I expect to receive my CCW permit within the next 3-4 weeks. I have neither military nor LEO experience, but fired a variety of handguns, rifles, and shotguns when I was younger, and have recently started shooting again.

I've never carried a loaded handgun in public before. While walking the dog this morning, I started to think about the first time that I'll actually strap on a handgun and tuck it under my shirt. I expect it's going to feel odd... for those of you who DO carry, did you also feel that way, and how long before that feeling faded?

I took a local group's handgun safety course to satisfy the VA state requirement, and will follow up with more in-depth courses to ensure I fully understand the ramifications of VA laws, etc. And I will continue to test fire various weapons until I figure out which is the best for me to carry. But, no matter what, I expect to feel just a little bit different the first time I wear a gun.

I think most everybody does. It is amazing how many head straight for Walmart for their first voyage into CCW.

Just remember, the sheeple are not looking at you. You could probably put a bulls eye on your forehead and no one will notice.

Think about this. How much time did you spend examining other people's pockets and waistbands etc., before you decided to make the commitment to carry?


You will get over the nervousness after a few times out in the world. Then you will have the same feeling when you don't have a gun.

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Eccentric old coot

Iggy's right, Filbird. Probably all of us felt awkward with it at first.

Remember when you were a little boy and got your first wallet? And felt like a big wallet with a little kid attached? Carrying concealed for the first time is somewhat like that.

But notice how now, if you go out without your wallet, you're acutely aware that something's missing that you might need? It'll get like that with the gun, too.

Good luck,
Mas

Open carry is perfectly legal in VA. You don't have to wait until your permit comes if you don't want to, you're free to openly wear a gun while you walk the dog, take out the trash, etc. Whether or not anyone notices or cares will depend to a large extent on what county you live in.

Anyway, at first you'll probably worry that everyone will notice, that there's a telltale bulge, etc. Soon you'll realize that most people are oblivious.

Filbird, you are doing all the right things so far. Just remember that you can still open carry here in VA without a permit. Most people have no idea who is carrying and who isn't. Give yourself a test and go to your local mall and try to see if you can spot the people carrying. It's a lot harder than you think and you are actually TRYING to spot someone.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I've had my CWP for about a year and I have to say that it did feel very odd the first few times I was out and about. But, much like Mr. Ayoob's example of the wallet, it's become something akin to second nature (most of the time anyway).

I almost never leave the house for my evening walks without my EDC.

I will say that I do pay attention to other people now. Whenever I see a man with a fanny pack and I'm nowhere near a hiking trail, I think gun.

Gatorfarmer has it right, most people are oblivious.

I appreciate the comments. I kind of feel that it would be more odd to NOT feel odd the first time around.

Funny that we've gotten to the point in this culture where it would feel odd. I have not told most of my friends that I plan to carry soon, and suspect most of them would think I was nuts, or "wild west," or something like that.

But I can't get out of my head the experience I had a few months ago... walking the dog at midnight and noticing that someone was watching me and walking parallel with me in a little park across the street. Nothing came of it, I took the next side street and got the dog to pick up the pace, but I won't soon forget the feeling of utter vulnerability. The Richmond PD is very good, but anyone who thinks that they could have helped me in time if that clown across the way had wanted to rob me or worse, is crazy.

I hope to Christ I never have to pull my gun, but it would be ten times worse to need to pull it, and not have it.

I remember the first time I carried. It felt weird.

Man, that was a LONG time ago.

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Now go make God proud...

Carry religiously around the house before you go out in public. That will help you get your setup dialed. If there's a glitch, best to find it there. My first time out I wore two or three guns IIRC. One was a 4" 586. No one noticed.

Yes, it was very wierd at first. I've had my license about six weeks and am getting comfortable. I have to go on a bus trip out of state to Chicago and will not be carrying for the first time and expect to feel odd. Also, I am still going through various situations for the first time carrying (like carrying in a good friend's house who would be shocked to know) and expect that to happen for a while.

