How did it feel when you first started carrying?

bud11

bud11

New member
Moved from CA to CO about 5 months ago, and just picked up my first CCW (called CHP here) a couple of days ago. Already bought some holsters for my revolvers and am ready to start carrying. Just curious, how did it feel when you first started carrying? Strange at first? Immediately comfortable? Bud
 
You'll feel weird. You'll feel like people are noticing you and staring. You'll try different positions to angle that holster just right. Takes practice. What your doing at this time is developing a Every Day Carry System. Just do everything with safety in mind.

I'm a CA NATIVE TOO. Sacramento. I now live in PA. IM STILL TRYING TO GET OVER WALKING IN A GUN SHOP AND JUST TOUCHING THE HANDGUNS ON THE COUNTER.plus when you buy a handgun or long gun you get right away. Of course after instant check. You walk out with it. Absolutely AMAZING. UNLIKE CA WHERE YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 days. I came here for a vacay. Never left. Plus registration on my car was only $36.00.
 
I felt like everyone could see it and I kept waiting for someone to come up and tell me 'You can't do that" Now I forget I have it on
 
Treo said:
I felt like everyone could see it and I kept waiting for someone to come up and tell me 'You can't do that" Now I forget I have it on
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Same here, only to add... when in public, I tend to ignore the little things that used to piss me off.
 
I was super nervous, particularly any time I walked past a police officer or any time I entered a business with a "no guns" sign (if you've read many of my previous posts, you'll know that I routinely ignore those). As did it more and more using different kinds of holsters, that feeling went away. Nowadays, it's so second nature to me that many times I'll check to make sure it's still there.
 
vangg23 said:
You'll feel weird. You'll feel like people are noticing you and staring. You'll try different positions to angle that holster just right. Takes practice. What your doing at this time is developing a Every Day Carry System. Just do everything with safety in mind.

I'm a CA NATIVE TOO. Sacramento. I now live in PA. IM STILL TRYING TO GET OVER WALKING IN A GUN SHOP AND JUST TOUCHING THE HANDGUNS ON THE COUNTER.plus when you buy a handgun or long gun you get right away. Of course after instant check. You walk out with it. Absolutely AMAZING. UNLIKE CA WHERE YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 days. I came here for a vacay. Never left. Plus registration on my car was only $36.00.
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I hear you. CA DMV - 3-4 hours per visit. CO DMV - 20 minutes and cheaper. BTW - love PA as I was originally from there and parents live there.
 
I carry a "full size" Cougar 9mm. Sometimes it feels like everybody must know I am carrying, but I usually don't care. IWB holster so I have to adjust a bit when I sit down, etc.
J
 
I did feel a little self-conscious at first but that goes away. I've even had a couple of people stop me, shake my hand and say thanks for carrying - but then this is Georgia :lol:
 
I've had my permit for about a year now but only got my first handgun about a month ago. I've only carried a few times, since I can't carry at work and don't go out that much, and have felt weird. I have chosen to to carry concealed, rather than open, and have found I'm regularly checking to confirm that my firearm isn't accidentally showing. I do feel more comfortable after being out for a while and am sure that as I carry more regularly I will be less "concerned" about my my firearm and I will feel more comfortable, and look more natural.
 
I kept pulling my shirt down to make sure my gun was covered. But I was carrying a full size Glock so I had good reason and still do have good reason to make sure its concealed. Im planning on buying a subcompact Glock though so I dont have a giant gun in my pants during the summer when I have minimal clothing on.
 
You'll get over it, I started carrying a few days ago and the fear of someone seeing it will go away, depending on how comfortable you are with the idea of a gun being with you. I've gotting over it already. just try not to adjust infront of anyone, go to the restroom if you have to. GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS.
 
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Ditto on everyone noticing that I was carrying. Also for some reason I wanted to tell all my friends I was carrying,(why I have no idea but I did)!
I also obeyed every "no gun" signs even the ones that I didn't have to, (in Texas there are only 2 you have to obey and they are very specific on the criteria for the signs)
Now some 4 yrs later, as far as I'm concerned if the sign ain't legal I don't have to obey it, I also no longer feel the need to tell stores what they can do to ban guns from their stores. (I know I know! I was young and stupid)
Also I willing talk guns with every one I can. But I no longer will tell whether I have chl or whether I'm carrying or not.
 
I don't remember being very self-conscious about printing. I didn't, and still don't care because I have a legal right to carry openly or concealed.
Most of the men I know carry guns, legally or illegally, in their vehicles, if not concealed on their persons. Guns are so numerous around here that people just do not freak out about them.
The main change I remember after getting a pistol permit is the heightened awareness while moving around in different situations. I would try to decide the best reactions if attacked in different ways, different directions, etc.
I always had to resist the urge to snatch out my gun while clowning around with friends and family! :D
 
I was like most here. A little concerned about printing, etc. Not anymore. I've only been legally carrying for about 6 months but I take it seriously. I wake up in the morning and part of getting dressed is to put on my holster and drop the ol' Glock into it. I carry all day, every day except in my office or if I go to hospitals or gov't buildings. Its second nature now.
 
First rule when you’re carrying a gun “Any check your mouth writes just might have to be cashed by your ass”

As soon as I strap on a gun I give up the right to lose my temper. I give up the right to make smart aleck comments to passers by. I give up the right to do anything that may escalate any situation I’m in. Any altercation I’m in is a gun fight because there at least one gun involved, mine.
 
While feeling more secure, the responsibility of now carrying a gun on my person was much heavier than the gun. I live in Texas and it was years after Texas passed Concealed Carry that I felt that it was necessary to begin carrying. I've been a lover of guns and shooting all of my life, target shooter and reloader, but I wasn't crazy about having to carry a gun. It wasn't a hard decision to make given watching the news daily tends to give you a real sense of things falling apart around us more and more all of the time. Add to that the deterioration of our financial system and higher unemployment, a creeping sense of impending trouble reassures me that I made the right decision. I also encourage others to consider doing the same and help to teach firearm basics, firearm safety and how to shoot when anyone asks for my help. I encourage others here to do the same.
 
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