So I CCW'd for my first time today....

[Eightball]

Alright, I'm admitting it, in case no one knew--I'm only 21. Due to my living in KY and attending college out-of-state, it has taken me 4 months to complete the various steps to obtain my CCW permit (what is usually a 1.5 month process--at least that's how long my dad's took, and he took his CCW class with me!). I drove home from college today (break time!), and was finally able to pick up my permit. So, after I walked the first load of junk out of my car into the house (to where my firearms reside), I took the OWB holster Japle (http://www.thehighroad.org/member.php?u=15963)gave me (for which I'm very thankful--college kids don't have too much $$$ to begin with :o), strapped on my 5" Kimber Tactical Custom II, and........

....figured out where the heck I could put it on my waist to where it wouldn't print under an old surplus OD field jacket :uhoh:.

That complete, I finished unpacking my vehicle, without one in the chamber (mag loaded, though)--as at that point, I wasn't comfy with Condition 1 (hey, it's my first time! Be gentle ;)). After I finished unpacking, I decided to drive to my workplace (retail at the FFL counter of a "big box" store--I work there off and on during breaks and such) to say hello to everyone, etc. So, I worked around any mental hesitation about Condition 1, and put one in the chamber, put on the jacket, and off I went to work (where CCWing "on the clock" isn't allowed, but I wasn't on the clock :p), to get in my equivalent of the "Wal-Mart Walk."

And, my manager greets me at the door (yikes!)---and nothing happens. He chats with me, and I walk up to my department to chat with co-workers--and nothing happens. Everyone I met was none the wiser that a full-size 1911 was walking around on a 6', 180lb. college kid with a surplus jacket on. Eventually, one of my more pro-gun coworkers (who hasn't gotten his permit yet) remembered that this was the first opportunity I had had to carry, and was curious if I was, if I had a holster, etc. Eventually, I informed him that I was packing my 1911, and he was quite surprised, as he couldn't tell at all! **(see note at the end)**

So, I left work, went home again, and my folks had come home from work. My dad (keeping in mind he has just recently gotten his permit, and is excited about firearms--my doings, BTW :D) said hello, and asked--"Are you packing yet?" Upon answering in the affirmative, he thought it was pretty cool, and was curious about my setup (man, I love my Dad!) **(see note at the end)**

Later on in the evening, I was about to get out to a movie with some of my friends--decidedly a less "firearm friendly" environment than the FFL section of my workplace. The entire thing went off without a hitch, and my friends were none the wiser ("Welcome Back" hugs notwithstanding). Well, there was 1 hitch.....trying to figure out a way to get to my wallet to pay for the ticket, without either printing or revealing my firearm :o (I succeeded).

And, I just got back/finished with my first day CCW'ing (still packing as I write this, actually). When I headed out "in public" with my piece, I have to admit--my heart & mind were racing, and I was worried about "getting made," but it eventually subsided, and everything went okay. To boot, I'm now more comfortable with Condition 1.

NOTE: I know, "Concealed is Concealed." Please don't rag me on it--the guy at work was cool with it, and isn't going to "squeal" or anything (not like I was breaking any laws or workplace rules, though). My dad is also cool with my carrying, and I have managed to get him excited about his firearms rights (bough himself his first firearm 2 weeks ago, after his own research--a nice piece, to boot!). So, exactly 2 people (other than me) are aware that I was CCWing today--and that only because it was my first day, and hey, I am/was kinda excited about it (in a very non-obvious way)--and a lot more people don't know :cool:

So, that's my "story of the day;" I figured y'all'd be kinda interested to hear it. But I have to admit--the weight on my hip is quite comforting and reassuring, in a way that only CCWing can be. :D

[ArchAngelCD]

Congrats on getting your carry permit. Remember, concealed means concealed. You have to resist the urge to tell everyone you are carrying even though it might be hard to do so.
Well, there was 1 hitch.....trying to figure out a way to get to my wallet to pay for the ticket, without either printing or revealing my firearm (I succeeded).
Carrying a firearm will require changes in your cloths and the way you do things. I found the easiest way to avoid "flashing" your handgun because you have to brush your cover garment aside to reach into your back pocket is to move where you carry your wallet. All you need to do is put your wallet in the front pocket opposite the side you are carrying your handgun.

Be careful and enjoy your 2nd Amendment rights. Don't forget to practice as much as you can because there is no substitute for a well placed shot.

[psyopspec]

I remember having similar sentiments when I first started carrying. Keep it safe, legal, and on the DL much like you're doing.

