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GrayGhost wrote:Busted by a 7 year old, now that's funny. And if she can make it out, probably anyone else would have.

Not necessarily. Children notice things that adults avoid looking at out of politeness or being preoccupied with other concerns.

- Jim

I look. I have never determined for sure that someone is carrying a weapon, including off-duty cops who I know are carrying.

At gun club meetings where guys are wearing 5.11 vests and cargo pants, I have a clue; but only insiders recognize those things.

- Jim

samobius wrote:... But the general public has no way of discerning intent and all their lives (heck, all MY life) they've been taught that guns are bad and people that carry them in public must be bad unless they're police officers or military.

A very small percentage of the public will panic at the sight of a firearm -- mostly people who have been traumatized in some way and have not dealt with it.

The rest are inclined to mind their own business.

Unless you wear gangsta' colors or have homemade tattoos on your face, I would think most people would assume that you are a cop.

In any case, 98% of the population does not go around trying to figure out whether other people are carrying weapons. Quite the opposite. They are so wrapped up in their cell phones, iPods, or general mental fog that they walk into glass doors or in front of buses.

- Jim

samobius wrote:So it seems like the only difference between us and the bad guys is a thin piece of plastic that protects us from going directly to jail if a LEO learns we're concealing.

The difference is intent. You carry a handgun to defend yourself against illegal attacks. A bad guy carries a weapon to commit crimes.

As for being made, don't worry about it. If you have a good holster and appropriate cover garments, it won't happen.

- Jim

Sure. Nearly everyone has. You'll get used to it.

The main thing to remember is you have every right to carry a concealed handgun (in places that are not prohibited). Even if your shirt blows up or something, it's not a crime.

I think the shirt blowing up thing is overemphasized. It has never happened to me.

Wearing a jacket in this weather, you should have no problem at all.

- Jim