Any of you new CCW's a little nervous about being in public while carrying?

[Hoser]

Originally Posted by Akzl

I can't say it's an urban legend, if the school was posted as a "Gun Free Zone" it's an issue?....

Many schools have "Gun Free Zone" signs, just like the have "Drug Free Zone" and "Tobacco Free Zone" signs. However, your CCW exempts you from the Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995.

[Crosley]

Unfortunately, I have had to point a gun at someone twice over the years.

Fortunately, I have not had to move my finger inside the trigger guard yet.

[Gr8Xfatman]

Thanks for the post Nate. I'm going to apply next month, and I have been thinking about the great responsibility that comes with it. I am glad to know that I'm not the only one that has those scary thoughts.

Gary

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by gr8fatman

Thanks for the post Nate. I'm going to apply next month, and I have been thinking about the great responsibility that comes with it. I am glad to know that I'm not the only one that has those scary thoughts.

Gary

Once a person learns what can happen to them after an incident and how it will effect their family the coolness factor takes second place and the tendency is to take the responsibility about having a CCW and firearms ownership in general very seriously. CCW holders in my experience are some of the safest gun handlers that I meet. We've all seen the weekend casual shooter types at the range and how they manage muzzle discipline.

[wcpassegai]

When you carry/use a firearm for a living you gradually go from self-conscious to respectfully self-aware as proper handling and safety becomes ingrained in you; I think that the same general thing happens with CCW licensees as they become seasoned. Nothing builds the proper respect for safety like seeing what a live round does to a live target.

[SVTNate]

Wow, I had forgotten about this thread and just found it.

It has been nearly a year now since I made this thread, and I have carried daily since then. I have to laugh a bit, now, as carrying is very comfortable and very natural for me now. I don't worry about printing, or getting made, as I dress smart and use good gear. I have come to trust that it will keep my weapon concealed, and I have had no incidents whatsoever.

I am, of course, mindful of my dress, windy days, etc. but it's all largely second nature now as far as dressing around the gun and keeping it concealed.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by SVTNate

I am, of course, mindful of my dress, windy days, etc. but it's all largely second nature now as far as dressing around the gun and keeping it concealed.

Over the years I have come up with this theory..:

Stage 1 of carrying: conscious of the gun all of the time... worry over printing and people commenting along with worrying over having to use it but comforted that I have it with me...

Stage 2 of carrying: way less conscious of carrying... might end of printing or accidentily flashing the gun due to a gust of wind or picking the kids up when the get tired of walking... dropping the keys and the butt of the 45 sticks out... starting to forget you are wearing it....still comforted when I remember I am carrying...

Stage 3 of carrying: no conscious indicators that I am carrying... am sub- or un-consciuosly conscious about preventing printing... the wind almost never lifts the shirt tail... my carry habits are as routine as picking up the car keys... never notice I have it on unless I move funny and the checkering on the 45 cuts into my side or I'm trying a new holster or something... I am nervous when I don't carry... kinda like I've got an uncconscious "burr under my saddle" what reminds me somethin' ain't right and then I figure out I left my gun at home... feel really uncomfortable when I don't carry...

Stage 3.5 of carrying:... I get pissed off when I realize I don't have some of my equipment with me: flashlight, cell, EXTRA MAG, knife(s) etc.... but I almost always have my gun... went to church a couple of weeks ago and realized that the typical pre-church argument (were going to be late let us go people!) had happened and I had left my gun lying on the bed...boy was I mad at me!

So.... Any comments on the theory?

[wcpassegai]

I like the theory. Does this branch off at 4? maybe one leg of the next stage would be to start getting lazy about carrying and just forgetting about it. Another one might be to start carrying progressively smaller weapons until you are packing a single-shot 22 derringer. Then Item 5 would be when you need to defend yourself, and after that you go back to item 2.

[RedrockX]

so... i'm thinking to myself, that after years of open carry of a rifle... and in the most unfriendly of places... i think it would be (in the civillian world)
like having a good knife on your belt. (there when you need it... trusty, razor sharp..)

but then i could be wrong...

as for "being aware of your surroundings" (never sit with your back to the door, a casual scan of the area from time to time... paying a little closer attention to something that seems "out of place". I can see a CCW being good "life insurance" that i cant afford to pass up.