[Deanimator]

I got my Ohio CHL about a month and a half ago. I waited about half a day before carrying a semi-auto with a loaded chamber. The first gun I carried was my S&W Model 36. The next day (Sunday) I carried my Norinco M1911 on my usual walk around town. I stopped at the office and showed the boss my gun and Fobus paddle holster. While I was there, I chambered a round and have carried the Norinco that way ever since. I've initially carried all of my semi-autos with an empty chamber to make sure there weren't going to be problems with those particular guns. I haven't had any, whether the gun was a Glock 19 or a Browning High Power. I now carry all semi-autos with a chambered round.

[Deanimator]

NOTE: I know, "Concealed is Concealed." Please don't rag me on it--the guy at work was cool with it, and isn't going to "squeal" or anything (not like I was breaking any laws or workplace rules, though). My dad is also cool with my carrying, and I have managed to get him excited about his firearms rights (bough himself his first firearm 2 weeks ago, after his own research--a nice piece, to boot!). So, exactly 2 people (other than me) are aware that I was CCWing today--and that only because it was my first day, and hey, I am/was kinda excited about it (in a very non-obvious way)--and a lot more people don't know
My boss knows I carry. He's the one who took my picture for the photograph that you have to submit with the Ohio CHL application. We're in the process of cleaning out a former employee who embezzled a lot of money from the company. The guy's got a violent temper and has both made threats and claimed to own a gun (he's a convicted felon) in the past. The boss doesn't mind having somebody around who could stop the guy if he cracked under the strain and showed up armed.

The building in which we work isn't posted. The building next door, which is owned by the same guy, used to be posted. Then they had a problem with a guy who brought a gun. All of the "no guns" signs came down immediately. The owner is a gun owner, and I know of at least one tenant in that building who's got a CHL and carries. The landlord makes Robin Williams look comatose, but he's no dummy. He knows that blood and fishguts make lousy shark repellent and that "no guns" signs ATTRACT gunmen.

[Prepster]

Congrats! Sorry to hear that it took so long, here in VT the waiting period is 0 days because there's no permit to begin with. I'm sure that with time you'll get better at dressing around the gun, and soon it will become natural. I wouldn't worry too much about folks knowing that you carry, all of my friends know that I do and no problems have come about.

[ARS1911]

congrats, glad to see another kentuckian carrying and exercising his right to bear arms

[SRT1]

Everyone feels like they're wearing a volkswagon under their clothes the first time they carry. Glad to hear you got through your first day. Pretty soon, you'll realize that noone is looking at you and you'll be very comfortable with it all. If you're responsible with it, noone will ever know unless the situation dictates that you inform them (you are forced to draw).
Congrats!
SRT

[mgregg85]

You'll get used to it, you've gotta remember that most people aren't really expecting to see the imprint of a gun on your clothes. And they are quick to disregard any imprint they might see as a cell phone or pager.

[crushbup]

Can I just point out that using "CCW" as a verb makes no sense at all? I cringe a little when I see it.

Congrats on your first day of carry!

[Geno]

Congratulations! Be safe out there.

[SwampWolf]

Congrats! Other than being safe at all times, I have one piece of advice and this comes from someone who has carried a concealed handgun for thirty years on the job and six years afterwards as a "civilian" following my retirement: if you are with someone when you need to draw a pistol to defend yourself, there should be at least two people who are surprised that you are carrying- the bad guy AND your companion. It's my opinion that the only person in the world who should have any idea that you are carrying (excepting special circumstances) is you. Among the many reasons why I believe this to be so is that some people will act more beligerently in a situation than they otherwise would if they know the guy they are with is armed. No need to ever escalate an already volatile scenario needlessly.

[psyopspec]

"CCW" as a verb

It bugs me too, so I just modify it when I say it in my head: Carry/Carrying/Carried a Concealed Weapon.

[The_Shootist]

10 years ago - it was also a 1911. Thought the whole world was eyeing me about to scream "Gun"! In truth, nobody was giving me a second look.

Its even better today. With all the PDA's / cell phones / misc crap people are toting around, even if the gun printed - unless it did so with a big orange sign suddenly pointing to it - nobody would notice.

Heck, couple of weeks ago, after grabbing something from a top shelf at Wal-Mart, my t-shirt rode up and exposed my double speedloader pouch. Must have walked half way across the store shopping before I realized it and pulled the shirt lower. Even still, nobody even batted an eye.

My 642 by the way was concealed deep in my shorts pocket, not even remotely visible.

