First Time Out w/CCW

nervous-concerned. you bet

It gets easier as you get more comfortable. It does take some practice and experience to know what will work. You need to get some confidence (the wally walk, though I ended up going a little different route and went to a restaurant after a range trip wearing a 5.5" Blackhawk in a shoulder holster under a shortsleeved button up shirt, untucked...in NYS).

After a few trips out and realizing that no one can see or care, the jitters fade.

Then you will start to collect holsters, belts until you find the right combo.

I was nervous as well. The first place I went was Wal-Mart, and I expected every shopper to turn around simultaneously and point and scream ala Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It didn't happen. I carry every day now and it really has become second-nature.

I wasn't nervous, but I was constantly aware of being armed. 10+ years later (or is it 15?) I never notice. You will get used to carrying, just like you get used to being married or being a parent.
-BothellBob

It's certainly natural/normal to feel apprehensive or nervous your first time...I sure did. After a little bit you get used to it and it becomes second nature. The other day my fiancee and I had a date-night...so we went to the movies/dinner. When we got back to the house, I took off my pistol to put it in the safe and her jaw dropped. "You've had that all night? I didn't even notice!" I reminded her that was sort of the point...haha. It's there in case I need it but otherwise unnoticable...you begin to almost forget it's there and in fact it's far more noticable when absent.

Steak & Potatoes

I realize some of you live in states with better laws then we have here in Nevada. But coming from California these laws are like heaven to me. Its like I have gone from peanut butter sandwiches to steak and potatoes. Hopefully we can move towards even better laws, or rather lack of laws. Steak and lobster if you will.

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I can appreciate your situation.

I used to live where you live now. Except that during that period I was totally gun-ignorant. I didn't get into guns until I moved to Carson City. Same state, different "climate" regarding guns. In your case, for example (and I'm presuming you live in Clark County), if you jump in the car and head for Parhump, you'll be in a county where the sheriff has absolutely no interest in knowing what sidearms you own, and no interest in having a list of them.

Yeah, true, I don't live there any more, but still I'd like to see that silly ordinance repealed. It was a concession allowed by the legislature when they passed state preemption, so that no other county or municipality in Nevada could impose restriction or registration -- the only way they could get the votes was to allow Clark County to keep its stupid "blue card" requirement.

One step at a time, I suppose. Getting the listing limitation removed from CCW permits is certainly a start.

I wish I could be nervous.

I am retired US Army so I have handled and carried weapons for years. My side arm was the .45. So being comfortable around firearms is important, but most important is having the confidence in handling a firearm.
The only difference with the CPL was that it felt different having the weapon concealed but not feeling nervous carrying concealed the first time. I'm looking at a Kahr P380 for improved concealment especially as Spring and Summer approaching.
I guess the one thing I have felt is an increase in absolute avoidance of potential conflict and being aware of my surroundings.

Good point about avoidance of potential conflict. You will eventually get used to carrying a gun everywhere you go and you will feel naked without it but you should never lose the situational awareness that you feel when you first get it and you should never lose the fear of getting into a physical altercation with someone when you are carrying. That is why an armed society is a polite society; you can't very well go down to the bar and get in a fistfight if you carry a gun because it could be taken away from you in a heartbeat or the situation might escalate to the point where you have to use it. If you ever have to pull a gun in self defense it needs to be in a situation that you did everything you could to avoid it or you will find yourself in a big legal mess.

It's now day three for me. Still feels a little strange to be walking around with a loaded gun in public. I keep telling myself if PA says it cool then it is cool. I had a good friend ask me if it gives me a feeling of power. Had to tell him no, it makes you feel as if you need to be even more responsible in your life than you were before.

That is exactly the right attitude. An armed citizen should be a model citizen. You have to be responsible. You are responsible for any situation you find yourself in and your actions reflect upon all your shooting friends. You have to have the moral courage to walk away from trouble if you can but deal with it decisively if you can't walk away.

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

I suspect the nervousness is related to several things ...

1. Number of years' experience with firearms
2. Type of experience with firearms (hunting, military, law enforcement, etc.)
3. Age/maturity of the individual
4. Gun/carry laws and regulations in the individual's area

There are probably others, but those occur to me off the top of my head.

Personally, carrying concealed as a civilian was something of a non-event.

Bravery and courage are neither the absence nor the opposite of fear.
They are the moments in life, when a person is able to move forward DESPITE the presence of fear.