It didn't feel strange for long.

You want a strange feeling? Walk through downtown Chicago after midnight WITHOUT a gun.

Filbird, I suspect you'll feel something the first few times. It's hard to say exactly what it is...it's just "different." You will get used to it in due course.

I recall my first time as a LEO newly entrusted (midst rookie school) with a gun beyond the range. They gave us our Model 10's and sent us off into the world at EOT one afternoon. No advance warning but we were instructed not to load up in the parking lot and stop by the bar on the way home.

Next morning all of us showed up for class with our guns in a wide variety of modes. Some had IWB's, some had belt holsters covered with jackets, one had a shoulder rig, and a few had theirs in the box in which it was received. Of course my carpool buddy and I stopped by every "stop and rob" we could locate on the way in. At that time we probably would've been more liabilities than assets.

Ahhhh, the good old days!

Be safe.

Yes and every time I try a new holster.
I tried out a cheap Uncle Mike clip on
IWB today and I kept thinking it was going to pop out. I must have had my hand on it every few seconds checking it. It felt really bad and paranoid.

I have been carrying concealed since 1968. My first "off-duty" gun as a young policeman was a Pre-war, nickel, 4" M&P that one of the Captains gave me till I could afford something "better."

I carried "Mexican" with a shirt covering it and was sure that it stuck out so far that everyone knew it was there. Within a couple of months, I had my first J-frame and never, to the best of my knowledge was "made."

But there was that time in the supermarket, when my gun slipped down my pants, out the bottom of my jeans to the floor and, as I reacted, I kicked it halfway down the frozen food isle in front of all those old ladies....

Bob

A friend of mine went to the local Wal-Mart and, low and behold, there was "Bubba" who he hadn't seen in a long time. They had a chat and then my friend noticed Bubba was walking around in broad daylight with his .45 automatic on for the whole world to see.

It was at that point that Bubba realized he had been walking around the store for 45 minutes without his coat on! Not even one peep from anybody!

Most people out there are so wrapped up in their own little world I think you could walk around nekkid and they wouldn't notice.

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Centennial Every Day

It'll feel odd for a time. Mas' description is about the best I've read for it. As usual! (You DO know who he is, don't you?)

I did not realize that he was a member, and did not want to sound like a school girl

But, yes, I know who he is, and hearing that he felt odd the first time, considering his experience, training, and stature, made me feel quite a bit better about my own expected reaction to carrying my first concealed pistol!

Well then, you acted better than I did the first time he responded to something I said! 'Cause I nearly piddled myself!

I felt like I was wearing the gun on my forehead the first time I went out armed. I went to the mall. I walked around. I bought some items. I spoke with several shop clerks. Nobody knew a thing. After a week or so, I was fine. But the thing that struck me the most, and has stayed with me to this day, is the reality that those people I dealt with that day had no idea who THEY were dealing with. They had no clue I was armed, that they could have reached out a touched a loaded firearm at any time. I really drove home the fact that none of us know who we are dealing with out in public when we interact with strangers. That, really is why I carry the gun in the first place and that first time out with it drove the point home.

Actually I felt nuts but then I realized it was just a hole in my pocket.

Smitty

Filbird

Understand you feeling. I started in Law Enforcment at 21 and carried a weapon always. Later I got out and slowed down on the practice of carrying . Once moved to Fl got my CCW and started carrying again. Little odd at first but you get use to it.

I had a moment one Sunday morning walking the dog down an alley. I made the guy and knew he was about to make his move. When my hand slid under my shirt and I felt the grips of the model 36 I looked him eye to eye. Had been avoiding eye contact prior to that. He quickly moved to the other side of the road and picked up his pace. It is that quick and easy for "them"

Read you other post and respect you understanding of carrying and feel you will do the right thing

Well I can't get my ccw till my 21st birthday in December, but I do carry concealed around my house all day everyday, and sadly enough you would think eventually someone would notice a S&W model 15 4" in a black sheep belt holster poking off my side but noone has, and I got that feelin for a while too especially around company, but not really an afraid feeling but kind of like when you know a secret and you can't tell anyone, kind of empowered and confident. But I do enjoy it and I really dread having to take it off to go to the store or wherever, a few times I have been tempted to just leave it on, but knowing my luck an officer would notice I am carrying heavy and well.....