[rfwobbly]

Congrats on the permit. However I agree, better to leave your buddies guessing.


I was in the local Publix super market for a "honey do" on one of my first carries. The lady in front of me had small 2 "helpers" to manage, while at the same time place a cart full of food on the register conveyor. Every time she thought she was done, one of the kids would find something else hidden under a coat or kid in the basket. So on the third or forth re-total I made some wise crack about smuggling food. It was my way of telling the lady we fully understood her predicament and were glad to wait patiently. The embarrassed lady, the cashier, and the customers behind me all got a great big laugh.

Seconds later it's my turn to check out and the cashier yells out, "OK pull up your jacket and let's see what you're smuggling." Luckily, my gun was IWB over my right rear pocket. So I yanked up the front of my jacket and yelled, "Nothing else to declare!", and started laughing as before... all the while praying under my breath she didn't ask for me to pull up the jacket all the way around. It worked. Everyone in line started laughing again.

I kept my whits and walked out without a soul knowing. Moral of the story: be cool.

;)

[Smithiac]

Congrats on your first CCW

I live in IL but the first time I CCWed was in my house. My set up is a S&W 66 4" IWB holster. I walked around with it unloaded for a good while then loaded it leaving the chamber under the hammer empty. It was just me and my Girlfriend and when she hugged me to leave she put her hands on about my belt and caught me so be cautious of things like that as well. A money clip will solve your wallet problem you don't need all of that crap a wallet will hold anyway.

P.S. Im still waiting on my Florida CCW so I can carry out of state at least.

[Remander]

So I yanked up the front of my jacket and yelled, "Nothing else to declare!", and started laughing as before... all the while praying under my breath she didn't ask for me to pull up the jacket all the way around. It worked.

So were you going to show the Publix lady your pistol if she had asked you to lift your jacket?

[Vegas Silver]

Swampwolf wrote:

It's my opinion that the only person in the world who should have any idea that you are carrying (excepting special circumstances) is you. Among the many reasons why I believe this to be so is that some people will act more beligerently in a situation than they otherwise would if they know the guy they are with is armed. No need to ever escalate an already volatile scenario needlessly.

Good advice here.... You don't want someone else acting like a bigshot and writing a check that you will have to cash.

[Grassman]

I'm going to be getting my permit soon. Prolly won't carry much, but it will always be in the truck. I'm sure I'll get the ole"you might as well not have a ccw then" save it folks, to each his own. I like knowing it ain't far away.

[Prince Yamato]

All you need to do is put your wallet in the front pocket

That's called "New York Carry" as New Yorkers like me carry our wallets up front anyway :).

[Lookn4Brass]

Congrats. I remember my first time too. Out walking at night in 1990. Glock 17 9mm in a thin Bianchi suede inside pants belt clip holster. NOT comfortable! Anyway, listen to ArchAngelCD and Swampwolf had to say. I had an experience ring true about keeping the CCW thing quiet. A really nasty fight broke out in a restaurant kitchen while I was waiting for my food. Some friends and I were wondering if one of the guys was trying to kill the other one. One of my companions spoke out "Are you packin' ?! " a bit too loud for my taste. I then made it clear that we needed to leave, NOW. And that we did. Fortunately, the fight ended and I didn't have to pull out my Glock. There's a time to shoot, and a time to just let it go. You have to do some of the deciding where you "draw the line" ahead of time. It definitely helped in that situation. Yes, there are people out there who feel bigger when a gun is present. Choose your "disclosure" and your friends too. Have a great rest of the year, and treat yourself to only great holsters, with a strong belt to match, and don't wear short jackets! Congrats! :D

[ArchAngelCD]

That's called "New York Carry" as New Yorkers like me carry our wallets up front anyway :).
I spent 48 years in NY and moved to PA 4 years ago so I know exactly what you mean. My wallet has been in my front pocket for as long as I can remember. (and my money isn't in my wallet either :p)

[zammyman]

Congrats on the first day of carrying! I remember the first day, too, it does feel like you're carrying a Volkswagon (as SRT1 said). When I started carrying, I was always afraid any intercom page in a store was because they saw my gun. Act natural, blend in, and they'll be none the wiser!

[rfwobbly]

"So were you going to show the Publix lady your pistol if she had asked you to lift your jacket? "

No. There was no way I was going to expose my gun in a crowded store. Especially with a woman with 2 small kids in front of me and a woman cashier close by. All it would take for pure pandemonium to break out is for one of them to start yelling, "Eek! A Gun!"

