL pass as your confidence level goes up. Does anyone know what's in your wallet, why not ? Because they never see it ? They won't notice your gun either if you wear a good concealment shirt, etc with it.... if your shirt isn't doing it , get one that does.

You are the only one who knows. Your self-conscious about it right now, and if you continue to carry.... you will soon feel naked without it. Don't give yourself away by tapping it, adjusting it, etc. all of the time.

I've been called out for carrying a gun several times.... when I wasn't. LOL.... when they first passed conceal carry, groups of folks were trying to intentionally id people and then make a big scene out of it. Many were embarrassed..... that they ID'd my CELL PHONE under my shirt.... and I would always ask them "what kind of idiot are you ? ".

If someone does ask you what the bulge is, tell them it's your colonoscopy bag. They won't want to know anything more about it.
 
When i first got my permit I carried unloaded while I worked out all the details of how to manage things. Maybe 3-4 days of carry. I was still in college so I wasn't carrying much at all since i was on campus most of the time and carrying unloaded didn't bother me since I normally didn't carry at all.
I now do the same any time I get a new holster or such.
I have not dropped a gun yet or anything like that, but I figure the first few days with a new holster/gun it is a lot more likely I will do so and better just to carry unloaded while i get comfortable with the change.
 
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I'm not going to wade through the posts.

What state are you in? Don't tell me. I'm just curious as to what the laws are. The state I'm in allows open carry most places (some towns have an ordinance), and "printing" is not an issue. Law in this state says that "openly carried on the belt" is not considered "concealed." What it comes down to is if your gun is on the belt, IWB and the grip is visible it's not considered "concealed" -- and legally open carried. If it's covered up, it's considered "concealed" for purposes of CCW. "Printing" is not an issue.

Many businesses wish you wouldn't pack on their premises. Some post signs. The rationale behind CCW is that it's nobody's business if you're carrying. A violation of the business' policy is a "civil contempt" charge -- class C misdemeanor. There's a good chance that such charges won't stick if you're not being a jerk. Not being a jerk goes a long way in CCW.

As noted elsewhere, there's numerous options to concealed carry. I carry a laptop daypack. Gun's in the outer pocket. The down-side on that sort of carry is that the pack sits at the table while I'm in the rest room. Yeah, I get someone I trust to keep an eye on things. The gun is NOT "unattended."
 
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