My Very First Wally Walk

[ClarkLZeuss]

Woohoo! I've completed what seems to be the New CHL initiation ritual known as "The Wally Walk," but with a few bonuses:

- my two year old daughter came along
- to a WM I don't always feel comfortable going to at night
- at night =)
- a twist ending

So the music begins when my 2 y/o and I get to the entrance. I've already been scanning all the signs on the sliding glass doors from 100 ft away, and now I want to make sure what they all say. Uh-oh, I see two identical looking signs, top and bottom, English and Spanish. That's usually bad news. Oh wait, it's just the generic "The unlicensed possession of firearms...blah blah blah" sign. I take another look to be sure, though. And double check. Nope, can't see "30.06" anywhere. And triple check. Nothing in the Spanish either. OK, the coast is clear! Still though, feels like I'm doing something wrong.

Well, the security guard inside must have noticed me reading it over and over, because now she's watching me carefully, eyeballing me up and down, checking my every move. I give her an off-hand smile, imagining the confrontation: "Actually officer, I have a CHL!" But I pass by without a problem. I spend the next half hour checking and tugging down my shirt more times than I care to count. Every time someone walks by. Every time my knee bends at the slightest angle. (And darn those bottom-shelf items!) Every time someone walks behind me, I check that my wallet's still there, too. I'm already always on the lookout for pickpockets, but now the stakes are higher: I can't let the thieves take my license to pass beyond that "no unlicensed possession" sign!

I walk by the ammo section, with the usual young lady behind the counter that I've talked to a few times before. But nope, still no 9mm ammo. I see the question forming in her eyes. But no, don't think about asking, cuz I'm not gonna talk about my gun, and certainly not gonna show it! (Favorite quote of hers overheard from last week: "We don't got no ammo cuz the guy you elected might outlaw it!" To which the trio of saggy-pants guys replied, "Obama? Our president?" but not in a hostile way...more like incredulous, not-sure-what-to-believe-now way.)

On we go. I keep pulling down my shirt as if I've sat in a small puddle of water, and am worried if people see it, they'll think I peed my pants. Can't let anyone see anything! What's this? Some cheap, decent looking shirts like what I was looking for. Hmm, will have to go with a 3XL. That'll do the job nicely. Some talkative teenage girls get behind me....I'm sure they'll notice! Teenage girls (and I'm saying this from the experience of going through the teenage years with a younger sister) notice everything about people's clothes. I keep waiting for a "Ew, what's that thing bulging out of that guy's shirt? Does he have like some gross weird butt thing going on?" But nothing. Silence. Or rather, gossip about other people.

Finally, I get in line. Someone cuts from the other side (I think), but that's ok. De-escalation. "Go ahead, ma'am." Hmm, who's this guy trying to look tough behind me. He's not holding anything, so he's not buying anything. Could he be trying to steal...oh wait, he's with his mom! The line moves forward. I have to bend over slightly to unload the cart, but back up against the candy rack for cover should I flash. What are those guys over at the McD's counter doing? They keep pushing each other. Hmm, what are my options if this turns into a gang battle or something? Oh wait...no, they're just friends horsin' around. Love that pants-beneath-the-butt look, guys. Better be using an ankle holster if you're carrying!

And now, the best part: the walk back to the car, with the usual uncomfortable situation of being here at night. Except there's not the usual sensation of fear. In fact, this is the most peaceful I've felt walking here at night. Wow, what a difference CHL makes! I'm still thinking tactically, though. Awareness is everything, and so is wisdom. (Load up groceries, THEN daughter). I don't do as well this time bending/stooping to get her in the car seat, but all goes well otherwise. We drive home, the story ends...OR DOES IT? A buddy calls me up: go to the movies? Sure! Because it's not an AMC!!!

I pull into the parking garage, and park close to elevator as usual, but not due to concern over walking a long distance, but rather my car being in a safer location. I can't have my new firearm lockbox stolen! Walking up to the building, I'm checking again for 30.06. Elevator? Nope. Entrance from lobby into theater? Nope. Entrance from street into lobby? Again, nope. Hmm, what's this on the box office window? Gunbusters sign, so no need to...wait. "It is prohibited to bring weapons into the theater, including concealed handguns." OK, think back to class. Did I ever see a sign like this? Scan it again for 30.06. Nowhere. And it's like 1/4" text, with no Spanish to be found. Still, they just had to put that phrase "concealed handguns" in there, just enough to make me doubt. "What movie do I want to see? 'Taken.' 10:15." Well, now I'm committed. Here goes nothing!

Again, I notice the security guard scanning me. Don't make eye contact! Don't look nervous! Just keep walking, keep talking to my buddy in a normal way, act like nothing's wrong, because nothing IS wrong. Still, I can't shake that feeling like I'm momentarily getting away with something and will soon get caught. Wow, there are so many people here tonight, must be near a thousand or so just milling around. Feels like a million eyes are drilling into my back. On one hand, this is starting to feel like a really, really bad idea. On the other hand, it makes this an even better trial to pass! But still, I'm not getting popcorn, just going straight to my seat and sitting down. Don't wanna push it!

