With concealed carry just a short time away in Illinois, I've been researching products and talking to instructors to get ready. What I would like to know from some experienced people is how you felt your first day carrying out in public? Were you nervous like you were sure everyone could tell? Was/is it comforting to know you can defend yourself? Did you have any trouble with police or uninformed citizens? Any mishaps?
Your first time?
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nathanwriter
New member
For me, the first day carrying concealed was stressful. My Ruger LCP in its pocket holster was surely the first thing everyone would see. That feeling lasted for longer than I thought it would. Within four or five months, though, it was just another thing in my pocket. I use a DeSantis Nemesis holster and I wear my pants fairly tight. No one has ever noticed or questioned the the pocket bulge. As far as anyone knows, it could be a wallet or a phone. And that's just fine with me. The coming of winter presents more carry options, but even in the summer, everything is cool. Don't sweat it. And don't fiddle with the gun while it is concealed. That's a definite tell.
I'm an Illinois resident. I carried the first time in June on a motorcycle trip to visit family in Indiana. I had received my FL non-resident license a couple of months before. Stopped in Terre Haute to move my XDS from my transport case to my holster (N82 IWB). Was hyper conscious from that moment on. Found myself holding my arm close to my body on my gun side whenever I got off the bike. My brother who is a LEO took one look at me walking up to his house and immediately said "you're carry aren't you?" And laughed. Told me to relax. Will be applying for my IL permit as soon as the apps become available. I trust that with time I won't be so self-conscious. 
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jethrodull
New member
I was certainly more paranoid than was necessary, but after a while, I didn't care if people saw it or not. Now, I really don't care. I have to carry concealed, and I do, but don't worry about it a bit. And I carry a full size IWB, so it does show a bulge. Sometimes my kids tell me they can tell it's a gun, but again, I don't care. Never been questioned, never had anyone say anything, never been stopped by a LEO and honestly, probably no one has ever noticed. Before you started to contemplate carrying, how often were you looking at people to try to see if they were carrying? I know I never did, not unitl I carried did I start to look for others. It's just not something people think about. Carry on!
J
J
vernsimpson
New member
i would not worry about it unless you live in Chicago and that wacko Police Chief still has his job! I fully expect the Chicago police to harass anyone who has a gun to the point that people will not want to carry there. Trust me on this. I was born and raised in IL and lived in the Chicago area for many years. It will not matter if you are legal.
I hope the NRA and the other pro-gun groups keep a close eye on this.
I hope the NRA and the other pro-gun groups keep a close eye on this.
wolf_fire
New member
When one first carries, one is mentally focused on it and therefore feels that everyone else is too. We have a preconceived notion that others think like we do and at the same time we are thinking it. It's odd, but people do this. After awhile carrying will become as customary to you as having a wallet in your pocket and you will forget the notion that "everyone" is staring at you because you will no longer be concentrating on your firearm. The truth is, the bulk of the public are so wrapped up in their own little world and how important they are in it that they don't notice much around them at all.
When my wife makes me go out in public, I play a game to pass the time. I like to see how many people I can identify as carrying concealed. She always finds it amazing how many people I find, but she also admits, she would never have seen them if I hadn't pointed them out first to her.
When my wife makes me go out in public, I play a game to pass the time. I like to see how many people I can identify as carrying concealed. She always finds it amazing how many people I find, but she also admits, she would never have seen them if I hadn't pointed them out first to her.
telpinaro
New member
The first errand I had to run after getting my CHP was actually to pick up ammunition! I figured no better place to start carrying... even if anyone does notice, they won't care!
Oddly enough, the thing it reminded me of most was first wearing a mini-skirt. Guys won't get it (unless there are any drag queens in here :wink, but I simply applied the "Don't constantly check your hemline! It'll still be there! Be confident!" lecture to carrying a firearm and reminded myself to leave it alone. Worked like a charm.
Oddly enough, the thing it reminded me of most was first wearing a mini-skirt. Guys won't get it (unless there are any drag queens in here :wink
, but I simply applied the "Don't constantly check your hemline! It'll still be there! Be confident!" lecture to carrying a firearm and reminded myself to leave it alone. Worked like a charm.
wolf_fire
New member
The first errand I had to run after getting my CHP was actually to pick up ammunition! I figured no better place to start carrying... even if anyone does notice, they won't care!
