flhrci
Regular Member
I have been contemplating this all week since registering for CCW class and all the way through the class, which I passed Wednesday night.
I have been reading up on open and concealed carry and have found both to have so many similarities. I can't submit my app for CCW till Dec 4th so I went to the range this morning to get some practice in and also talked to one of my CCW instructors about getting used to carrying in public either open or concealed. He told me you just have to go out and do it and suggested a quick visit to Wal-Mart while open carrying to see that no one will notice. The conversation gave me enough courage to give it a shot.
Too far away from Wal-Mart, I went to Meijer in Gahanna and carried in the gas station, put the gun away to be legal while I drove up to the Meijer store and got it back out again. Lots of trouble to do that. Anyway, I went in open carrying with my jacket tucked under the holster on my right belt. Plenty of people around and kids to. The greeter did not notice and I walked all the way back to the ammo section with plenty of people around and even passed some people there getting hunting licenses. Looked at the ammo and walked back out of the store. About 10 minutes or so in the store. Made it back to my truck and put the gun away in the lock box.
I was nervous all the time and highly aware of my surroundings. I was actually shaking at times. Even this was a short open carry, it gave me the courage to do it more and to get used to it. I am not sure how to describe how I am feeling now about the whole thing. I guess I am still anxious about carrying but I can see myself getting used to it. I did feel the gun was part of me as the new leather holster was stiff so I could feel it hugging my body all the time. New gun, new holster.
Anyway, I feel good about my decision to carry and will carry more. I just want the CCW so it makes things easier in my vehicle and I can conceal if I want to.
I feel like I got over a hurdle in my life now. Just thought I would share.
David
I have been reading up on open and concealed carry and have found both to have so many similarities. I can't submit my app for CCW till Dec 4th so I went to the range this morning to get some practice in and also talked to one of my CCW instructors about getting used to carrying in public either open or concealed. He told me you just have to go out and do it and suggested a quick visit to Wal-Mart while open carrying to see that no one will notice. The conversation gave me enough courage to give it a shot.
Too far away from Wal-Mart, I went to Meijer in Gahanna and carried in the gas station, put the gun away to be legal while I drove up to the Meijer store and got it back out again. Lots of trouble to do that. Anyway, I went in open carrying with my jacket tucked under the holster on my right belt. Plenty of people around and kids to. The greeter did not notice and I walked all the way back to the ammo section with plenty of people around and even passed some people there getting hunting licenses. Looked at the ammo and walked back out of the store. About 10 minutes or so in the store. Made it back to my truck and put the gun away in the lock box.
I was nervous all the time and highly aware of my surroundings. I was actually shaking at times. Even this was a short open carry, it gave me the courage to do it more and to get used to it. I am not sure how to describe how I am feeling now about the whole thing. I guess I am still anxious about carrying but I can see myself getting used to it. I did feel the gun was part of me as the new leather holster was stiff so I could feel it hugging my body all the time. New gun, new holster.
Anyway, I feel good about my decision to carry and will carry more. I just want the CCW so it makes things easier in my vehicle and I can conceal if I want to.
I feel like I got over a hurdle in my life now. Just thought I would share.
David
Last edited: