After having my CHL for a few months

[pmcdn]

It's funny how when I first got my CHL and carried in public for the first time, I was so nervous. I carry in a pocket holster (Glock 27) and decided to first carry to go eat lunch. I am just sitting down at my table when 3 cops walk in to also have lunch. All of the sudden I felt like I was doing something very illegal.

Since that first time, it's nothing. I carry all the time and don't think anything of it. When I am going to be going into a gun free area, I just leave it in my car. No bid deal.

Just felt like throwing that out there.

[Nano]

I was just like you when I first strolled through the public packing with my CHL in my pocket. I was certain that everyone knew what I was doing and they were all looking at me. It was pretty uncomfortable. Truth be known no one was looking and no one cared. Now I carry when I want to but not just to prove that I can. I am very comfortable doing it.

[pmcdn]

Well put.

I don't, nor have I ever felt like superman (invincible) while carrying. It's funny, because I still feel somewhat vulnerable with it, but what I DO like is the feeling that if someone were to choose me as a potential victim, I have a fighting chance.

One nice benefit of pocket carrying is that I can rest my hands in my pockets and have my right hand gripping my gun and no one knows. If I were walking to my car or whatever and saw some suspicious looking person or people nearby that make the hair on my neck stand up, I'd put my hand in my pocket and grip the gun to prepare myself to "unholster" quickly if necessary.

[jeffrw]

I'm can relate to a lot of what's been said here. I've been carrying about 8 months now, and I no longer feel paranoid that everyone knows I'm carrying, or intimidated around LEOs.

However, I still am a bit OCD about making sure I remain concealed, because I don't want to do anything that might unduly alarm someone and/or jeopardize my right to continue carrying.

And as the previous poster said, I'm still not invincible, but I like knowing that if my family or I were attacked, we'd still have a very good chance. It's nice to have the extra security.

[kjolly]

+1

[rev210]

Same here, at first I felt a little uneasy but now it is not a big deal, I actually feel uncomfortable when I am not carrying.

[johncanfield]

Same here, at first I felt a little uneasy but now it is not a big deal, I actually feel uncomfortable when I am not carrying.

Yup - me too.

I'm carrying all of the time except in bed. I absolutely hate when I go to the local VA facility since I obviously can't carry there or even have a weapon in the car - weirds me out that I don't have a gun handy .

[barstoolguru]

this is a quote from massad ayoob and I think it's worth passing along:

“The power of a gun is never ignored, no matter how accustomed one becomes to the weight on his hip. A man carrying a gun for the first time is acutely, even uncomfortable aware of its presents. After a time, he ceases to notice both the weight and the responsibility not because he has forgot them but because they have both assimilated into his bearing and demeanor”

From his book “in gravest extreme” chapter 11 under discretion