The Walmart Enterence (first time carying)

[Guest Tyson1]

I got to enter walmart for the first time since getting my permit....to everyone that said it feels different..........I totally agree....I'm still young (23) so most of my clothes fit the teenage ways (now days shirts are 2 sizes too small, and pants are 2 sizes too big ...) but i'm in the transition....i kept worrying that my shirt was going to come up, and show everyone what i had on the small of my back (kahr cw40 in a High noon hidden alley holster). but then i was thinking...who cares...i'm able to protect myself i need be...

[Im Neero]

As time goes on you'll care less and less whether your shirt comes up or not.

[dunndw]

As time goes on you'll care less and less whether your shirt comes up or not.

+1.

I can remember spending several minutes in front of the mirror to my sure nothing showed...now...I toss a 1911 iwb and grab any shirt that's clean to run out of the house.

I think about it for a second if I'm going to a client site..other than that...not really. I think it comes with your comfort level.

[Guest dwrd]

My first run was Target, Walmart and Best Buy. I had been carrying around my house for the month before the card came in the mail, so I didn't even really think about it when I went into the stores.

[creeky]

It seems to me that most people are very unaware of there surroundings.

Wrapped up in everything that they are doing they hardly notice anything.

Much less what something might be.

[Guest Glknknox]

I agree, over time it's just like putting your wallet in your pocket or wearing a watch.

Just another thing to carry around........only for a different reason

[EMTRN]

I got mine 9 years ago. I feel weird NOT carrying, now.

[Guest canynracer]

I feel weird NOT carrying, now.

+1

[I_Like_Pie]

to everyone that said it feels different..........I totally agree

The biggest thing that I kept on doing when first carrying is figit with the holster...every time I stood up and "made sure" that the gun was still there or hasn't moved. I think that poor holster selection was partially to blame, but it did take a while to get used to carrying something new on the belt.

It was not unlike getting used to my ring for a couple of months after getting married. After time you won't even think of it, and like a pocket knife you will feel "naked" if you aren't carrying.

[dunndw]

I've found myself being...too comfortable carrying sometimes. I don't forget that I'm carrying..but I forget that other people might "sheep up" if they see it.

I had some cable runs last year in a attic..in July. I was drenched in sweat and basically forgot to put my cover shirt back on when I stopped for fluids. No one seemed to notice the sweaty guy in my tacticool 5.11 pants and the tucked in Underarmor T shirt with the 1911 on his side.

Or they assumed I was LEO or military (I was in Clarksville)

You will feel naked without your pistol after a very short time. The VERY few times I'm not carrying...it feels wrong. Not to mention my pants don't fit properly without a pistol to take up the extra room.

[Fallguy]

You'll see that no one notices it or thinks of it other than you...and you won't either eventually.

[Tim Nunan]

I've found myself being...too comfortable carrying sometimes. I don't forget that I'm carrying..but I forget that other people might "sheep up" if they see it.

I had some cable runs last year in a attic..in July. I was drenched in sweat and basically forgot to put my cover shirt back on when I stopped for fluids. No one seemed to notice the sweaty guy in my tacticool 5.11 pants and the tucked in Underarmor T shirt with the 1911 on his side.

Or they assumed I was LEO or military (I was in Clarksville)

You will feel naked without your pistol after a very short time. The VERY few times I'm not carrying...it feels wrong. Not to mention my pants don't fit properly without a pistol to take up the extra room.

I too may have become too comfortable carrying. I used to be on a rescue committee for a dog club. We do home visits prior to placing a dog and apparently someone saw my carrying gun (Nothing was said by the homeowner at the time.) and the word got back to the club. The club directors thought that me carrying into an known situation reflected poorly on the club and I was removed from the committee.

Bottom line is there can be consequences for our decision to carry.

[Mike.357]

As time goes on you'll care less and less whether your shirt comes up or not.

I personally could care less if someone sees "it". Depending on what I am wearing either of the carry guns prints like all heck. Dark T shirts seem to show less, but being summer I tend to wear lighter colors.

In short order you will get past thinking everyone sees it, they don't.

[Guest Rando]

I've found myself being...too comfortable carrying sometimes. I don't forget that I'm carrying..but I forget that other people might "sheep up" if they see it.

I had some cable runs last year in a attic..in July. I was drenched in sweat and basically forgot to put my cover shirt back on when I stopped for fluids. No one seemed to notice the sweaty guy in my tacticool 5.11 pants and the tucked in Underarmor T shirt with the 1911 on his side.

Or they assumed I was LEO or military (I was in Clarksville)

You will feel naked without your pistol after a very short time. The VERY few times I'm not carrying...it feels wrong. Not to mention my pants don't fit properly without a pistol to take up the extra room.