We sit down, chat during the pre-trailer commercials, and...why does that guy behind me and to my right keep looking in my direction? Am I flashing? Ok, don't panic, my shirt's still covering everything. The movie starts. Ah, the cover of darkness. Still, I keep expecting to shift in my chair and then BLAM! a malfunction or something. But everything goes well.

An hour and half goes by with my attention split between the film and adjusting my 9mm. Finally, the credits roll, the tension subsides, and I can breathe again. Yup, as expected, this movie just reinforced all the reasons I got my CHL to begin with! As a father myself, and more than that the father of The Most Beautiful Girl Alive and husband of The Sweetest Wife Ever, I'm now very satisfied with my decision to take on the responsiblity for their safety. Initiation, complete.

[Beiruty]

Cool story to reed.
However, if you are really concerned about concealment issues, I do recommend looking into:
1) Smart Carry
2) Tommy's fanny pack
3) Or compressed t-shirt holster.

Overall, sooner than you expect, you will be carrying and you just forget about it. Of course, all the time you know your best friend is available to help in the time of need

When I am carrying, and got in Orange condition, like a some skinny tall black man keeping pacing at my nearest groceries store and give a bad look when I entered, I responded with a dirty look too. I felt that he is trying to escalate a silly issue and I am trying to keep an eye on him. Finally, I decided to let go and cool down and go on business of shopping for the goods I need.

In short, stay cool, deescalate issues as much as you can. BE Cautious and use your inner senses.

[SkinnyB78]

Very entertaining write up ClarkLZeuss! Congrats on a successful wally-walk.

[roberts]

What about the NACHOS?

[ClarkLZeuss]

Glad you guys enjoyed reading. Thanks for the tips. D'oh! Forgot those nachos!! Will have to go for a Round 2.

[hheremtp]

Clark,

Great read, I just got my plastic at the end of Oct., and one of the first places I went to was WW. I did almost the exact same thing that you did on my first trip, checking constantly that I was covered, bending over really carefuly, etc.... I do have to say that about the 4th or 5th time out and carrying I was over it, I realized that no one goes around trying to see if they can spot a gun on someone. Everyone around you is just in there own little world and not paying attention to anyone else. Believe me, by the end of the month you will be going out and not even worring about it. And if for some reason you do happen to come uncovered at some point, just cover back up and go on about your business like nothing ever happend, chances will be that nobody even noitced in the first place. If you make a big deal about it that is what will draw attention to yourself. Stop and think about it for a sec, in the past before you thought about getting your CCW, how manny times while you were out did you try and spot people with a gun on them.

[propellerhead]

Continue to carry at home. It will help it feel more normal. It will help you get rid of that nervous tugging on your shirt.

[Charles L. Cotton]

That's a great story and you covered many of the feelings first-timers experience. It won't be long before you forget it's there and come to believe you'd have to wear it around your neck on a lanyard for anyone to notice.

Chas.

[FlynJay]

That's a great story and you covered many of the feelings first-timers experience. It won't be long before you forget it's there and come to believe you'd have to wear it around your neck on a lanyard for anyone to notice.

Chas.

The one thing I've noticed since getting my chl in Jan. is that most people are really oblivious to what is happening around them.

[Roostor]

That is a very good write up and review on what it's like to carry. I could identify with alot of the feelings you were having. Just as has been said before, you will get to the point that you seldom even think about it; other than watching out for those signs. (30.06 & 51%)

Post up some more when you can, you are a very talented writer.

[Medino]

Great post it reminds me of my first time carrying. I still am a little nervous every once and a while but quickly get over it and relax knowing that I can take charge of any situation instead of being the helpless bystander. It gets easier over time that's for sure.

[ClarkLZeuss]

Thanks for all the kudos, guys! I had a sneaking suspicion that I was not the only one to have all those thoughts and concerns floating through my mind. Glad it gave ya'll some laughs and nostalgia. And thanks for the tips. I think you guys are right, hardly anyone notices what's going on around them, and the last thing people expect to see is a gun on another person, especially in the Age of the Cellphone. And another thing we got going for us is that in American culture, it's rude to stare at other people.

[Liberty]

That's a great story and you covered many of the feelings first-timers experience. It won't be long before you forget it's there and come to believe you'd have to wear it around your neck on a lanyard for anyone to notice.

Chas.

Thanks!! I always wondered what that lanyard thing was for.

[Lumberjack98]

Great write up and thank you for sharing.

[LittleGun]

Your Wally Walk was good. If there were a panel of Wally Walk judges, I think you would have passed. Your man card gets the official CHL Wally Walk stamp. But you have to go back and round up the nachos.