Are you doing anything differently now that you are carrying?

[rycerz]

This story is going to break the mold a little bit as it does not talk about specific but rather overall changes to thought process and realization of how things work.

For starters, I have noticed that I mostly carry my groceries and other items as I am out and about mostly in my left hand thus leaving the right hand free. It is not something I conciously started doing, but rather noticed after a while.

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.

If I am walking down the street and I see a rowdy crowd having a LOT of fun I will avoid that crowd if possible: walking through the middle of them might not be the brightest idea in the world.

What am I getting at? the fact that one has a CCW does not mean that they should boldy charge everywhere as it's not a badge, it's not a license to become the saviour of the world and others, it's means for self protection. It does not mean though to be afraid of everyone and everything. It just means using a lot more common sense then before.

[ChrisG]

I find myself doing pretty much the same as you. One thing that I have noticed: When I was going through the approval process I thought I might be nervous around LEO's when I was carrying. That is not the case at all, I have no problem interacting with them. I guess it's one of those things that as long as you're not doing anything wrong you shouldn't have to worry.

[THaves]

Rycerz

By default you a doing the right thing which is great. If your carrying on your right hip you always want your right hand free. I do not even carry my car keys in my right hand. Everything I need is in my left pocket so I do not reach and expose my weapon.

When it is windy and I have a jacket on I use my right hand to stop in wind blowing my cover, last week I walked into the bank like that, I could see the security guard looking at me but he had no idea why I walking with my right arm pinned to my side.


I guess the only time you are vulnerable is when you shake someones hand, or Pee.


I am still nervous around LEO, they are not all as freindly and kind and understanding as 45 ACP, so I go out of my way to stay out of there way.

[ChrisG]

Originally Posted by THaves

Rycerz

By default you a doing the right thing which is great. If your carrying on your right hip you always want your right hand free. I do not even carry my car keys in my right hand. Everything I need is in my left pocket so I do not reach and expose my weapon.

When it is windy and I have a jacket on I use my right hand to stop in wind blowing my cover, last week I walked into the bank like that, I could see the security guard looking at me but he had no idea why I walking with my right arm pinned to my side.


I guess the only time you are vulnerable is when you shake someones hand, or Pee.


I am still nervous around LEO, they are not all as freindly and kind and understanding as 45 ACP, so I go out of my way to stay out of there way.

LOL, yeah. 45ACP should be the poster child for "kind and understanding". Just yanking your chain a bit Officer sir.

[Sigman]

Although my app is still pending I think it has made me a better person. I don't want to do anything stupid to lose my CCW before I even get it. Not that I was a jerk before but mentally I've learn to just let it go and keep my cool.

[Hal-Koll]

I do the usual stuff like carrying my wallet, keys and phone on my left since I started a few months ago. Also try to keep my kids on my left when we are walking. I like trying to spot other people who might be carrying. I was at a function last week and "made" someone I know quite well. I politley asked him if there was something wrong with his colostomy bag.

Kurt

[BexSoCal]

Originally Posted by THaves

I am still nervous around LEO, they are not all as freindly and kind and understanding as 45 ACP, so I go out of my way to stay out of there way.

Yeah, he's a modern day Ganghi!

Seriously though, i have always been an outwardly friendly person in public which is how i earned the title of "Mom" in my neighborhood back in NYC. So i have not behaved any differently in my dealings with people.

However, where a CCW has changed my life revolves around why i have a CCW. I carry not because of a general threat but a very specific one. As a result everything i do at everyplace i go has me constantly thinking he's gonna be around the corner or behind the door. So my mind is constantly replaying my training, imagining the scenario around the corner and just making sure i'm ready and safe.

That may sound paranoid to some, but imagine what my life was like when i had to round that corner or go through that door when my only defense was harsh language.

[TaxMan]

Like THaves, I too am more careful to make sure that my right hand is free and I keep keys, license, etc., on the left side. Like ChrisG, I also am not nervous around LEO, as I thought I might be. While driving, I've developed a habit of taking my licenses out of my pocket, for better access, "just in case". When I'm in restaurants, banks, stores, etc., I familiarize myself with emergency exits and I try to always sit/stand facing the entrance. Many of these thing, of course, I really never thought much about pre-CCW, I think the training and interaction with those that are "in the know", has made me just a bit more cautious in my everyday activities.

[inboost]

I've scheduled my initial interview for Monday, and in these past few weeks have already begun to clue in on the very same things all of you are touching on. Situational awareness isn't paranoia, it's 'extended' common sense. My wardrobe is evolving too and I'm not even a 1/10th of the way into actually carrying. I saw this list somewhere on some similar kind of forum and thought it was a thoughtful way to critque your own carry style to best avoid giving those around you 'too much information'.

