Are you doing anything differently now that you are carrying?

[Bombard]

I'm glad this thread bubbled up to the to, it was before my time.

(Sad to see so many posters I don't recognise. I imagne they aren't hanging out here anymore)

1) My style of dress has changed. No more polo shirts, now Hawaiian flowered shirts. Thank goodness for Jimmy Jaxx from Costco.

The long, untucked shirts also meant I had to buy a couple of longer jackets, so the shirts didn't show below them. Because that just looks dorky.

2) Stuff and kids do tend to be on the left side.

3) I avoid casual conversation with LE now, to avoid having to disclose to them.

4) Don't go to Karaoke nights anymore. It's not as much fun without alcohol.

[Poogsdad]

This is a great thread. Thanks for resurrecting it Tom98915.

People who have a CCW or desire one often do not consider the lifestyle changes that come with carrying a concealed firearm.

I have carried a concealed firearm for a good part of my adult life and cannot honestly remember have some type of sudden lifestyle change. I am sure many of my friends and associates who knew me in my early years could point out all kinds of changes that I manufested, however.

As I look at the list Inboost posted I see many things I have done in the past and to some degree may still do today. Thanks Inboost for reminding me, as I may have become somewhat apathetic about some things as I have gotten older.

For me, it seems to have been more of a gradual change that was brought about more by my occupation than any type of personal concerns for my safety.

A suit, sportcoat, or jacket have been part of my normal wardrobe for many years, whether I was on or off the job. This no doubt contributed to helping me adapt to CCW as a part of my "State of Normalcy" without causing some type of abrupt lifestyle change.

Like Tom98915, I also favor western style clothing when not working. I am not sure if I gravitated toward this style of dress because it better supported CCW or simply because of my interests in Cowboy Action Shooting and the Western Movie Masterpeices of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Regardless, it has also become a part of my "State of Normalcy".

Thanks again for resurrecting this thread. I think we can all benefit from it regardless of how long we have been CCW.

[OCCCW]

Great post Inboost, thanks. I am always looking to "make" others without really thinking of the clues I could unknowingly be giving out. I am constantly doing the elbow check to insure proper gun seating all the while thinking it could not be that obvious. My demeaner does not change. I started my awareness , pre-CCW, evaluating circumstance and scenarios having been in the (sometimes seedy) wholesale beverage industry in another lifetime walking into small stores and bars

I got the "cool" one handed hug down down.

[NSP]

Originally Posted by rycerz

Driving: it's not that I wasn't courteous on the road, but now I'm going the extra mile or two. It would be bad to get forced into a situation by an idiot (sorry, that's what it'd be) in another car just because I reacted to him flipping me off or cutting me off or something along those lines.

The thing that kept ringing in my head as I read your post was: "an armed society is a polite society, an armed society is a polite society..."

[Nightingale]

Originally Posted by Bombard

4) Don't go to Karaoke nights anymore. It's not as much fun without alcohol.

I'm going to be going to the armory and picking up my permit next week. I'm really not looking forward to not being able to order a glass of good wine when I'm out to dinner, but maybe I'll just disarm for dinner and leave the CCW to Libertarian, because he doesn't appreciate wine as much as I do.

[x-ricer]

i've lost track of how many times when i first started carrying that i would walk through a door way or past a cubicle and "thud" into it with my gun, not remembering that i needed that extra 3" of clearing...

i think people that noticed just assumed it was my cell phone being banged against whatever object it was...

needless to say, after about 1 1/2 years of carrying, i am much better at clearing obstacles with my hips now!

[Mtn. Medic]

I drive a little slower.

[sealbeach]

Originally Posted by Bombard

I'm glad this thread bubbled up to the to, it was before my time.


The long, untucked shirts also meant I had to buy a couple of longer jackets, so the shirts didn't show below them. Because that just looks dorky.

It DOES??? Now you tell me!!!

[1buba]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

It DOES??? Now you tell me!!!

That SOOOOO sucks. My wife was right again.

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

It DOES??? Now you tell me!!!

Darn! We were trying to keep it a secret from you! Yes, SB, we've been snickering behind your back since 2000. Your kids were the worst, they posted videos. Search You Tube for "Dorky Dad"

San Diego Leather Jacket Factory

I've worn one of their deerskin bomber jackets for 20 years. The stadium jackets are the right length for untucked Hawaiian shirts.

[Mad Geek]

The long, untucked shirts also meant I had to buy a couple of longer jackets, so the shirts didn't show below them. Because that just looks dorky.

Then this outta work out then, eh?

[huna koa]

more than 15 years of training in the martial arts taught me to avoid trouble at all costs; self-defense is a last resort; when you have no other choice. The code of Bushido requires patience and perserverance; kindness and courtesy, amongst other virtues. When the SHTF; your opponent/combatant has negated all of your mercies unless he surrenders. My dress code remains the same as before, my weapons are concealed.

[inboost]

Case in point, I was stranded in a poor part of town Friday night (engine fell out of new car ) about 100ft from where a kid was shot to death last month. This was the first time since earning my CCW privileges that I felt significantly at risk. I was far more aware of the risk and the countermeasures I would take to preserve my life than I ever would have been before undertaking the CCW journey. I observed the various pathways the foot traffic progressed towards the liquor store in close proximity and thought through my intended path of retreat if a threat came from any one of the particular areas. I was stopped very close to a blind corner of a building complex so instead of waiting in my disabled and immobile vehicle I retreated to a location I could watch all foot traffic and still hold some cover. I froze my a$$ off but felt safe. Once again I owe thanks to those who gave me the gift of awareness and enhanced defensive capabilities.

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by Mad Geek

Then this outta work out then, eh?

Yes. That won't get you noticed at all. It's urban camoflage.

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by inboost

Case in point, I was stranded in a poor part of town Friday night (engine fell out of new car ) about 100ft from where a kid was shot to death last month. This was the first time since earning my CCW privileges that I felt significantly at risk. I was far more aware of the risk and the countermeasures I would take to preserve my life than I ever would have been before undertaking the CCW journey. I observed the various pathways the foot traffic progressed towards the liquor store in close proximity and thought through my intended path of retreat if a threat came from any one of the particular areas. I was stopped very close to a blind corner of a building complex so instead of waiting in my disabled and immobile vehicle I retreated to a location I could watch all foot traffic and still hold some cover. I froze my a$$ off but felt safe. Once again I owe thanks to those who gave me the gift of awareness and enhanced defensive capabilities.

Ditto above. I used to call on places in Long Beach/Wilmington/Carson they were next to establishements with nefarious sorts. My last trip there, my biggest client had added locked doors and cameras for "approval entry." I felt like my a** was hanging out, but was glad for CCW .... I have analyzed more situations and places since CCWing. I used to just make sure I got in and got out .... I like my odds much better now.