Recently (or I should say finally), I got my Texas CHL renewed. I had let it lapse for a while because of other things in life, work, and a cool new Texas law (you can carry in your vehicle). I just didn’t make it a priority. Now that I have mine again, I’m carrying everywhere that it is legal. I just wanted you to know what I found different.
First, I noticed a lot more things. For some reason, it puts me back on guard and I’m better at noticing the little things. For example, this last Sunday, I went to church like I always do. I go to the same church, see the same people, know the building layout, and where the exits are. I normally sit near one, or at least pay attention to how far away I am from one. This week, I sat right next to one and noticed the extra little dead bolt on the exit door on the inside. I knew they where there, but didn’t think to check if someone had actually unlocked them like they should have. This week, the one I sat next to was still locked. Good information to have in an emergency.
Walking around, I noticed that I have been letting people get too close to me. I used to make sure people stayed at arms length or more away from me. It was a habit I had from working at an armored car company and transporting money. Somehow I’d gotten out of that habit and really noticed when someone bumped against me on the right side. I don’t know if she felt my gun or not, but she hit it. I’m definitely going to work on getting that habit back. No more squeezing through people when I go places.
I also have the paranoid feeling back that everyone can see my gun. I went to dinner last week with some friends and sat on the outside of the booth with my gun side out. I thought the entire meal my shirt was going to come up and show off my gun to the entire restaurant. I had to physically fold my hands on the table to keep myself from tugging at my shirt and gun the entire meal.
I also started carrying a revolver appendix style as a backup gun. I’ve learned that exposed hammers are sharp and hurt. I’m now looking for a hammerless revolver to take its place. I also learned that I really like appendix carry. The revolver works perfect for me. The cylinder rides right behind my belt and creates a great comfortable way for me to carry. I can’t seem to carry anything else that way comfortably. I did carry an unloaded gun for 2 days and work a lot on my draw and holstering with an unloaded gun before I carried one loaded there.
I have to laugh at myself for carrying an unloaded gun for a couple of days. When I started working on appendix carry, I did a couple sessions of practice with an unloaded gun for about a week. Then I carried one unloaded for almost a day with no problems. We had a dinner party that night at our home with friends and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try carrying the gun loaded. Half way through dinner I got up and went into my bedroom and took off the gun. It was mental anguish. Every time I moved, I was afraid the gun was going to go off and I would lose a body part that I really like. Not to mention the embarrassment that would have caused (I’m a Marine, pain is easy to deal with, embarrassment still scares me).
All of this was purely mental. I carry a modern revolver with a transfer bar safety. The only way it will fire is if the trigger is pulled. But I was still uncomfortable. So I carried the gun unloaded for the next two days until I was reasonably certain that it wouldn’t go off when I didn’t want it to. Now I’m carrying my revolver as a backup and love it.
What are your weird stories about carrying a gun? Send me an email or leave it in the comments below.
Stay Safe,
Ben