First 2 days of carry
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:51 pm
Well, I finally got my plastic on Saturday and decided it was time to do a wally-walk. But then I thought to myself, why not go bigger? I decided to find a place where I could put myself to the test. After adjusting my Shield in my CTAC to where it was VERY concealed, I proceeded to a Cinemark to see Lawless (don't allow guns, but no 30.06 posted anywhere). I got into my truck and loaded up for the first time. I felt a little nervous getting out of the truck, but not too much so. I approached the ticket window and got my ticket, when I noticed there were several State Troopers about. Since I am seriously considering applying for the DPS Trooper Academy, I asked one of them if he had time to talk for a minute. I asked him a little bit about the application process, ride-alongs, etc, and he was very courteous to me. Not a word about CHL from either end. He gave me his card and wished me the best 
I went into the theater and sat down for the movie. I realized I had to be careful when sitting because my shirt rode up a little, but I nonchalantly pulled it back down. I watched my movie, left, and as far as I am aware, I did not draw attention to myself. Went to Mickey D's afterward and same story. Remembering about sitting down, I sat on the right side of a booth to prevent my firearm from being exposed. Today, a friend asked if I wanted to go to a couple stores and run some errands, and I figured this would give me an opportunity to be close to someone for a semi-extended period of time and make sure I was properly concealed. I offered to drive and off we went. Going back to the sitting down problem, I had to make sure that he was already getting out of my truck at each stop so that I could pull my shirt down when I got out. We went to several stores including a mall (again, firearms prohibited, but no 30.06 posted ANYWHERE. I actually did some recon on this place to make sure I was good to go). My friend was none the wiser. I had stuck my extra mag inside my belt on the side opposite my gun, and it was getting to where it was uncomfortable, so when we were at my truck loading groceries, he turned to talk to me. As I was saying something to him, I did a little sleight of hand and pulled the mag out and stuck it in my pocket. Again, he didn't notice a thing. If there's anything I learned from the past 2 days, as long as you are concealed and don't give anyone a reason to believe that you are armed, or are a threat, you don't have to be paranoid about someone finding out that you're carrying. You still have to be cautious and take the proper steps to make sure that you are completely concealed, but no-one will be staring at you, or waiting for you to do something crazy. It gave me a lot of confidence. Be safe, responsible, and shoot straight everyone!
I went into the theater and sat down for the movie. I realized I had to be careful when sitting because my shirt rode up a little, but I nonchalantly pulled it back down. I watched my movie, left, and as far as I am aware, I did not draw attention to myself. Went to Mickey D's afterward and same story. Remembering about sitting down, I sat on the right side of a booth to prevent my firearm from being exposed. Today, a friend asked if I wanted to go to a couple stores and run some errands, and I figured this would give me an opportunity to be close to someone for a semi-extended period of time and make sure I was properly concealed. I offered to drive and off we went. Going back to the sitting down problem, I had to make sure that he was already getting out of my truck at each stop so that I could pull my shirt down when I got out. We went to several stores including a mall (again, firearms prohibited, but no 30.06 posted ANYWHERE. I actually did some recon on this place to make sure I was good to go). My friend was none the wiser. I had stuck my extra mag inside my belt on the side opposite my gun, and it was getting to where it was uncomfortable, so when we were at my truck loading groceries, he turned to talk to me. As I was saying something to him, I did a little sleight of hand and pulled the mag out and stuck it in my pocket. Again, he didn't notice a thing. If there's anything I learned from the past 2 days, as long as you are concealed and don't give anyone a reason to believe that you are armed, or are a threat, you don't have to be paranoid about someone finding out that you're carrying. You still have to be cautious and take the proper steps to make sure that you are completely concealed, but no-one will be staring at you, or waiting for you to do something crazy. It gave me a lot of confidence. Be safe, responsible, and shoot straight everyone!
. I guess I just don't feel all that nervous about it like everyone said I would. I know that I'm obeying the law, and I'm very comfortable with and respectful of my firearm. I have no reason to worry.