First time I carried, I thought everyone in the whole world could make me.

Now...I'll go all day and "forget" I've got heat in my pocket.

I always "check" before I enter a restricted zone, but for the most part, I don't even notice. I carry 24/7, in home, away, dressed or .....nekid! (OMG that's not a pretty sight! )

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G.P. Charlie

As you said earlier, Filbird, it would be more odd if you didn't feel odd the first time or two that you carry your concealed handgun with your permit in your pocket.

First off, you made the committment to invest the time and money into getting whatever training was required and to dot all of your "I's" and cross all of you "T's" to make sure you are legal. This isn't something you've entered into lightly. Furthermore, you have more time, consideration, and money invested in finding the right carry gun, the right holster, the right belt, other accessories, and reliable defensive ammunition. In short, you have a lot of emotional sweat equity invested here, likely many hours. Of course it's only normal to feel proud, nervous, anxious, and empowered when you step out into the world and you realize that all of that time and money is now coming to a "climax", so to speak.

Just remember to stay confident, stay discrete, and do your best to always avoid potentially dangerous situations. Also remember what a couple of the other posters said in this thread; the vast majority of people you encounter will have no idea you are carrying and will not even be thinking about trying to "make" you. Most folks, unfortunately, walk around in a state of complete unawareness.

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NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

It never felt odd to me but I've had guns on/around me since I can remember. Honestly, it was more of a relief than anything else. R,

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USPSA TY23298

Same here!
It was more of a relaxed feeling knowing I didn't have to worry about getting busted for carrying without a lic.

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Jeb

It has been a long time since I first start carrying. But yes I was very concerned about that Baby Browning creating a bulge

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too TOO young!!

It was winter when I first started to carry. I carried a 681 in a shoulder holster underneath my coat. Perhaps it made me feel better because I knew it was near impossible to see I was carrying. As the weather started to get warmer, I slowly transitioned to a 642 IWB. By then I was used to carrying.

You may feel people are looking at you, but it's in your head. A great story I read a while ago dealt with the issue of self consciousness:

Pretty much a group of researchers got together a handful of volunteers. What they told the volunteers was they would be participating in a study to see how the public reacted to people with scars or other disfigurement. They applied makeup to the volunteers to give them bad burns or scars on the face. They let them see how their new face looked and sent them out into the public. Before they got outside though, someone came buy to "touch up" the makeup... but really they removed it entirely. So these volunteers were out in public looking the same as they do everyday, but THINKING they had scars or burns or whatever on their face. All the volunteers returned with reports that they received a lot more looks than usual.

The point: It was all in their head.

My point: You may think that you're getting looks, but most of it will be in your head.

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- The Federalist #46 -

It's kinda like wearin' long pants,
I can't remember when I didn't...

Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

First time I carried I felt very self conscious and almost paranoid that everybody was looking at me. I guess part of it was also that the holster belt combination sucked so it didn't feel good or right. Once I found the right belt, from the beltman.net of course, and the right holster(mitch rosen) as well getting used to carrying, it all became almost second nature. Don't worry, you'll get there. Good Luck.

I just don't want to know where you have it when your naked!

It's been so long since that first carry excursion, I don't even recall what it felt like, but since it wasn't quite legal for me at the time, I suspect that I was a little uncomfortable for awhile. Now, it feels REALLY strange NOT to be carrying!

As photo noted, in many places, whether open carry is legal or not, most folks don't pay much attention to someone carrying, and just assume that one is LE, if he's carrying.