I'd sooner the store cops suspect me of shoplifting and usher me to the back room than do that.

[rfwobbly]

I'm going to be getting my permit soon. Prolly won't carry much, but it will always be in the truck. I'm sure I'll get the ole "you might as well not have a ccw then" save it folks, to each his own. I like knowing it ain't far away.

Actually, that's a GREAT attitude.

If everyone that was even interested in guns and/or 2A Rights applied for a concealed weapons permit the numbers would be staggering. That would have a huge affect on criminals and politicians.

But I repeat myself. :D

Why would anyone hold up any store knowing that 1/3 to 1/2 of the people standing in line are possible CW permit holders? And possibly armed at that very minute. Criminals and politicians may be lazy, but they're not really that stupid.

Morale: A CW permit makes a nice Christmas present.

[SwampWolf]

Morale: A CW permit makes a nice Christmas present.

Now that's a heck of a good idea!

[BHP FAN]

''All you need to do is put your wallet in the front pocket ..''
That's where mine has rode ever since I first went overseas.We were in some pretty rough ports [very nearly got rolled in Barcellona ,of all places] and ever since,the wallet rides ''up front''.

[michiganfan]

I think for the most part we could all walk around with three quarters of our carry gun exposed and only one in a hundred people would notice.

[Jason M]

People keep saying "concealed means concealed", but to set the point in stone, here is a hypothetical that exemplifies that statement:

If you are carrying, it is imperative that no one but YOU knows it for the very reason that standers by will react differently if they know you have a weapon—even good friends! Being the carrier of the weapon, the decision to draw is solely yours with no exceptions. If 20 minutes after you told your friend you were concealing and the disgruntled felon co-worker comes in WITHOUT a gun and begins to argue lividly with the manager, what is then to stop your friend from saying,

“Don’t start nothing, so-and-so is packing!”

Or, suppose it is more fine-lined than a verbal argument. Suppose the employe hits the manager, but only once or twice then stops. With no immediate threat to his life, your legal responses with the weapon become much ambiguous with regards to the legality of your actions if the manager is no longer being beaten. Your friend, as long as you’ve known him, may make the brash decision to egg you on to draw. “Shoot him, shoot him,” may be the first words out of his mouth and now you have created a potentially exaggerated situation because a gun is now “known the be involved” by all the persons present when before it was only an irate employee and his fists.

Firearms take a situation to a level NO ONE wants to be in. For this reason, the firearm is the LAST AND FINAL RESORT to extinguishing even an outwardly violent situation. And unfortunately, to standers by who are afraid of the situation occurring, even if it is not life-threatening, may make the firearm YOU are wearing the first resort to dissolve the situation if they know you are carrying one. Brandishing a firearm is NEVER acceptable to dissolve a situation.

The only reason you should draw your weapon is to shoot it, simple as that. Concealed means concealed and the last resort is exactly that.

You’ll do fine and good luck with it all.

Jason

[Phydeaux642]

It may not be the norm, but I didn't look at it as being a big deal when I started carrying. It was just another thing to grab like my keys when I left the house.

Also, I don't make a habit out of telling people that I carry. I know some folks that carry that are also aware that I carry, but I have actually told several people that I am not carrying when I am. I figure it's none of their business.

[Jason M]

It may not be the norm, but I didn't look at it as being a big deal when I started carrying. It was just another thing to grab like my keys when I left the house.

Also, I don't make a habit out of telling people that I carry. I know some folks that carry that are also aware that I carry, but I have actually told several people that I am not carrying when I am. I figure it's none of their business.

That is a completely valid response. When I walk out the door, I think, "wallet, keys, phone, Kahr CW9, ok, let's go." I don't make a big fuss about putting on a gun. It is everyday attire for me now.

But telling people you are carrying is just not a good idea and most seem to agree with that.

[CoRoMo]

Congrats! It only gets easier, and more comforting, so try and make it a daily habit to carry.
Once I began carrying everywhere/everyday, I eventually got to the point that leaving home without it wasn't comfortable anymore. That level is where you might like to be, maybe not, but for me, I just don't feel safe unless I have that means of protecting myself, right there with me, everyday/everywhere.

[Brian41]

college kids don't have too much $$$ to begin with ), strapped on my 5" Kimber Tactical Custom II,

wow... i remember being poor and in college... a Kimber didn't fit the bill, in any way shape or form... well done...

If only i can convince someone to give me a gun because i can only afford a holster.... that would be a sweet deal