[EMS_NC]

I don't carry yet... but why not just re-connect the belt and this will keep your pants & gun at knee level? I started doing this on-duty since we have to carry a heavy radio... plus it is a nice way to keep your pants off a nasty, dirty floor.

Originally Posted by ironpete

Just ran into CCWI and he asked me the question...While I did give him the same answer as above, I didn't tell him my story.

Some background first...Got mine on Monday and strapped it on that day. I'm sure my wife is already sick of my requests to check me out (and that is just for the gun). It is to the point that I just have to give her "the look". She rolls her eyes, dutifully looks and then shakes her head.

I've tried with shirt tucked and untucked, shorts and pants. Unless I'm stretching nobody can really see it...although when sitting the CTAC clips make my butt look bony.

As far as experiences so far, I did have to use a stall in a busy WalMart (I had to get more ammo). I hadn't practiced anything in the privacy of my own home but being a smart guy (and having read the forum) I pulled the IWB holster off my belt and put it in the leg of my pants. Unfortunately it slipped from my hand and immediately slid all the way down my pant leg. Thinking quickly (but not too clearly) I shoved my pants all the way to the floor hoping to cover up the gun if it had slipped out the bottom of my pants. I felt stupid for not having practiced anything but proud because I caught myself.

Business done, I worked the gun up my pant leg, reattached it to my belt and put on my pants. What I didn't notice when I dropped my pants all the way to the floor was the puddle at the base of the toilet.

So going back to the original question...nervous, no...self-conscious, yes...

...not necessarily because of the gun.

-Peter

[Stick]

I know this is an old thread, but there is a lot of good information here. Just finished reading it for the first time. I was nervous the first few times I was carrying. I've been carrying legally for 4 weeks now. It does get easier, mentally.

I have not had to worry about choosing standing or sitting because I use a heavy vest with a built in gun pocket. Nothing to drop or show either way.

I do use the old threads to learn a lot.

[G36 Steve]

Originally Posted by Stick

I know this is an old thread, but there is a lot of good information here. Just finished reading it for the first time. I was nervous the first few times I was carrying. I've been carrying legally for 4 weeks now. It does get easier, mentally.

I have not had to worry about choosing standing or sitting because I use a heavy vest with a built in gun pocket. Nothing to drop or show either way.

I do use the old threads to learn a lot.

We wish more new members would explore the old threads. Like you said, there's a lot to learn.
Welcome aboard. Enjoy and carry safely.

[Tom98915]

Originally Posted by wcpassegai

When you carry/use a firearm for a living you gradually go from self-conscious to respectfully self-aware as proper handling and safety becomes ingrained in you; I think that the same general thing happens with CCW licensees as they become seasoned. Nothing builds the proper respect for safety like seeing what a live round does to a live target.

+1

[m4bako]

Do you think I like to carry a NAA 22 magnum during church instead of my 1911?

Conceal smartly, if you let them know it may be dangerous.

Be careful of security guys, some will call the cops on you maybe even try to start a confrontation.

Remember a couple of ccw holders had being killed by cops resulting of these security guys or sheeps panicking calling 911.

Remember if a security or a sheep scream at you GUN!!!, do not run, but just leave immediately, don’t argue, just calmly tell them you have a permit and is completely legal, and LEAVE even the parking lot just LEAVE.

Some other holders had their permit pull because they accidently drop or flash their gun in a public place in front of many people.

Some other had being surprised by BG’s that knew they can get a free gun from you.

Don’t be paranoiac just be smart and be safe.

[Tom98915]

Originally Posted by m4bako

Do you think I like to carry a NAA 22 magnum during church instead of my 1911?

Conceal smartly, if you let them know it may be dangerous.

Be careful of security guys, some will call the cops on you maybe even try to start a confrontation.

Remember a couple of ccw holders had being killed by cops resulting of these security guys or sheeps panicking calling 911.

Remember if a security or a sheep scream at you GUN!!!, do not run, but just leave immediately, don’t argue, just calmly tell them you have a permit and is completely legal, and LEAVE even the parking lot just LEAVE.

Some other holders had their permit pull because they accidently drop or flash their gun in a public place in front of many people.

Some other had being surprised by BG’s that knew they can get a free gun from you.

Don’t be paranoiac just be smart and be safe.

Been there, dealt with something like that. The person I dealt with started a confrontation publicly. So rather than feed the confrontation, I simply left with my wife, never to return again.
Funny thing was, I was NOT even carrying when it happened.