Hi,
Welcome to the world of the sheep dog. As a "good sheep" for so many years it is natural to feel suddenly like a "bad sheep" . . . kind of like you are suddenly a "nut," or a "paranoid" sheep. But you are not. Instead, you are now a "good sheep dog!" You are still one of the good guys . . . certified as a person able to pass a background check . . . and a lot more in many states.
The first test for you is to do the
"Wal-mart Walk" as you test whether the minimum wage greeter and all the folks at Wal-mart "notice." They don't have a clue. Neither did you until you started packing! The
"Wal-mart Walk" is an unofficial rite of passage it seems . . . a logical place to get over your jitters. It is also a place you SHOULD pack.
WHO NOTICES . . .
Like a pot head can spot other pot heads, the only people who MAY "make" you are the other good guys and the cops. If a cop is concerned, he might approach you . . . but your actions are licensed and TOTALLY legal. After seeing your "I am NOT a convicted felon" license, he'll surely be cool with you. After all, in an extreme emergency when the sheep are cowering and he's stuck absorbing bullets from bad guys . . . he knows there's a sheep dog nearby who is totally concealed, and probably about to unleash a surprising fury on the unsuspecting thugs . . . and this MIGHT just save the cop's life!
I assure you that in time you won't be self-conscious anymore.
I attended a Christmas party and had a great conversation with a veteran Atlanta police captain who was also a guest. We talked in length about the reduction in crime reasons in Atlanta last year. We also talked about armed, legal citizens and he was all for it! He NEVER "made" me . . . yet my "always" J-frame S&W revolver was in its discreet pocket holster. Ironically . . . he was NOT packing!!!
Well . . . maybe he DID make me, but I don't think so. Either way . . . I didn't care, for I was legal . . . and was no threat to anyone there. Heck, I'm no threat to ANYONE . . . unless something bad happens and I CHOOSE to bite back.
Heck, I now even pack when I'm mowing my lawn on a hot summer's day, wearing nothing but gym shorts and a t-shirt. My S&W Airweight snubbie does just fine, even in those light shorts . . . and I get a kick out of talking to folks and KNOW that they are totally clueless that their neighbor has a "snubbie in his pants!"
Welcome to the world of sheep dogs . . . now relax and start acting cool . . . you have NOTHING to worry about!!!