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I can think of many many different scenarios in your circumstance that do not involve malevolent intent.

I carry a backpack just about everywhere I go. It always contains my laptop, various electronics, and some camera equipment. I have a tendency to leave things behind when I leave a place, so i try to keep it close at all times. I've been known to lose valuable items (such as expensive cell phones) in theaters by accident, never to see them again.

When I go to a movie, I take my bag with me. I'm not about to leave valuable electronics in the parking lot where they can easily be stolen. I am sure I have exhibited the same overprotection of my bag when I've just cashed a check and stashed several hundred dollars inside it. I do not let it out of my immediate control.

I agree with the sentiment of others, that if you were truly concerned for your safety, you should have left. In answer to your question, I don't know if you were being too paranoid. I wasn't there.

From my pedestrian understanding of your situation, I would say yes. I also drive an old vehicle, and many would consider it beat-up. I have had my car broken into and valuables stolen. Now, any valuables I have stay with me in my backpack, not the car. While it is prudent to avoid and report overtly suspicious activity to authorities, I think it is both unreasonable and contrary to the concept of free and open to society to make assumptions for the worst on what we imagine might be. I am certainly not willing to give up my up my right to privacy to obtain the "security" of protection from what might be. Such actions lead down a long and arduous path toward totalitarianism. Not to sound cliche, but Nazi Germany was a prime example of this in action. To quote Benjamin Franklin:

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.

The fact that we as a society are becoming more and more willing to allow governmental entities to infringe upon our rights without probable cause or even a reasonable suspicion concerns me deeply. I do not want to live in a society where I can be searched and my property seized because of what someone thinks might be without any evidence to support that suspicion.

LedJedi wrote:heh, I honestly would never let someone know I was carrying. I like to keep a low profile unless I dont have another choice.

However, that being said. I do like to know what will happen if xyz happens. It's all about the WHAT IF game man. :)

The overwhelming majority of people I interact with have no clue. However, taking a new shooter to the range is a little different. I only have 2 pistols, so my carry weapon is going to be among the guns that I have them shoot. Since I'm not going to disarm before we make the 45 minute drive out to the range, it's gotta be there at the range. I load back up with my defense magazines before we go. Since range rules are only loading and unloading on the firing line, that's where I do it.

So far, this affect has been positive. Usually, we've shot rifles before we ever get to my carry pistol leaving its holster. This has done most of the work in showing people how fun and positive an experience shooting can be. It has also broken down the "guns are scary and evil" walls that have been built up over the years of watching TV, movies, and Congressional hearings. By the time comes to shoot handguns, they're a little surprised but not freaked out when I go to the firing line, pull out my pistol, point it downrange and unload my carry ammo. This also fosters positive discussion about CHL and carrying.

This is a special situation, yes. If I'm out in public, no one knows or even knows to ask.

LedJedi wrote:hmmm, if it's discernable... now see I would personally interpret that as obvious printing being illegal.

It is only failure to conceal if you did it intentionally. Intent is what is specified in the law, which others have posted above.