Speaking of paranoia.....

O

Onslaught

New member
I am 30 years old, and have a state concealed weapons carry permit. Our state's rules of "no carry" are... Govt. Buildings, Political rallies, places that serve alchohol, church, and school. BUT, for some reason, I am sometimes a bit concerned when I carry in crowded public places, like malls, movies, etc...

I worry that someone's gonna "make me", and I'll either get arrested or asked to leave. I worry that my gun is "printing" or my shirt is stuck on the holster, etc...

Does anyone else feel extra "aware" when they carry, or is this just another sign of my mental instability? :rolleyes:

Oh yeah, and speaking of paranoid, I think loknload's after me now, cuz I dissed his Glock 27 :eek:

[This message has been edited by Onslaught (edited September 06, 2000).]
 
We had a discussion during my CHL class - knowing it is against the law to portray yourself as a LEO (especially for self-gain or to defraud) - but if you make eye contact with the cashier at 7-11 just after she's (or he's) seen your weapon - you mouth the words "undercover" - have your broken the law or de-escalated the situation?

We also discussed the need for care in a restaurant - you've gone to the restroom and don't notice your jacket hung up on the chair when you sit back down at the table - waitress sees your weapon, tells manager, manager calls police, officers in cruiser get the call "man with a gun" in a restaurant (remember I'm in Texas about 40 miles from the infamous Luby's Cafeteria) - next thing you know your evening doesn't turn out as planned.
 
I've been carrying concealed for several years now. I am ALWAYS aware of where and how well my gun is hidden. I am continually aware of how my covering garment (usually a vest) is laying/hanging.

I'm not paranoid about it, but I am aware.

To my knowledge I have never "flashed" or been made by LEOs.

I feel weird if I go out and my gun is NOT on my hip.

I carry pretty much everywhere EXCEPT at work in the warehouse where I would be FIRED.

I routinely break a few "stupid" laws like:

NO carry in schools, government buildings, Post Office ,etc.

I figure since I am truly carrying concealed with great confidence then it really shouldn't matter about this "minor law breakage".

:D

[This message has been edited by WebHobbit (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
As WebHobbit notes, over time you become aware, but that's it. I put mine on in the morning, and pretty much forget about it after that.

I used to think everyone knew I was carrying. I was wrong ... if your rig is right, no one knows. And, that is how it should be.

The truth is, the vast majority of people aren't examining you that closely.

Regards from AZ
 
That's normal feelings when you start carrying. Eventually you'll discover that nobody notices even when it's on the edge of blatantly obvious. People really are oblivious to what's right in front of them, especially if they're not expecting it or it's in a form that they don't expect.

One normally starts out hyper-aware of its presence, thinking that everyone is just pretending to not notice. Then you realize nobody sees it, but you remain extra aware. Eventually it dawns on you that nobody notices. Resist the occasional urge to see how far you can push reduced concealment. In the long run, you don't even remember that you've got it on, and you get more paranoid when it's not on you.

If you are "made", just smile politely, say "licensed", finish your business, and leave.
 
ctdonath hit the nail on the head. When I first starting carrying it was a Kahr MK9 and I felt that it stuck out so much that everybody would see it. I now routinuely carry a S&W3913 -- a gun that is a full 25% bigger than the MK9 and nobody takes notice of it. As ctdonath said, after a while, you feel ore uncomfortable when you're not armed.
FUD
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Share what you know & learn what you don't
 
When I first started packing, I too was concerned about being "made". I also thought my change in dress from tucked shirts to untucked shirts would attract the attention of others. To my delight/horror, nobody seemed to pay any attention. It was then that I realized how little I had been paying attention to others. I now routinely scan the crowds, looking for untucked shirts, fanny packs, and other observant eyes. So I am much more aware of others possibly carrying concealed.

I also take a little extra care in some situations. Getting out of the car, I give the back of my cover garment a slight tug to ensure that it isn't un-concealing my gun. When visiting relatives/friends, I make a conscious decision to hug with my strong side arm low, so as not to be patted on my pistol. When walking through crowds, I always walk with my weak side first so I don't use my gun as a bumper. After carrying a while, I am much more aware of how I ensure that others are NOT aware of my gun.

I guess I finally realized how unaware people are when I was out for a walk one night with my fiancee. She knew I had a permit, and knew I carried. We were out walking, and I was carrying a full sized handgun under a short sleeved shirt, when she wrapped her arm around my waist and patted me right on the holster. Days later, she found out that I was carrying that night, and she had no idea. She thought that I simply had my multi-tool on my belt. That laid to rest most of my fears about being "made" carrying a concealed weapon.
 
Onslaught, As long as you got things covered don't worry about it. After time you will get use to it and it will become 2nd nature.
One thing with me though I keep in my mind that I am carrying and act accordingly.