I too may have become too comfortable carrying. I used to be on a rescue committee for a dog club. We do home visits prior to placing a dog and apparently someone saw my carrying gun (Nothing was said by the homeowner at the time.) and the word got back to the club. The club directors thought that me carrying into an known situation reflected poorly on the club and I was removed from the committee.

Bottom line is there can be consequences for our decision to carry.

I dont have a problem filling my pants out, NO NO , I have to much junk in my wallet and have added a few pounds! I am somewhat uncomfortable with the IWB's that I have tried so far so that hinders my carry some, I tend to carry smaller calibers than I really like to, mostly in warmer weather. Tim as for your deal sounds like there loss to me:screwy:!!! I am on my third renewal and still am somewhat I guess you could say nervous about people seeing it. Not really about someone saying something but I dont want anyone knowing that is why I usually go 100% concealed cause what the bad guy dont know cant hurt me. ( but might sting his arse )

Rando

[Punisher84]

I got mine 9 years ago. I feel weird NOT carrying, now.

I've been carrying everyday for a little over 2 years and I'm the same way. I've found now that I have different guns for different manner of dress, but usually it's the 1911 on the hip with a loose button up. The Kel-Tec hides under anything though.

[DWARREN123]

I can not carry at work and at times find myself adjusting my firearm when it's not there!

[Guest michael1]

I have carried for so long I fill strange if I dont carry.

[BBill_TN]

You are right that it feels weird at first. I have been carrying in public since January, but cannot carry to and from work so only carry on days off or trips to town before or after work. But I was off today and carried to take my Mom to the the doctor's office, also carried in the auto parts store and the liquor store. I have learned that most people have no clue that you are carrying; even friends always ask me why I am not carrying, until I tell them that I am. Wal-mart has always been very comfortable for me to carry in, but I still feel weird buying ammo there while carrying though for some reason:) Even was wearing my TGO hat to the liquor store and wasn't worried about being given away:)

[Guest betobeto]

I've been packing for around a 9 months. At first I always kept making sure it was hidden. After awhile though you don't even think about it. I also always carry two guns now, my kel-tec and my G26. If Im going into a place that is none gun friendly I drop my Glock and no one ever knows the kel-tec is on me. Basically I won't be caught dead with out a gun. On a side note, my 3 year old son told a walmart cashier that I had a gun and I could show her:tinfoil: I had a little talk with him when we left about telling people that dady carries:) You got to love the kids..

[Guest db99wj]

I've been packing for around a 9 months. At first I always kept making sure it was hidden. After awhile though you don't even think about it. I also always carry two guns now, my kel-tec and my G26. If Im going into a place that is none gun friendly I drop my Glock and no one ever knows the kel-tec is on me. Basically I won't be caught dead with out a gun. On a side note, my 3 year old son told a walmart cashier that I had a gun and I could show her:tinfoil: I had a little talk with him when we left about telling people that dady carries:) You got to love the kids..

Thanks for that, it reminds me that I need to have our quarterly Don't Mention Daddy Has a Gun meeting!

[Guest ricks]

my first carry was a full size 92fs in lowes. luckily for me it was november so coats were in fashion at the time.

[Guest ColdEspresso]

my first carry was a full size 92fs in lowes. luckily for me it was november so coats were in fashion at the time.

I also carry a 92FS but in the summer, it is the Bersa CC IWB. I don't even think about someone seeing it as my cellphone is larger on my belt. The only time I think about it is if I need to get something to eat and they serve beer or have a bar. Then I need to leave it in the car. I hope they change that silly law soon!

[Guest mjwehrman]

I don't have my HCP yet so I normally leave it in the car. But if it is on me I am constantly adjusting and checking and worried someone might see it. I OC in my apartment complex though, especially at night while walking the dog. Nobody has bothered me yet.

As for people seeing it in public, most people don't. I work at Best Buy and we see it. We make someone at least once a week. But most of us carry outside of work so we know what to look for. Its not a big deal and we never say anything unless you are pretty much OC then we have to approach you. Couple weeks ago one of our guys spotted someone in a very poor CC. Printing so much you could see it from across the store. He gave the heads up to our new LP guy, who asked me, "Am I supposed to do something about it?" I told him as long as he doesn't pull it out, no. He is within his right to carry. Apparently though, at the Best Buy in Memphis, Loss Prevention guys are allowed to carry. I found that interesting. One of the few retail chains that still respect the right to defend yourself and your property. I've worked at places before that tell you your not even allowed to have a gun in your car while at work. Never listened to them though.

[Guest sling]

mjwehrman,

What best buy do you work at if you dont mind me asking?

Is it the one in Mt Juliet or downtown?

<- used to work for the Mt Juliet one a long while back

[Fallguy]

Be careful about carry without a permit...it's illegal, even in your car, unless it is unloaded.

What do you say when you approach someone that is OCing?

Do you offer to let them conceal or do they have to take it back outside? Why not just let them OC?

Oh..and I like your sig line (I have the clip of that quote on my MySpace page)