I have officially joined the ranks...

[merischino]

...of the card-carrying, permitted gun owner!

My CCW permit came in the mail the day before yesterday. For Florida, the licensing time from payment, application, photo day to receipt in the mail was 15 days. Not too shabby!

I've ordered my first holster, a custom job, and have not yet heard when I can expect it. We shall see. In the meanwhile, I went in to WW today to pick up some rounds for the range and just because I could, carried my weapon in with me, concealed within its range bag.

Not going to make a habit of that -- carrying it around in a bag. But, it was the inaugural carry occasion so thought I would mention it.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Back 40]

Welcome to the club!

[Bark'n]

Welcome Aboard merischino.

[ccw9mm]

Nice to have you aboard.

[XD 45]

welcome to the club

[maxwell]

Congrats. and welcome

[RoadRunner71]

Hey, congratulations!

Have you thought about picking up a cheap holster to use while you wait for the custom job? Almost anything would be better than the range bag.

Good luck!

[Keltyke]

Gotta do the Wally World Walk:

Rules for the "Wally Walk"

So you got your CHL.

We assumed that you have already chose a proper holster, mag pouch (or suitable combination of substitutes) and cover garment and played dress-up in front of a mirror a couple of hundred times. But now, it is time to go live in the real world. It is time for you to go to WalMart!

1) You must park your vehicle at least 50 yards from the entrance of a regular WallyWorld (75 yards for a SuperCenter.) As you head for the entrance, you must perform a scan of the area including checking under parked vehicles for BG’s (Bad Guys.) Remember, grandma in an electric wheelchair is not a drive-by threat.
1A). Upon exiting car, surrepititiously adjust sidearm. Now don't touch it again unless your pants are about to fall off. Then tighten your belt.
2) You MUST drive the shopping cart. No substitutes are allowed. Negotiating aisles full of screaming kids dropping cans of Chef Boyardee while Mom is on the cell phone and trying the latest Rosie O’Donnell Makeup & Fragrances is a good test of patience and self-control.

3) No quickies! Your stay at WallyWorld must last no less than 45 minutes. You can hang out in automotive and even double check the Rapala lures to see what’s new to kill an allotted rest time of 10 minutes. The rest of the time you must be on the move. An exception is made if you are with your significant other and she goes for the White Sale madness. You must park, wait and be ready to back your mate if things get hairy with the pillow throws or allergenic bedspreads.

4) You are gonna buy stuff so pick items from the top and bottom shelves to test your cover garment. Your mate can assist you and point out any deficiencies. If you are alone and store security or the cops have not arrived by the time you check out, you passed this test.

5) Check out: make sure you choose the busiest register. People will stand in close proximity and you must bear it with patience and avoiding contact. Beware of the people suddenly remembering a forgotten item and sending their mates to fetch it. They usually will brush against you on the way to get it.

6) Meal Time! If your WallyWorld serves Nachos, go ahead and get yourself a big serving of the suckers and wash it down with a Sam’s cola. If McD’s is the choice at the premises, get fries, onion rings, apple pie and a large Coke. ALL MEALS MUST BE CONSUMED ON SITE! No To-Go’s or you will be disqualified.

7) When you leave, repeat the scanning of the parking lot. Remember that now you are also dealing with a shopping cart that rattles like and old train and wants to go right all the time. Do not lose track of your surroundings because of this. If you have a car, open the trunk and introduce all your bags while facing outwards. Pick up Trucks: lower the tailgate and do the same. Keep scanning, you never know where the BG’s might be.

8) REMEMBER: Yellow lights = WallyWorld Security. Red Lights = Cops.

9) - Make test fall on floor in busiest area - near register or anywhere crowded. See if concealment can still be maintained. If you lose that then go back to GO and do NOT collect $200

10) Restroom break (even if you don't have to go), go through the motions, figure out what your going to do with your gun, while sitting on the commode

[cammo]

Congrats! It's a process, that's for sure.

Next time you are at WW, check out the Danskin windbreaker type nylon vests. They are long and slimming and kind of cool looking, lots of zippers and bright accent trim. AND $13!!! Good coverage. I can do OK in cold weather clothes, but summer will be a problem.

Do you have a nice big box ready for holsters?

(p.s. review #10 up above - this is the stuff they don't cover in class)

[hogdaddy]

Congrats, On the WW test I would save #10 for when it's time for #2
---------
H/D

[evo]

Congrats.
I second the suggestion to get a cheap holster and carry while you're waiting. Get that drawer started

[Ram Rod]

[Harryball]

Congrats....be armed and be safe.

[Grant48]

I've ordered my first holster, a custom job... In the meanwhile... carried my weapon in with me, concealed within its range bag.

Dude, in the meantime, get something like an Uncle Mike's IWB. Academy, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, etc has them for $10-$15.

http://www.uncle-mikes.com/products/..._holsters.html

Get that drawer started

Haha, agreed. I have several shoeboxes full of various holsters. It's always nice to have options.

[QKShooter]

Welcome into the fold.