Oh and by the way old loknload does not take offense to someone elses opinion. This is why they make Chocolate and Vanilla,Different strokes for different folks
:p

Happy Shooting :)

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
i often think of how gals used to wear miniskirts. they were forever tugging on them to make sure thier goodies were covered up.
take the time to learn when you may become uncovered or be detected. in and out of cars, bending over, in the wind, when removing articles of clothing, getting hugs, brushing against someone, sitting in a regular kitchen type or folding chair, sitting down on or against anything hard, ect.
with a little forward thinking you learn to handle these situations and dress to conceal.

one of the best compliments i have had on concealed carry was from my Karate instructor. i have known and been around him for over a decade. one day during class the topic turned to possible moves to disarm an attacker with a handgun. i am a severe critic of most of these methods. at my suggestion we did an exercise in which i proved this against a 7th degree black belt when i shot him with a paintball pistol 8 times out of twelve during close range disarm practice.
long story short the topic turned to who carries and how to I.D. a gun carrier. most of which i considered bull sh*t after the class i confided to him in private that i had been carrying, even into and out of the gym the entire time i had known him. we have gone out to eat together and worked on projects around the gym in street attire. his response was he NEVER knew i was carrying. when i produced my pistol from under my shirt he was FLABBERGASTED!! he said he never suspected or noticed. this is a guy that lives his life in a heightened state of awareness and physical fitness.
i can say know he watches me and everyone else more closely. often i catch him looking at me hard when i come in. sometimes i say "Well can you (see)?" he usually says "No!"

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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote.
Let he that hath no sword sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22-36
They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. Song of Solomon 3-8
The man that can keep his head and aims carefully when the situation has gone bad and lead is flying usually wins the fight.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by riddleofsteel:
i often think of how gals used to wear miniskirts. they were forever tugging on them to make sure thier goodies were covered up.[/quote]

Yep, I often think of girls in miniskirts too! :D :D :D
 
LEOs looking for illegal carry always look for the guy who is fidgeting around at his belt or waistline. Some folks who carry guns just can't seem to leave them alone. This may be due to poor carrying methods, but it sticks out when one is looking for it. In other words, it is what not to do.

Jim
 
WebHobbit not to pop your bubble, but it sure would ruin you week if you got caught with a weapon on some of those not carry places like a school or government building. The SocialistLiberals would love to be able to hang a CCW carrier out to dry in public so they could kill all CCW permits. It would be a hell of a note to become a felon that could not even legally own a firearm of any type because you carried onto a school grounds. Leaving it in your car would not even protect you from the anti-gunners wanting your hide nailed to their clubhouse door. :)
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by OkieGentleman:
WebHobbit not to pop your bubble, but it sure would ruin you week if you got caught with a weapon on some of those not carry places like a school or government building. The SocialistLiberals would love to be able to hang a CCW carrier out to dry in public so they could kill all CCW permits. It would be a hell of a note to become a felon that could not even legally own a firearm of any type because you carried onto a school grounds. Leaving it in your car would not even protect you from the anti-gunners wanting your hide nailed to their clubhouse door. :)[/quote]


Yep, I know.<sigh> You are right, but I just can't see the point of going through the hassle of NOT being able to carry my piece when me and my family go for our daily walk. Most of the time (though we do vary it) this walk takes us onto school property and sometimes very close to a Post Office.

Also on Fridays we go to the bank, the store, various and sundry errands and out to eat. Every other Friday we go to the post office. Most of the time my wife runs in and I wait in the car. Now sitting in my vehicle with my CCW I am technically breaking the Law--right?

That's just plain STUPID to expect someone in this situation to drive home, take the gun off and make a special unarmed dedicated trip to the post office.

That's just silly. :D

edit: Yeah, I know the antigunners don't care how this inconveniences me.

[This message has been edited by WebHobbit (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
WebHobbit
I don't understand about waiting in the car at the PO being a problem. Explanation?

I carry probably 12 hours a day, work and home, and I don't feel like putting it on and taking it off every time I turn around. The only time I do make certain I'm naked is if I have to go in a bar where it's prohibited but that has occured only about 4 or 5 times. I feel a whole lot safer there than being naked in the PO.

I've been carrying for 30+ years (25 without a CHL and about 5 with) and over that time have learned to wear certain articles of clothing to certain locations at certain times of the year.

The comments above pretty well cover most of the problems and solutions to the problems. The only difficult area I see has been missed is carrying in a crowded elevator. Can get touchy:0 at times.

In fact the wife and I have a game we play of "finding the heat" when we're out at the mall etc. Kinda fun and keeps you in condition yellow. Probably haven't spotted too many, maybe 5-6, but it keeps you observant.

RKBA!

A few years I ran across a great pair of shorts to carry in and due to the heat this summer I'll probably need to get a couple of more pair soon.
 
Lemme tell you about being extra aware.

Today, tomorrow and Sunday I will be in a state that does not honor my states CCW permit. I intend to carry as I usually do, but I wil be 999% more paranoid than usual that someone will "make me" out during the weekend. In all likelyhood.. I doubt it will ever happen.

I usually disobey many a law that require I go unarmed. However, when I do, I can guarantee that I'm thinking about it all that much more..

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
westex: There is a federal law that says no guns on post office premises. The trick is that unlike every other use of the word "premises" in laws, in that law it is extended to mean the parking lot, grassy areas adjoining, even the sidewalk in front. By far the most amazingly idiotic law I have to deal with on a regular basis (still haven't gotten the courage to break that one, since the penalty IIRC is rather severe). It's even worse because I think a PO is one of the more dangerous places I have to go.
 
Actually, the law permits carry in a PO "in relation to hunting or other lawful purposes." Go read the sign posted in the PO: it says (paraphrased) "Weapons prohibited except as exempted by sections A thru C" then lists sections A and B (gov't agent exemptions), and omits C (your exemption) leaving the reader with a certain false impression.

Unfortunately, PO & related folk will eagerly get you in front of a judge to determine whether you're exempted by part C. They interpret C very narrowly.

Such is the increasing nature of law: X is legal, but they'll put you through the wringer if you try.
 
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