You Don't Know, But I have a CCW

I have a really bad habit off talkin with my hands. I have noticed that while discussing my ccw (with friends that know alredy that I carry) I catch myself gesturing to my strong side. I sure hope I can break this habit.
 
See newbies just got their ccwp, most cant keep their hands off the thing. Fidgiting around, hand on the butt. Saw a guy get up from the bleachers, shirt came up, butt was visible, not his the guns....

Just forget its there, until you need it.
 
I don't go around announcing that I'm carrying a loaded handgun, but neither am I worried about people knowing. If my shirt opens up and they see it, so what? My gun is just like my keys, wallet, knife, and phone. If I have pants on, it's part of the package. Don't ask for one without expecting to see the other.
 
but its pretty easy to pick out most carries, if not the slight bulge than the way they act or habits they have, not to mention clothing or accessories they might have
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HKFan,

I'm interested in hearing your observations on these things, if you'd care to expand.
 
We have a lot of agreement on this thread about not announcing you're carrying. I'll tell you why I did. I did because I'm a newbie. I was some mix of enthusiastic, frightened, uncomfortable, comfortable, and not wanting to be viewed as deceptive if some individuals close to me found out. I did in two cases because I knew they would come upon gun paraphenalia and be alarmed if there was no explanation. I did in another case because we needed a safety plan in the office. However, I operate in a different circle than some of the people on this thread. I'm concerned about protecting my life more than my relationships. Doesn't mean I dump my friends if they have strong feelings about my guns. Until further notice, I don't talk about my guns. Learning by mistakes. It's my MO. :cool:
 
Its macho stupidity. They are irresponsible people who think firearms as people have stated, make them tough. They want to let people know because they think they are a bad dude and not to be trifled with.
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Maybe, but I don't think it's a gun issue. It's a mindset that affects many people where many different issues are concerned. Bragging, showing off, need for recognition, attention----don't know, but I know there's some of that in all of us, though some of us are better able to refrain from calling attention to ourselves.

Just my thoughts on the matter.:cool:
 
Thats a good point Nnobby45, there is some of that in all of us. Like you said though some can restrain better than others. I dont want any attention on me and my firearm thats for sure. Where I live I would immediatley be stereotyped as a criminal. Lets play guess the state im in? lol.
 
Broadcasting the fact that you are carrying seems to me like inviting trouble.

Not a good thing.
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Too true brother!

Anyone here ex-special forces? This is kind of the same thing. When I first got out of the navy, I found out very quickly that I had to keep secret most of the time that I was in fact ex-special forces. It came up a couple of times in passing conversation and there's always going to be some macho bad boy who has something to prove by taking on someone he thinks is "bad to the bone". Anybody here have deal with this in your lifetime? Even today, over 30 years after leaving the navy, I know guys I served with who wear the "Badge" Green Beret, Navy Seal, Army Ranger like a big red S on their chests. It always seems to get them into some kind of trouble.

Why would you want to announce you're carrying to a world filled with people who have a need to prove something? Unless you are trying to prove something...
 
Its never so much the habits as someone asked, but generally I see people always keeping their hand near the strong side lump on their side that is definitely not a cell phone. I never ever expect myself to be 100% certain but a lot here in PA are able to pick out, specially in summer time. Another give away gesture that is usually done by off duty law enforcement I see is that they sway their strong hand out pretty far even when carrying concealed. It is normal for them to do when open carrying on duty but generally transfers over by habit when concealing. Like I said i never expect to be 100%

As for whoever said that discussing my carry options while I am working at the firearms counter (I dont carry at work) is going too far for customer service.... I'm sorry but you are far too paranoid.. in my personal opinion. You had to learn about concealment somewhere, and I would much rather talk to to newbies about it rather than let them guess or read the rubbish I have read on the internet.

If you cannot talk freely in a safe environment different carry methods and the procedure of finding the right gun to fit your needs to someone new to the idea, you are not doing your fellow 2nd amendment supporters justice when you are in my shoes.

My JOB is to help people in need that want to support our cause and our RIGHT, if you want to turn a high browed nose to them, than in my book you are no better than an anti liberal.

It is a different tale when your the one behind the counter trying to give advice and I give my honest opinion... everyone learned sometime or another, and I much rather get information from an experienced person in the firearms world than half the garbage I read on internet forums.:rolleyes:
 
Concealed means concealed.

I know Coppers who advertise off duty that they are the police. Bad idea, be the surprise if something happens not the prime target.
 
In terms of the law in most areas, concealed means hidden from view, but does not mean having to be kept secret.

Broadcasting the fact that you are carrying seems to me like inviting trouble.
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So then is open carry inviting trouble?
 
Broadcasting the fact that you are carrying seems to me like inviting trouble.
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Double Naught Spy said:
So then is open carry inviting trouble?
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I personally think there is a difference between "broadcasting" and open carry. People who open carry tend to not get noticed 95% of the time. Just like concealed carry, 95% of the time while open carrying I would have to tell someone or do something extremely obvious for the gun to be noticed.

Of course the 5% of the time open carry does get noticed tends to get posted on the internet, which breeds the idea that open carry is much more controversial and "in your face" than it is in reality.
 
TheGoldenState said:
...^^ lies ^^

you parade that beauty around looking for compliments to boost your never ending ego on gun superiority
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Wow. My psychologist tells me the same thing. :D
 
Doesn't this discussion really depend on the circumstances and the surroundngs you're in at the time? Most states have laws against "brandishing" a handgun. Let's face it guys, there ARE people who will freak out if they see a handgun on someone. I know that's THEIR problem, but it could very easily become ours. I personally don't need the hassle. Even though I am right. (Within my rights, that is.)

There are times when disclosing may be ok, but there are times when it is just not worth the hassle IMO.
 
For me, I CC because I want the element of surprise, and, as noted above, I don't want my weapon to become a target. Here in MS open carry is legal, but a holster is considered concealed, so you have to have a permit to open carry, practically speaking. A few weeks ago I was driving home with my family when we stopped to help a motorist beside the road. When i got out of my vehicle I swept my shirt back behind my gun just so the guy would know I'm armed. But I do not make a regular practice of OC.

If somebody wants to, mad props. If somebody doesn't want to OC, mad props. If its legal and you want to do it, go for it.
 
CCW in Illinois - Not

To my knowledge, we can't get CCW permits here in IL. Have to have a FOID card just to handle firearms much less own them.

If I could get a CCW permit, I don't know that I would. Or at the very least I think it would take a while to get used to "carrying."

Just thinking. . .
Prof Young
 
dnr1128 said:
For me, I CC because I want the element of surprise
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dnr1128 said:
When i got out of my vehicle I swept my shirt back behind my gun just so the guy would know I'm armed.
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:confused: So you want the element of surprise to be able to defend yourself against a bad guy, yet when you stop to help a stranger, you show him your gun just in case he might be a bad guy?!? Still: :confused:

And if you showed him your gun thinking he was a good guy and you wanted to be "considerate" and let him know you were armed; well, then what if he really was a bad guy and the "motorist in distress" was a rouse? Now what good is your "element of surprise" going to be? Still :confused:

Just my personal thought.... this whole "element of surprise" thing sounds like a hope that if something bad should happen, the victim is hoping they will be able to draw their gun quickly enough to surprise the attacker to be able to shoot them.
 
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