I've been carrying for a couple years, in a small town, rural area of NW Ohio. I felt completely confident with a NAA 22 mag with folding handle/holster, front pant pocket, or shirt pocket, soon completely unaware of it's presence. One day while in a dept. store talking to a lady clerk, I said, I'll call and check, pulled out the little piece thinking it was my phone. She saw it and smiled as I about p--d my pants, she said it's OK, and continued to convince me to purchase the item we were discussing. Naturally I bought it, (a 49cc scooter). It is so natural to carry that sometimes I have to touch it to notice that it's there, traded the 22 mag for a 380 auto though, and forget it is there too. Hope I never do that again, but the 380 is enough bigger that I probably won't confuse it for the phone again. Jim <><

I am sort of a paradox here. I have a lot of handguns, the intrest and a ccw. Yet I really dont carry that much of the time. I carried over 35 years on my guard job, and probley close to 45 to 50 on and off the jobs. I am retired in a safe area. When I go somewhere I do at least have one in my vehicle if not on me. So I really can hardly remember felling self concious about it. I do remember the first time. I was about a 14 year old kid and my uncle found a old U.S. Arms company .22 revolver in some junk and gave it to me. It was in parts in a bucket. I couldnt find the part that made it double action, but it still would shoot single action. I carried it awhile in a old bomber jacket. He was nobodys fool and came over one day and "made" me instantly!
When I do choose to pack, I just throw a snub in my pocket and hardly give it another thought.
I get in the boonies a lot rideing quad. A big part of my life. Then I carry a belt gun. However if I am around people I usualy drape a shirt over it or take it off and put it in the scoot boot. A friend of mine that I ride with wears a smith 9mm. He doesnt care, and I have walked into resturants with him openly carrying it, and no one has yet to say anything. However, I am more discreat, I at least will take mine off when we get to populated areas. On the trails, I dont think about it.

I started carrying around the house and in the yard a week or two before my first day of public carry which was March 21 2009. So "the feeling" is still fresh for me, and I still get "the feeling" in new situations, although it's become fewer and further between. I don't even know what "the feeling" is exactly. Initially it was a hyper-awareness of 'loaded gun, loaded gun, loaded gun' every time I would bend or stretch or do something else that would bring it to my attention. That is something I wanted to be over by the time I carried in public. Because I figured that when in public, I need to be aware of what's going on around me. If I'm focused on 'loaded gun. am I printing? is he staring at my waist band?' I'm defeating the purpose of carrying at all. Anyway... that's my two cents.

Back to "the feeling". I got it that first Sunday I was carrying in church. I got it the first time I was around family members (and their children). I got it the first time I was with friends and in their homes. I got it when I arrived at work that first Monday AM.

What started to happen for me was, as my senses became sharper I started to realize that people are mostly oblivious. I know I'm kind of re-stating what's already been said by far more experienced posters than me but it's all true.

I live in a state where concealed means 100% absolutely concealed. Through my carry methods and choice of weapon, I am able to make certain that I'm not able to be made.

As a recommendation, I would carry around the house for a while. For me it was a couple weeks. I think that allowed the weapon and holster to "settle in" as a system. Anyway, I hope that helps. Long story short, yes, you will feel different and yes, that is normal.

I was age 20 when I first carried as a police officer. When in uniform at first I even felt everyone was looking at me due to being part of a minority participant in the town while working. No racial thing, I was a minority in that I was the only cop on duty, so I was only one visible packing legal ( no permits back in the 70's) and off duty, it was odd at first. I learned from other officers and by trial and error, how to buy certain clothes just as we try to buy certain holsters, all with the goal of concealment. New cops often are taught and reminded often, a gun does not make them tougher and it is not to be used to settle disputes, except as a last resort. Don't worry too much, adjust your current clothing, such as buying a coat a size up or something similar, especially if you carry a full size auto and extra mags in a shoulder system. Most of the time, I just carry a 5 shot 38 snubbie in my front pocket.

No, but I felt entirely too smug toting a .45 automatic beneath the three-piece suit that was popular back in the day...and no one knew!