CCW and driving habits.

[helitech]

I have had my CCW for about 1 year now and I have noticed that my driving habits have changed for the better. I guess I am more aware of my speed and my surroudings. My guess is that I prefer not to interact with LE while I carry. I am weary of some freaked out LEO when I notify him/her of my situation.
Anyone else?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Rock and Glock]

I guess I'm just getting old and ornery enough I'm just careful most of the time. I try to avoid attention, from LEO and others, anyway.

[ilikeglocks]

I've gotten to be the same way.. I've also noticed that I'm a lot less likely to get pissed off when someone does something stupid.

[jongle]

I think that what y'all are describing is called "maturity".

[nn]

I think that what y'all are describing is called "maturity".

That is it.

[Ram Rod]

All the above +1

[Doc Holliday]

Yep, no more giving the one fingered salute in traffic. You must maintain peace and calm at all times Grasshopper!

[Pitmaster]

I agree with the maturity bit. I'm 52 and and have absolutely no concerns about being stopped while carrying. If I am stopped and its required I will inform the officer that I have a "firearm" and a "license to carry". I specifically use the term firearm to let him know that I don't have a "GUN" which may cause his partner to get a little excited.

If I am not required to inform an officer I don't. Its as simple as that. I think as we age many of us lose a little ego and are easier to get along with society by choosing our battles much more wisely. At least that's in my case and it took more that a decade to get there.

[bluelineman]

I have had my CCW for about 1 year now and I have noticed that my driving habits have changed for the better. I guess I am more aware of my speed and my surroudings.

Yep, no hand signals to idiot drivers anymore. Not worth it.

My guess is that I prefer not to interact with LE while I carry. I am weary of some freaked out LEO when I notify him/her of my situation. Anyone else?

I'm not worried about it. I've been pulled over several times. Hands on the wheel, dome light on, radio off, DL & CHL in hand, inform officer = no problems.

As a side note, there was a good segment on Personal Defense TV the other day about getting pulled over. Massad Ayoob had a scenario where he pulled over a motorist (Tom Gresham, host of show). Mas suggested to tell the officer you have a concealed handgun license & are carrying. He made a point to NOT say "I have a gun", because at that point the officer would say "me too!" as he was pointing it at you.

Sorry about the partial hijack.

[Paladin132]

I learned not to flip people off while driving (not that I was prone to it before) while in the magikal kingdom where it is punishable by removal of the offending appendage by the justice system But I also see that I drive a little more carefully now, for whatever reason, although I am still pretty agressive by nature - all that training is just how I drive nowdays. Not bad, just proactively.

[AZ Husker]

I just think we all assume a higher level of awaredness when we get that license.

[FiringDragon]

Helitech,

I noticed that you are from Arizona. There is no requirement in Arizona to notify LEO that you carry (unless asked, of course).

FD

[Ghettokracker71]

Agreed,..I've always been extremely courteous,..(ya know,wave when someone lets you in,let others in and wave/smile at them,stop for grandma crossing the parking lot into walmart, always ALWAYS use blinker) but I don't speed as much and etc,...Definitely don't brake check tailgaters like I used to,lol. I'm still rather aggressive when it comes to corners :)

[rljohns]

I'll also bet that DUIs have gone down in states that have CCW. I know I don't drink away from home because I don't want to hear "Sir could you step out of the car". I'm pretty sure no isn't going to be their favorite answer from me.

[SIXTO]

It would be a lot easier for me to drive nicely if people would get out of my way.


I like the corners and curves too, a 6 spd, AWD and a turbo makes them a whole lot more fun.

The gun doesnt mean squat to me when it comes to driving... I was never out there to get into road rage with some numbskull anyway. Egos have no place on the road or range.
I'm driving with a purpose... to get somewhere reasonably quick and alive.
Same theory applies to my driving habits and pistol craft... have a superior machine, superior skills to match the machine and plenty of power. Those things get me home safe every night.