Quick Draw
Regular Member
If this is the wrong place for this I apologize. I didn't see an area dedicated to newbies such as myself.
My name is Kyle. The "Quick Draw" nickname really has nothing to do with guns. It was a nickname that I picked up in grade school, and I have used it on a variety of forums. And I'm somewhat quick, but nothing compared to some of you, I'm sure.
I'm 21 years old and studying Mechanical Engineering. I haven't been around firearms for very long... In fact, only about 6 months. But like most hobbies I pick up, I fell into it very hard. This is definitely more of a lifestyle than a hobby for me now. I am absorbing everything I can, and working hard to train myself. I now have 2 rifles and 2 handguns and make a point to shoot once or twice per week. I drive my girl friend crazy, constantly practicing drawing my pistol, flipping the safety off and acquiring a target. And I also spend most of my time reading and watching videos to gain knowledge. This is a site that I found myself reading a lot, so I decided to join.
I am not paranoid nor am I afraid. I carry a gun because I understand that **** happens, and only the prepared will have a chance of surviving. I learned this lesson very well when I lost my house and nearly all of my possessions in a forest fire last summer. Bad things can happen to anybody. Some of my insurance money for the belongings I lost has gone to firearms and training. It was always something I wanted to do, but I never had the time or money. So no, I'm not an abnormally rich college student. Just one that traded all of my accumulated belongings for a truck, some firearms and a lot of ammunition. I also carry a gun because at 140 lbs, I have very little chance of fending off an attacker with my hands.
My CCW permit is on its way. I should see it in the mail in a couple of months. In the meantime, I had been getting used to wearing the pistol around the house in my IWB holster. Then it occurred to me, I could technically go out of the house legally now, as long as I tuck my shirt in so that the grip of my gun is clearly visible on my hip. According to my CCW instructor, that is legal open carry even though the barrel of the gun is stuffed inside my pants.
I first started carrying outside of my house while I did some repairs on my truck. Then I needed some parts at the auto parts store so I just decided to carry in there too. I made a big point of making my body language extremely non threatening, and I was very polite and courteous to the staff. I never once put my hand anywhere near the gun and I generally just pretended as though it wasn't there, and it wasn't a big deal. I don't think I came off as nervous because I really wasn't. When I first walked in I went over to the isle that I needed and started picking out items. As I was reading a package an employee came around the corner and stopped in her tracks, stared at my hip for a moment and then walked away. I gave no sign that I noticed this. Seeing as she was the only nearby employee I eventually had to ask her for help. She seemed very anxious but after being very polite to her I think I loosened her up. That was until it came time to pay. I felt her tension rise as I reached for my wallet. When it was all said and done I said "Thank you very much, have a nice day" and I walked out of the store without incident other than some gang banger looking guys that gave me the evil eye. So that was my first open carry experience. I'm not sure how you guys can handle that kind of stress all the time.
My name is Kyle. The "Quick Draw" nickname really has nothing to do with guns. It was a nickname that I picked up in grade school, and I have used it on a variety of forums. And I'm somewhat quick, but nothing compared to some of you, I'm sure.
I'm 21 years old and studying Mechanical Engineering. I haven't been around firearms for very long... In fact, only about 6 months. But like most hobbies I pick up, I fell into it very hard. This is definitely more of a lifestyle than a hobby for me now. I am absorbing everything I can, and working hard to train myself. I now have 2 rifles and 2 handguns and make a point to shoot once or twice per week. I drive my girl friend crazy, constantly practicing drawing my pistol, flipping the safety off and acquiring a target. And I also spend most of my time reading and watching videos to gain knowledge. This is a site that I found myself reading a lot, so I decided to join.
I am not paranoid nor am I afraid. I carry a gun because I understand that **** happens, and only the prepared will have a chance of surviving. I learned this lesson very well when I lost my house and nearly all of my possessions in a forest fire last summer. Bad things can happen to anybody. Some of my insurance money for the belongings I lost has gone to firearms and training. It was always something I wanted to do, but I never had the time or money. So no, I'm not an abnormally rich college student. Just one that traded all of my accumulated belongings for a truck, some firearms and a lot of ammunition. I also carry a gun because at 140 lbs, I have very little chance of fending off an attacker with my hands.
My CCW permit is on its way. I should see it in the mail in a couple of months. In the meantime, I had been getting used to wearing the pistol around the house in my IWB holster. Then it occurred to me, I could technically go out of the house legally now, as long as I tuck my shirt in so that the grip of my gun is clearly visible on my hip. According to my CCW instructor, that is legal open carry even though the barrel of the gun is stuffed inside my pants.
I first started carrying outside of my house while I did some repairs on my truck. Then I needed some parts at the auto parts store so I just decided to carry in there too. I made a big point of making my body language extremely non threatening, and I was very polite and courteous to the staff. I never once put my hand anywhere near the gun and I generally just pretended as though it wasn't there, and it wasn't a big deal. I don't think I came off as nervous because I really wasn't. When I first walked in I went over to the isle that I needed and started picking out items. As I was reading a package an employee came around the corner and stopped in her tracks, stared at my hip for a moment and then walked away. I gave no sign that I noticed this. Seeing as she was the only nearby employee I eventually had to ask her for help. She seemed very anxious but after being very polite to her I think I loosened her up. That was until it came time to pay. I felt her tension rise as I reached for my wallet. When it was all said and done I said "Thank you very much, have a nice day" and I walked out of the store without incident other than some gang banger looking guys that gave me the evil eye. So that was my first open carry experience. I'm not sure how you guys can handle that kind of stress all the time.
Pax...
