First real day as a CHL holder - Page 2

762 · July 28th, 2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowmo44

Yeah, its funny. You read and think people are going to be looking at you (or at least think you will be nervous) and for the most part, they can't see a thing. The other day, I went to Walmart to buy groceries (sorry, on occasion, I go there for things other than ammo). I did stop and get ammo (this is the first Walmart I ever went in where the handgun ammo is ON THE SHELF, and you don't have to pay for it in Sporting Goods). I get to the checkout, and the lady looks at the ammo, then looks at me (I am a female). She said "is this for a handgun?" I say yes, as I pull out my ID, then she goes "wow, you carry a gun?" I just smile, as it is none of her business. She then says "is it supposed to be a secret?" I said "no," then she asked, "do you have it now" and I smiled again. Obviously, even when looking, she could not tell I had my XD-9 (full size) in a MTAC. Admittedly, even the people who now know I carry (only a select few friends) could not tell I was, but it is interesting that no one ever suspects a woman to be carrying.

i agree...i posted on this fact a few weeks ago..

the public is clueless.

Bob66 · July 28th, 2008, 06:17 PM

Hi Paco,

The fear of being made or printing goes away after awhile. I’ve been carrying about 7 years now legally. I have never been made, at least nobody has said anything if they have. The only person that has said anything is my son and he did it out of playfulness, then he had to touch it to know for sure. He knows I carry every day when I’m up and about. I carry a 1911 Commander or Officer OWB with shirt un-tucked daily, sometimes a Kimber depending on how I’m dressed. Nobody really takes notice anyway. They may not like guns or are afraid of guns but are more concerned with their own lives rather than mine. If I don’t tell them (which I don’t) they don’t know I’ve got a gun. Concealed means just that, no reason to upset the sheep, I just wish more people knew that there were a lot of people like me around them that never hurt anyone with a gun even though they carry daily. One time in the 7 years I had my hand on the grip, even then the person didn’t know I had a firearm as I was turned so he couldn’t see. The situation resolved itself without escalation. He may have suspected, that may have been the reason it ended.

Bob

mp45fan · July 28th, 2008, 10:15 PM

Congrats and strong work. Glad to see you jumping in with both feet.

Kerbouchard · July 28th, 2008, 10:20 PM

So, Paco, I take it you did fine all day?

Paco · July 28th, 2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbouchard

So, Paco, I take it you did fine all day?

I did, but put it up after a while since I had to go work on the CEO's laptop for a while and we would be in close proximity together; didn't want to push my luck.

But it was real funny when I was standing surrounded by HR, Exec Admin, Payroll and someone from Quality and no one was the wiser.

Slim_45 · July 28th, 2008, 10:58 PM

on your 1st real day of carry, iam glad everything went well for you. It also sounds like you are very lucky with the job you have.....Good Luck

Kerbouchard · July 29th, 2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paco

I did, but put it up after a while since I had to go work on the CEO's laptop for a while and we would be in close proximity together; didn't want to push my luck.

But it was real funny when I was standing surrounded by HR, Exec Admin, Payroll and someone from Quality and no one was the wiser.

You'll be fine. Don't adjust yourself, and try not to think about it. Your actions/demeanor are a much larger giveaway than any type of printing.

Congrats again on getting your permit. The wait in TX is getting ridiculous, but kudos to you for getting on the forum and contributing and learning while you were waiting.

Paco · July 29th, 2008, 01:38 AM

The only time I touch anything is when I first step out of the car or get up from my desk, I take both hands and "straighten" out the shirt tail, but I have done that long before I started carrying.

What I have found is I can check myself out when I am walking up to a glass door or while in the rest room or even up to an office with a large glass window, the light behind me shows how my shirt is laying with shadows on the folds and creases so it lets me know if I am printing or doing just fine.

Its the little tricks you pick up on that are the ones that make you confident in your concealment, since you can verify at intervals through the day.

