First Time Carrying In Public

[Excaliber]

I saw one like that in my Utah CHL class. Instead of a guy in a guerrilla costume, it was a guy dressed up like the grim reaper. LOL...I sort of got it, but from a different angle. I thought the purpose of the video was to point out how distracted you can get while passing a basket ball back and forth. I kept wondering why none of those folks noticed the grim reaper walking amongst them. I know it distracted me from counting the number of times they passed that basketball.

You guys just couldn't wait to give it away before folks who handn't seen it could experience it for themselves. Sigh.....

Actually the video was created to show that you can easily miss something blatantly obvious while you're concentrating on or thinking about something else.

From a perceptual standpoint, it's not possible to focus on everything going on around you. That takes too much "processing power." You end up actually seeing a "model" of the expected parts of what you see, and focus on much smaller parts that are important to you. This causes you to miss things that are obvious to a fresh observer, and is part of the reason why witnesses to crimes frequently can't give an accurate description of persons or vehicles even though they had a clear line of sight on them. It's also why situational awareness is so challenging to maintain.

The point for this thread: Most people wouldn't notice for quite a while even if you open carried as long as you dressed in a manner that didn't create a lot of contrast between your gun / holster and your clothes. In other words, if you wore a blued gun with a black holster with dark jeans and a dark green flannel shirt, only a small minority of people would pick up on it right away. Plainclothes and off duty law enforcement officers are quite familiar with this phenomenon.

If you carry concealed, not one person in 500 non LEO / CHL holders will notice a bit of a bulge under your clothes, or a half inch of exposed holster when you reach for something. On the other hand, if you wore the same gun / holster exposed with white jeans and a white shirt, even the slow starters would tend to notice pretty quickly.

[s197winstang]

On a road trip and decided to carry in the car as is my right. Nervous as heck because I don't have my chl yet. I keep thinking what if I get pulled over, what do I say... I guess it just takes getting used to.

[marksiwel]

On a road trip and decided to carry in the car as is my right. Nervous as heck because I don't have my chl yet. I keep thinking what if I get pulled over, what do I say... I guess it just takes getting used to.

what do you say? Nothing. Keep it in the glove box or not in the open you are as good as gold.
If you are really paranoid throw it in the trunk

[s197winstang]

I have it in the center C second level so when i open it the top tray is exposed. I thought I had to declare to LEO.. no?

[marksiwel]

I have it in the center C second level so when i open it the top tray is exposed. I thought I had to declare to LEO.. no?

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80 ... 01815F.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would tell the officer you have a "Firearm" in your console, while you say that make sure, your overhead light is on, your hands are on the wheel, and the engine is off.
Why say Firearm? Because "Gun" sets off the wrong reaction in peoples heads. Also if theres a Rookie coming up from your blind side, and he hears gun, nothing good can happen.

I'm not sure if you legally have to, I know its been discussed. I know if you are a CHL you dont have to tell them anymore (Or you do, but theres no fine for not) But if you dont tell the COP, and he finds out, he is gonna be MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.

[s197winstang]

I agree. Honesty is the best policy. No one likes surprises of that nature..

[RPB]

Here's what's funny.

When you do your first Wally Walk, and you look around a lot and you just KNOW everyone is looking at you ...... It's actually TRUE we all are looking at you, because we are carrying too and looking around to see who is looking at us, and you were looking at us looking at you looking at us looking at you ....

Just kidding ....

Relax, you have a license.


I once, about 30 years ago, had a store employee approach me and sort of imply I might be shoplifting due to my behaviour of "looking around" so much. I admitted to looking around, I was trying to find a salesperson to help me, he thought I was looking to avoid them.

Relax.

[Ruger74]

The mall was Stonebriar Mall in Frisco and I did not see any 30.06 signs. I had a G17 mag in my pocket just in case I needed another 16 rounds.

I was at the same mall this past weekend and I look for the 30.06 signs, none...I only saw no smoking inside sign and no smoking within 20 feet of mall entrance. I believe you are safe, so as I.

[Ruger74]

Here's what's funny.

When you do your first Wally Walk, and you look around a lot and you just KNOW everyone is looking at you ...... It's actually TRUE we all are looking at you, because we are carrying too and looking around to see who is looking at us, and you were looking at us looking at you looking at us looking at you ....

Just kidding ....

Relax, you have a license.


I once, about 30 years ago, had a store employee approach me and sort of imply I might be shoplifting due to my behaviour of "looking around" so much. I admitted to looking around, I was trying to find a salesperson to help me, he thought I was looking to avoid them.

Relax.

This is hilarious...I am in the same boat. You looking at me, I'm looking at you. Well put, couldn't have said it any better myself.

[angretired]

Today was my first time carrying. I put on a t-shirt with my shoulder harness & Berretta 9mm Storm and an regular button up over it. I practiced enough that I believe I can discreetly unbutton my shirt and pull fairly quickly if needed. It was cold so I even had a jacket as well. Walked around First Monday most of the morning and then later went to Home Depot (why doesn't that count as a Wally Walk as I hate that place?). I felt perfectly comfortable carrying except the harness I have was really uncomfortable, I tried a http://www.concealmentwear.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I liked how close it hugged my side yet the elastic strap kept rubbing my chest and the muzzle rubbed my spare tire a little too much. Had the harness not bothered me and the added weight on my left shoulder, I nearly forgot I was carrying. I have to admit, I felt a little paranoid when I saw cops today.

[RPB]

Today was my first time carrying. I put on a t-shirt with my shoulder harness & Berretta 9mm Storm and an regular button up over it. I practiced enough that I believe I can discreetly unbutton my shirt and pull fairly quickly if needed. It was cold so I even had a jacket as well. Walked around First Monday most of the morning and then later went to Home Depot (why doesn't that count as a Wally Walk as I hate that place?). I felt perfectly comfortable carrying except the harness I have was really uncomfortable, I tried a http://www.concealmentwear.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I liked how close it hugged my side yet the elastic strap kept rubbing my chest and the muzzle rubbed my spare tire a little too much. Had the harness not bothered me and the added weight on my left shoulder, I nearly forgot I was carrying. I have to admit, I felt a little paranoid when I saw cops today.

CONGRATS !!!
You have now entered the elite circle of people who have or will end up with boxes/drawers/suitcases of uncomfortable holstering systems before they find the one that makes them say "ohhh this one actually feels good" It's funny, when I was at a gun store an officer was eyeing me up and down repeatedly to try to see if I was carrying and couldn't tell, though I could tell he was looking, so I spoke to him a while. Next time when talking to an officer at a convenience store with the ubder 51% sign posted, I wasn't even nervous.

[GrayGhost]

Well not really my first but my second time carrying. My first time I didn't make it out of my driveway before my 7 year old daughter asked me why I had a gun in my pants.

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

[seamusTX]

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

[marksiwel]

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

That or she saw you walking around the house practicing and busted you

[s197winstang]

Well I took the walk.. First with the wife and the pup around the block and then to Wally World.. All the practice around the house paid off. All went well.