You NEW Concealed Carry people -

[mmb617]

I got my first carry permit 50 years ago and at the time I was a cocky young man who didn't worry about much of anything. After a few years I let my permit expire as I had pretty much quit carrying a gun anymore.

About 4 years ago I decided to get a permit again simply because I wanted to exercise my constitutional right to do so. I didn't really intend to start carrying again. But then once I had the permit I took a look at the world today and decided I did want to EDC.

I had a Shield that I was going to use as my carry gun, but then I bought a Compact 9mm and right away I shot it much better than the Shield, so it became my carry gun.

I appendix carry and even though I am a small guy the Compact conceals very well I think. It was only the first week or so that I thought everyone knew I was carrying. I soon realized as others have mentioned that most people are so wrapped up in their own little world, usually with their face buried in their phones, that I could open carry and they wouldn't notice. And even if someone did somehow notice, so what? I was completely legal, especially since gun buster signs do not have the force of law behind them in my state. As long as I stayed out of federal buildings, court houses and the post office I was good to go.

Now after a couple years of EDC I don't think about having a gun on me at all, and in fact sort of forget I'm wearing it.

 

[belladonna]

I am new here, still learning how to navigate the forum. I have several handguns in my cycle. I just got my permit(s) a few months ago, so I still feel pretty self conscious when carrying. I have a small frame so I am hyper vigilant about printing. Which gun I carry depends on what I am wearing and where I am going. I suppose with time I won't feel so self conscious. I must say though, I have become rather creative with my wardrobe as of late.

 

[Rustyt1953]

@belladonna...welcome and congrats on getting your permit.

 

[rwsmith]

We've been gun owners for 24 years....

I kept a gun around the house for HD and shooting fun. One became two and have grown into a small collection, some of which are suitable for HD I keep around in different places. I never really wanted to carry but I would like to have the option if I want. We are now signed up to get our CC this week. I've got to develop a concealed holster set up for both of us. I have a shoulder holster for myself (I have a strange build) but I'm open to whatever is comfortable. Getting my wife fixed up will be more of a challenge. I don't know if or when we will carry, but to me navigating the 'here you can carry' and 'here you can't carry' seems burdensome. I do take a gun with me when traveling in state, but it's not readily accessible except when we are where we are going. That may change with the CC permit so if we are stopped by the police I can show that to them if it comes to whether or not I have a gun in the car.

 

[CJH]

When I started carrying a bit ago I was completely new to firearms. I carried a Glock 19 at the time. First I was overly cautious with having a round in the chamber until I really got to know the firearm and be comfortable and confident with it. Then I always carried with a round in the pipe.

I also used to care a lot more about capacity. Now 5-8 rounds sounds just completely fine to me.

Second I was overly concerned with printing / concealment. Now I realize rando people in public just dint care enough about you to notice anything not blatantly obvious. I also ended up caring significantly less about things like a shirt riding up for a second when bending over or reaching for something. I conceal carry for the tactical benefits of hiding my tools from a potential enemy who might seek to do me harm. The odds of me needing my weapon are extremely low. That plus the odds of said assailant just happening to get a second or two glimpse at my firearm or holster precisely at that time are even way lower. I'm comfortable accepting those odds. I carry OWB now because it's significantly more comfortable and I'm significantly more likely to carry if it's comfortable for me. Benefits outweigh the cons.

Just how I used to think them and now after about 15 years of carrying

 

[Old cop]

I was a rookie policeman and a lot of old timers had great advice. BTW, when I was a rookie it was a requirement to carry.

Today LE Management wants you to be a great witness and you do not have to carry off duty. Just another reason I am thankful to be retired.

New Concealed Carriers should seek out mentors who will give them great advice.

Same here in 1968 & I got a lot of good pointers from the older cops in my division. My first off duty gun was a Colt Cobra purchased b/c my issued weapon was a 4" Colt thirty-eight. I still have that gun but it's not carried anymore. Retired 30 yrs later and am glad to be out of it, especially given today's political environment.

 

[Bill Lear]

I've been carrying handguns "concealed" since 1980. Whether the government says I can is immaterial.
I've been in multiple "shootouts" - one where I was armed with a Desert Eagle .44 and shot through a car door, another a Charter Arms .38 stoked with Glaser safety slugs against a car window, another where I pulled a Randall Model C and went to work - dude in the open trying to bum rush me. Another with an HK91 against two dudes in a Jeep, but they were smart enough to stop on command with a series of 7.62 NATO rounds set to go off in their direction.

Not all "civilian" shootings are cataloged by the cops. For many they arrive well AFTER the fact.

I've been in far more situations where the cops were never called, but the point was made.

Today I would NEVER call the cops to a shooting - NEVER.

If some scumbag makes the mistake of jumping in my house with me, he's going out wrapped in trash bags and packing tape - through the garage, into the trunk and out into a dry wash in the desert. There is no way I'll jeopardize my personal life and fortune by reporting that I had to waste some scumbag(s), only to be caught up in a civil suit designed to bankrupt me for doing what needed to be done. That's why the best home defense gun is a .22LR with suppressor to keep things nice and quiet so the neighbors don't hear. To the cattle-mind that might seem crazy, but what's really crazy is a system that's allowed to crucify law-abiding home defenders so some quasi-criminal DA can make a name for herself.

 

[Hair Trigger]

When I first decided to carry concealed, my first concern was to get a proper holster for every gun I would potentially carry that would hold it securely. My worst fear was I'd bend over or do something that would let the gun fall out on the ground. Now that I've been CC'ing for 20 years, I don't worry so much about that.

Second consideration was knowing where I could and couldn't carry legally, as the CC permit holds you to a higher standard and losing the permit by carrying where it was illegal (and being seen) was a concern.

I wasn't quite as concerned with complete concealment, as open carry is also legal in my state, but I really didn't want to be questioned as to "why did I have a gun", by any of the public and have to deal with someone who might make an issue about it in public (and they do exist), so I was careful to make sure whatever I had wasn't poking out from under a shirttail or jacket.

Nowadays, it seems to be less an issue with so many people carrying open and concealed, but I do still make sure I can legally carry into some places I go (post office, court house, bar, etc). I taught CC classes for about 5 years, too. It wouldn't have looked good to be found out when I'm teaching people not to do certain things.

 

[Smoke]

If I knew everything then that I know now I would have either kept the first handgun I ever bought (S&W 915) or I would have bought a Glock 19 and a Glock 26 in a private sale and never bought another handgun again.

I would have bought as many magazines as I could reasonably afford and a quality leather holster for each gun and called it a day.

Then I would take all the money I pissed away chasing "The Perfect Carry Gun" and invested in Microsoft.

4th Generation Glocks were introduced in 2009 If I could have found one in a private sale before 2013 I would have bought one.

As for how I felt, I've already said it. It went from being a big deal in which I was certain that even if no one else got in trouble for legally carrying in a given location I would.

Then it became less and less of a big deal.

Now it's become kind of a pain in the ***.

ETA: I would have bought one handgun from an FFL to account for having a CHP.