Swamp Dog · July 29th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Not sure how old your kids are but you might want to give them a heads up. Nothing worse than being in public & they make you & scream out, "Daddy, do you have a gun".

My kids know & it not an issue with them. They also know not to discuss it with anyone. I explained to them how some people are not comfortable with the idea.

Paco · July 29th, 2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp Dog

Not sure how old your kids are but you might want to give them a heads up. Nothing worse than being in public & they make you & scream out, "Daddy, do you have a gun".

I am working with them on just this. My 11 year old has not shown the responsibility until recently that he can handle that kind of info.

My kids are 11, 8, 5, and 3. So I am teachign them at different stages. I started by letting them tinker with my Red Ryder BB gun and then worked up to an old youth sized Rossi .410 I have.

I am not sure how to cover the fact that I carry a pistol daily with them. I know they need to know, but you know how kids are and I don't want the neighborhood "My Dad can beat up your Dad" to turn in to "We'll my Dad can shoot your Dad". I don't think my kids would do that, but I want to be sure they won't.

I do think it is quite funny for them to jump all over me and basically smack it and not have a clue. I guess they just assume it is one of the knives I carry or something like that.

July 28th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#13
mp45fan Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 154	Congrats and strong work. Glad to see you jumping in with both feet. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down". M&P 45FS M&P 45 compact M&P 9mm compact M&P AR-15T

July 28th, 2008, 10:20 PM	#14
Kerbouchard VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,531	So, Paco, I take it you did fine all day? __________________ Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever. http://miscmusings.townhall.com/ Who is John Galt?

July 28th, 2008, 10:58 PM	#16
Slim_45 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 478	on your 1st real day of carry, iam glad everything went well for you. It also sounds like you are very lucky with the job you have.....Good Luck __________________ The first 3 simple rules of gun safety 1. Keep your finger off the trigger. 2. Keep your d* finger off the trigger. 3. Keep your d* finger off the d*** trigger.

July 29th, 2008, 01:38 AM	#18
Paco Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,691	The only time I touch anything is when I first step out of the car or get up from my desk, I take both hands and "straighten" out the shirt tail, but I have done that long before I started carrying. What I have found is I can check myself out when I am walking up to a glass door or while in the rest room or even up to an office with a large glass window, the light behind me shows how my shirt is laying with shadows on the folds and creases so it lets me know if I am printing or doing just fine. Its the little tricks you pick up on that are the ones that make you confident in your concealment, since you can verify at intervals through the day. __________________ "Don't hit at all if you can help it; don't hit a man if you can possibly avoid it; but if you do hit him, put him to sleep." - Theodore Roosevelt If you are not willing to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them! -Paco

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July 28th, 2008, 06:17 PM	#12
Bob66 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 41	Hi Paco, The fear of being made or printing goes away after awhile. I’ve been carrying about 7 years now legally. I have never been made, at least nobody has said anything if they have. The only person that has said anything is my son and he did it out of playfulness, then he had to touch it to know for sure. He knows I carry every day when I’m up and about. I carry a 1911 Commander or Officer OWB with shirt un-tucked daily, sometimes a Kimber depending on how I’m dressed. Nobody really takes notice anyway. They may not like guns or are afraid of guns but are more concerned with their own lives rather than mine. If I don’t tell them (which I don’t) they don’t know I’ve got a gun. Concealed means just that, no reason to upset the sheep, I just wish more people knew that there were a lot of people like me around them that never hurt anyone with a gun even though they carry daily. One time in the 7 years I had my hand on the grip, even then the person didn’t know I had a firearm as I was turned so he couldn’t see. The situation resolved itself without escalation. He may have suspected, that may have been the reason it ended. Bob

July 29th, 2008, 10:45 AM	#19
Swamp Dog Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SC Posts: 36	Not sure how old your kids are but you might want to give them a heads up. Nothing worse than being in public & they make you & scream out, "Daddy, do you have a gun". My kids know & it not an issue with them. They also know not to discuss it with anyone. I explained to them how some people are not comfortable with the idea.