Things I've noticed I've changed since becoming a CCer....

[Eric_DENative]

I've been pretty much carrying daily wherever I'm legally allowed (not allowed to at work) for only a couple of months now, but I've noticed that I've changed or have become more viligant in things I do. I assume this is all normal for someone trying to CC and protect themselves without drawing attention to themselves.

One is regarding situational awareness, I've always been "paranoid" and have watched people that come close to me in stores, standing in lines, or say crossing parking lots...but now I have been carrying, especially if they come close to my strong side, I'll actually turn away from them, or keep just that much more a close eye.

The other major item that i know notice is depending where I am, I've tried to keep my right hand free (I'm right handed and carry about my 4 o'clock). I never thought about it till recently when I was leaving a store and had my shopping bag in my right hand and thought if I had to get to my firearm quickly, my hand was full. Same thing when I am carrying my young son, when I leave a store for example walking across the lot, I used to always carry him on my right, now I'll switch him to my left side even though where my holster is and how I carry him doesnt interfere with my firearm when holstered, but would be a major hindrance in getting to it in a hurry.

Now, I would think small changes like this is common place, or am I being just a little to anal? If not, what other small/big changes have you all noticed that you do? Besides not frequenting locations that don't allow.

[oldgraygeek]

Carrying a gun, for me, is a very pacifying experience. I have a pretty good idea what would provoke me to draw my weapon, and I bend over backwards to avoid it.
I have become almost completely non-confrontational in public. For example, very few other drivers have seen my middle finger since 2005.
I have almost no physical fear of anyone when I am carrying; instead, I take extreme caution to avoid any situation that may escalate into someone (else) getting shot.

For example, a few months ago, some angry d-bag pulled up next to my car and yelled at me about some imagined(?) traffic slight. While I was waiting for the light to change so I could drive far away from him, I avoided any action that might make him even angrier, even as he was telling me just how he would kick my a$$. I didn't speak, I didn't make any gestures at him, and I kept my expression neutral. He took this as fear, and kept cursing me out, but that was fine with me. All I wanted was to drive away without provoking him further. I felt no fear: if he had come over to my car window, or done anything else threatening, he might have died right there on Limestone Road and Joe Hurley would be a few thousand well-earned dollars richer, but I would have been perfectly safe.

[Kilroy08]

I feel as though this is an extension of what my mentor has beat over my head for the past decade, "Be the thermometer, not the thermostat."
IE, observe, don't react. In younger years, I was quick to anger, that gets me nowhere. If someone wants to be a knucklehead, whatever. If they are not directly threatening me or my loved ones, they can be the world's biggest genius for all I care. Now that I have matured past my younger, brasher self the standard operating procedure is smile, and nod politely unless a serious threat is presented.

May all your shooting experiences be recreational and in the further pursuit of showing the 10 ring who's boss.

[Obleo]

When I started carrying I had to think this through completely and I hope everyone else does as well. Despite all the hard knocks I’ve lived a charmed life and have a wonderful family.  If a time comes when I have to defend my family with deadly force then the charmed life comes down hard.  As a Christian by calling I will then have violated the most important tenant by taking someone’s life.  I vowed to walk away from any trouble and never, ever injure a kid no matter how brilliant or dangerous.  Life will virtually end for me if I end someone else’s, no matter what the situation.

As a child a drunk noisily stumbled into our unlocked house at 2:00am.  My dad very nicely escorted him outside and sent him on his way.  Although times have changed this lesson stays with me.  I hope to never act on a perceived threat and only on an actual, irreversible threat.

[Hawkeye]

what other small/big changes have you all noticed that you do?

I used to carry my cell phone on my strong side, sometimes in a pouch or in my pocket. Since I have started carrying I have changed my phone to my weak side. Try pointing your firearm at something, or just having your hand on your gun, and then digging your phone out of you strong side pocket.

[ellington]

As a child a drunk noisily stumbled into our unlocked house at 2:00am.  My dad very nicely escorted him outside and sent him on his way.  Although times have changed this lesson stays with me.  I hope to never act on a perceived threat and only on an actual, irreversible threat.

That's a great story/lesson. Thanks.