How to spot CCW (Unreferenced quote from a post on another forum, thanks to whomever is responsible)

• Pulling down a shirt or jacket.
• Odd or inappropriate clothing for conditions. Vests/jackets in hot weather for example.
• Fanny packs when pants have plenty of pockets.
• Fanny packs that obviously have something heavy in them.
• One arm kept close to where a holster probably would be. This arm doesn't swing freely with walking motions. Shoulder holsters generally have this "tell" more often than waist holsters because shoulder holsters tend to flop around a bit.
• Hitching up trousers often. There is a reason those pants keep falling down. Could be suspenders are needed or it could be something heavy on the belt or in the pocket keeps dragging them down.
• Exceptionally long pant legs with one leg where the material doesn't "flow" as well as the other when walking. Indication of a possible ankle holster restricting the pant leg's motion.
• Elbow checking gun.
• Belt at an angle. Possible weight pulling it down.
• Sagging pants or jacket pockets.
• Reluctance to remove a jacket when inside a building.
• One arm furtively holding a shirt from riding up when reaching for something.
• Shoulder going up before exiting a car as the gun is either reholsterd, checked for positioning, or clothing adjusted.
• Keeping one side of the body at a slight angle away from the person in front of them.
• Sudden "ramping up" of awareness level when a stranger gets too close to the gun side.
• Changing positions to keep one side away when approached by a stranger.
• Swinging wider than necessary to get through a door.
• Taking an advantageous position in a room when there are plenty of other places available.
• Constantly scanning the area showing a high level of awareness and alertness but without any signs of fear.
• Keeping attention on a shady character but without any signs of fear or apprehension.
• A hand goes into a pocket, and stays there, when a shady character is spotted.
• Even how a person walks can be an indicator. Heavy weights on one side cause a slight lean that goes unnoticed by the person carrying.
• Hugging with arms under the other person's arms forcing their arms away from bumping a gun.
• A dull "thud" if something is bumped into.
• General demeanor............... Ever notice the mannerisms and vibes projected by an off duty cop? Concealed carriers have a somewhat similar but lesser degree of confidence and situational awareness that shows.
• And even the smell of leather... unless a person is wearing a leather garment of some kind the smell of leather can indicate a holster.

[rycerz]

Originally Posted by inboost

[*]And even the smell of leather... unless a person is wearing a leather garment of some kind the smell of leather can indicate a holster. [/list]

Or... smell of hoppes #9. I read of someone spotting another CCW guy (or rather smelling) and pointing it out to him that a freshly cleaned gun with too much hoppes will smell

[ChrisG]

Very interesting post inboost. I find myself doing alot of the things mentioned in your list. I am comforted by the fact that it is NOT most.

[Spicy McHaggis]

That list is kind of humorous. It makes me think the title of that thread was something like "How to spot a criminal carrying a concealed weapon" or "How to spot someone new to CCW".

Some of those make it sound like the person is carrying the BFG9000* or something. It's actually a great list of "what not to do" when CCW. Although a few of those on the list are good reminders of what you should do in certain situations.

I was in a store one time and saw a guy carrying concealed but OWB. How did I know? His barrel was sticking out of the bottom of his jacket. D'oh.


*BFG9000 reference - BFG9000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for those of us that don't play video games.

[spc]

Great share Inboost..
Most people will never even come close to being aware enough to notice CCW folks even with some of the 'give aways' that were mentioned in your list.
There are generally two kinds of folks that are more aware than the rest of the crowd. Sheep dogs, LEO and CCW types will most often have a higher awareness of what is going on around them than the general population. Criminals are the other types that often have a higher awareness. They are looking for an easy score.

For many years I have prided myself with the fact that I generally have a solid awareness of what is going on around me. This is something I have consciously attempted to develop and maintain through out my life. One of the best ways for me to keep my awareness high is to notice movement of anything around me and check it out. I started out with my awareness training because of sports and driving. In both situations you need to be aware of what is going on around you to be effective and efficient. When I started skiing I always checked my 6, as you do so while driving through your rear view mirror, doing so while skiing along at 35-60 mph is necessary, you need to be sure there are no moving obstacles that can cause problems.

The importance of awareness and confidence while going about your everyday life is going to make you a safer person to begin with. Criminals prey on the weak, old and unaware. They do not want to be bothered with a difficult mark as it would be too much effort as a general rule.

I live in an area where the crowds are not thick as in the city, so it does make my job a little easier, but even in crowded areas it is still very important of be on your toes.

spc

[More Cowbell]

I was a pretty observant (paranoid) person before carrying. I think I'm a little more so now. I avoid situations where trouble might arise. Always have. I'm basically a chicken.

I do find myself more aware of my weapon. My elbow checks it. I avoid contact on that side. I'm fortunate in that I've always been a big overshirt kinda guy, so that is me carrying or not.

[Tom98915]

My girlfriend and a close friend I shoot with both commented I am a lot quieter than I used to and am more polite in public even if someone is a jerk towards me. My clothing style has changed significantly too, but since I mostly wear western style clothing and outer wear it's pretty easy to keep concealed and no one has even noticed.

It is true - when you carry you choose what you say wisely is since you might have to back up your words with your life.