New to CCW - Noticed something when out in public carrying

G

Galapagos

New member
First of all, When I carry I do so with a loose fitting fairly thick short sleeve shirt OVER a T-Shirt. My holster is INSIDE my jeans. Very compact LC9.
It is not easy to see that I am carrying. A trained eye could probably tell. Or I need to work harder on concealing?

If I was printing, it was extremely small type. Hard to conceal any more.

That said, when I was out today I noticed 2 people in a restaurant staring at me and one giving the head shake of disgust when I made eye contact. I'm fairly certain these people were very good at discerning someone who carries and detected that I was.
Now, it "could" have been coincidence, but I'm pretty certain I saw what I thought I saw.
I would say one was an off duty cop (quick assessment). The other an older gent.

I could care less. But being the first time I carried, is this something you guys see often or did I just luck out?

Do you get anti-gun morons or over-reactive cops noticing you are carrying and making stupid faces?
 
It's not unusual for those new to CCW to be a bit paranoid about somebody noticing. Believe me, you probably weren't made, you might have just had a booger hanging out of your nose! Seriously, people really don't pay that much attention. Relax and be confident. After all, you are exercising your 2A right.
 
Since you are just a beginner, you are just paranoid like all of us were at some point.

Just make sure you are concealed, and relax. Frequently checking to make sure your gun is concealed will probably be what gives you away. But most people dont have thoughts of guns running through their head 24/7 so if they do see something under your shirt, most people will not assume its a gun. If somebody like an off-duty cop notices and appears to not like, dont worry. Dont make eye contact with them and just mind your own business. He will learn to mind his own too when you ignore him.

But I guarantee that guy didnt even notice. He probably just made an expression on his face resulting from his conversation.
 
Are you sure they weren't looking because your fly was open or there was toilet paper hanging over your belt in the back? :)
 
They thought you put too much ketchup on your food.

Don't worry, it'll get less worrisome the longer you go. Those who don't carry won't even notice, unless the gun gets exposed.
 
I have a CCW here in NC, but open carry 99% of the time. And only 1% of the sheeple ever see or notice my gun. Most likely it wasn't your gun. Keep on carrying and it will be second nature to you.
 
I agree with everyone else, it was a unzipped fly or booger. That feeling of people looking at you will go away. The one post I do disagree with is the one that mentioned not to look anyone in the eye. If someone is eye balling me I will make eye contact. To me if someone cant make eye contact with ya then they may have something to hide. Just my thought though.

btw - congrats on makeing the right choice and joining us in the CCW world. The more good people the better!
 
Early carrying paranoia most likely. Most people are sheep and go through life in a tunnel vision of me, myself, and I.

One poster said, what would give you away most was checking the status of your firearm constantly. You will get to a point where wearing the firearm on you becomes as natural as wearing socks. You don't always check to see the position of your socks, and you won't be as hyper-aware of your firearm being on you.

There was only one time that anyone has ever giving me a hassle about carrying. We had invited a neighbor to our house and I had my firearm on in an OWB holster, but hadn't put another shirt on over it yet before the neighbor arrived. After a few minutes she asked why I was carrying... I let her know I always do.... she then replied, well I hope it's not loaded, you wouldn't be expecting trouble tonight are you? I smiled pointed at the fire extinguisher in the kitchen and said "I'm not expecting a fire either, but that thing is loaded too".
 
i'm not carrying yet but i expect to in the next few months meanwhile i need to practice handling a gun safely mindfully and when i get a holster and carry gear i will practice doing so in the privacy of my own home for a while first until i feel comfortable and confident enough to carry concealed outside my own home
i think i'll be ok with it once i get used to it
 
You worry to much!!!! So what if you print some once in a while, thats no big deal. I carry OWB with a shirt over it and sure it might print a little but 9 out of 10 people wont even notice. I wear button up shirts with no tail thats untucked and looking in the mirror its hard for me to tell even with a full size 1911 in a froward cant. After a while you will get to the point you dont feel comfortable not carrying..JMO
 
Yup as others have said, your just have new to carrying paranoia.
Almost no one would notice really, and if anyone spots a bulge they would most likely think of a cell phone or PDA.
I've heard some refer to their carry gun as a PDA if ever asked about a bulge...they just don't mention it stands for "Personal Defense Accessory" ;)

I've hit the grocery store after IDPA with my Glock in a big Fobus paddle holster with just a tshirt over it so it was quite obvious and never had anyone even glance toward it.
 
I have my life member sticker for NRA & a bumper sticker that says "HAVE GUN - WILL CARRY ". I do notice people alot nicer when I'm driving. I have been stopped 1 time in 8 years, because I was speeding in a school zone ( no ticket ).
 
when i get to carrying i'm going to keep it as concealed as possible as i don't want anyone to try and rob me for my gun another reason i don't even like carrying even a purse, but do use a fanny pack sometimes to keep my wallet and stuff in if my skirt has no pockets
 
these guys are right, you do have a sense of paranoia at first but after a while, you get to where you don't even notice it yourself. Once you get the confidence built up, even when people give you the stink eye (if they do) you will blow them off without hesitation. I still do try to keep my right side out of sight if possible like sitting in a booth or towards the wall in a regular table at a restaurant. As for out in the open, I just make sure my shirt doesn't fly up with the wind and am careful when reaching for my wallet
 
ah reaching for the wallet ........i carry my wallet in my back right pocket but may switch to the left being when i carry my gun it will be on my right side around the 330 4 position
 
Grow up kids. No nasal malfunctions.

Seriously, I'll have to agree with you guys. Probably just noob jitters.

It ddin't help that the VERY FIRST PLACE I went with my shiny new CCW there is a table full of cops two tables over lol

So if I had snagged my shirt and accidentally lifted it while getting up and one of the cops saw the top part of the handle....any problem?

Is the CCW law rigid enough that an accidental momentary exposure could land you in trouble ?
 
I am lucky enough to live where both CC and OC are allowed but if I'm not mistaken aren't there places where even printing is considered a breach of the rules? Just making sure, I believe I read that before.
 
Jitters...as stated, people don't pay attention to what THEY are doing let alone you, maybe you were eating meat and they didn't like that.....
 
Ditto on whaat everybody is saying on paranoia, don't know about the boogers or t-paper, but even that you have your permit, is open carry legal in your state?...if not I can understand the paranoia......a little...... if open carry is legal, clear the s-paper, pick your nose and go about your business
 
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