Oddly enough, the thing it reminded me of most was first wearing a mini-skirt. Guys won't get it (unless there are any drag queens in here :wink
Just curious, where do you carry when wearing a mini-skirt? I've seen some lady's outfits, and am convinced that because of how form fitting it is, there would be no place to conceal. Unless, of course, you open carry with a mini-skirt... do you???
telpinaro
New member
The way I'm shaped (very thin and not very curvy), most women's clothing all leave convenient gaps right below the waistband. With the right cover shirt, I can carry in the 4 o'clock position wearing pretty much anything. I don't actually wear mini-skirts any more (getting a little old for that), but I still have a couple that I could definitely carry IWB in.
Maybe I should open carry with a mini-skirt... Could be fun!
wolf_fire
New member
Thanks for the info... always been curious about that.
If you do open carry with the mini, take a picture of your carry belt and holster in that outfit. I'm sure it will be one of the few times anyone will ever see that combination.
BluesStringer
Les Brers
I honestly can't remember my first ever time carrying concealed. It was around 35 years ago. I got a job as an unarmed security guard in a huge hospital, but all the guards there had their CWP's and carried anyway. I had a couple of guns at the time, but one was a single-six Blackhawk that I didn't have any leather for, and the other was a WWI-era "Ruby" semi-auto in .32 ACP that my grand dad left me. That .32 was as rusty and pitted as what's left of the hull of the Titanic, so I never shot it once the whole time I had it. Finally figured Grampy would approve of me getting the $20 bucks I got for it at a gun show, but I digress....
Anyway, one of the guards had a little .22 mag (they weren't called "WMR" back then) with a real nice Bianchi X-15 shoulder-holster that he said he'd sell me and let me pay a little at a time for, so I went for it. We didn't wear traditional guard-type uniforms, we wore slacks and a blue blazer, and the blazer covered that thing just fine. I really never felt self-conscious about it. 'Course, I worked mostly nights, and there weren't many people around anyway, and the Head Nurse's ol' man was a cop who made sure she carried everywhere she went, so even if I got "made" there, it probably wouldn't have mattered.
So get yourself a quality concealed carry holster and relax. When you look in the mirror to see if you're printing, don't worry, you are! But you only see it for what it is because you know what it is. No one else has a clue, unless they're a carrier too, and then it won't matter. The vast majority of the time though, not even other CC'ers will make you. Unless you've got multicolored spiked hair like a peacock, a bunch of piercings on your face, and those weird ear-piercings that are all hollowed-out with what looks like a lawn mower tire stuck in 'em, no one is really looking at you all that close. Relax, enjoy your freedoms, and good luck!
Blues
Maybe that's the trouble I was having: I like guns and check out magazines and websites all the time so everyone else must do it too, right? I'm sure you're right that most people don't even think about those sort of things.
The_Outlaw
~The Dude Abides~
First day carrying concealed taught me the utmost importance of a 'high quality' concealed carry holster....
DO NOT...I repeat...DO NOT buy/use one of those cheap $10-$20 holsters....
A quality holster is just as important as a quality sidearm imvho.
Farmhood
New member
I remember my first day carrying concealed. It was only on my property and around the house for about 3 months. That was after reading an article about practicing
and getting comfortable with the set up. Well it was very helpful and once my CCP came I sweat profusely while carrying in public for the first week.
Oh yeah to The_Outlaw quality holster thing...that's a big deal.
and getting comfortable with the set up. Well it was very helpful and once my CCP came I sweat profusely while carrying in public for the first week.
Oh yeah to The_Outlaw quality holster thing...that's a big deal.
F
FNWylde
Guest
Here's a comment I always remember on first-time carrying:
http://www.usacarry.com/forums/concealed-carry-discussion/29022-no-longer-virgin.html#post353083
http://www.usacarry.com/forums/concealed-carry-discussion/29022-no-longer-virgin.html#post353083
dogshawred
New member
Be proud of the steps you are taking to exercise you rights to carry.
Be glad you live in a country where you can still exercise those rights.
If you weren't a little worried about the whole experience there would be some concern, that said...try to relax and understand that we have all been where you are and we made it. So you will you and with each day thereafter you will be more accustom to wearing your jewelry without concern or anxiety.
Be safe and God Bless.
Be glad you live in a country where you can still exercise those rights.
If you weren't a little worried about the whole experience there would be some concern, that said...try to relax and understand that we have all been where you are and we made it. So you will you and with each day thereafter you will be more accustom to wearing your jewelry without concern or anxiety.
Be safe and God Bless.
Warrior1256
New member
Everyone is a little self conscious and nervous at first, it will pass.
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