Wal Mart Walk parallels?

[burrfoot]

(I'm ready to get flamed for this one)

So, I've been hearing for years about the "Wal Mart Walk" that people use to test the waters of actually carrying once they've gotten their CCW/CHL/whatever their state calls it. I've had mine for about a year and a half, and am just now starting to carry at times.

If no one wants to answer, I'll understand, but I'm curious to hear about variations on this. For me, just recently, I did "the test" at the dog park I frequent at least daily. With it getting dark so early I'm often the only one/last one there and although it's light when I get there it's full dark when I leave, it's somewhat isolated, and abuts it a large non-dog park...

I suppose if you don't agree with concealed carry no justification will be enough, and if you do I don't have to convince you, so I'll just leave it at that. Isolated area at/after dark.

Anyhow, it's kind of a weird to find out that when you do it right, people really and truly don't know. I get that this is the whole point, it's just an odd feeling (at least it has been these first few times) because I'm so conscious of it.

The feeling is already fading, but it was such an interesting experience that it made me curious to hear if anyone else shared that feeling the first few times, and to hear where/when/why they chose to start (because I think a lot of CCW holders, even, don't actively carry. Or at least not right away.)

And, of course, I donated this morning so that it'd go to America's VetDogs. Canis lupus familiaris kicks ass.

*Edited for phraseology*

[Gumbo]

1. For me

I was nervous the first few times. Open carry is legal in Louisiana, so I wasn't concerned about violating the law, but I still didn't want to cause a scene. I promise, you are far more aware of that miniscule bulge under your shirt than anyone else is. I stopped worrying about it after I carried my P229 in an OWB holster a few times. Eventually, if you carry religiously (which you should if you're going to carry at all), your sidearm will just become another one of these things you check to make sure you have before you leave the house and then forget about.

[burrfoot]

2. I never

even thought to check Florida's laws on open carry- gonna do that now. It'd be good to know if an accidental display (not that I plan to be sloppy about it) is actually against the law.

Thanks!

[Peregrine]

4. There is no open carry law in FL

and yes accidental displays and printing is illegal in FL.

[imdjh]

32. printing?

[X_Digger]

34. Printing- showing the outline of a gun through clothes.

ie, drop a gun in your pocket, and it's pretty obvious in most pants. Hence the need for a 'pocket holster' or similar- they make a gun in your pocket look like a wallet (or at least not a gun).

[PavePusher]

37. To add to x-d's post...

Oddly, in Texas and Florida (where Open Carry of hand-guns is banned), even the mere suggestion of the outline of a gun under clothing, even if legally carried by a person with a CC permit, can be considered illegal, and an arrestable offence. Very stupid law, only enforced by very stupid police.

[safeinOhio]

38. conceal with no impring

L.W. Seecamp 32 auto with laser.

http://www.seecamp.com/laser.htm

[burrfoot]

3. Aaaaand....

FL is a non-permissive open carry state. Good thing to know.

[taurus145]

22. If you want to keep abreast of carry laws try

http://opencarry.org/

[paulsby]

5. the average person

ime is incredibly UNAWARE of their surroundings. you could walk around with a gun on your hip and unless it was bright pink with flashing neon highlights, most people won't even notice it on your hip.

[spin]

13. Amazing, but the truth...

The only people who will notice that you are printing are cops, other concealed carry permit holders and bad guys.

The majority of people in this country walk around with their head up their butt listening and talking on a cell phone.

Note: I'm not saying that you should be paranoid, just aware of your surroundings.

[paulsby]

15. condition white

jeff cooper refers to this as "condition white". he recommends that people are better served by being in condition yellow, when not in their house, etc.

http://www.teddytactical.com/SharpenBladeArticle/4_States%20of%20Awareness.htm

CONDITION WHITE- White is the lowest level on the escalator. In Condition White one is unaware, not alert, oblivious. This state can be characterized as "daydreaming" or "preoccupied". People in White tend to walk around with their heads down, as if watching their own feet. They do not notice the impending danger until it literally has them by the throat.

You see examples of this frequently. When was the last time you saw someone in traffic roll right up to a barricade or stalled vehicle, then expect you to stop and let them into your lane? They're operating their vehicle in Condition White. When a motorist runs over a motorcyclist and kills him, what are the first words out of their mouth? "I didn't see him." They're not lying. They were so inattentive and complacent that they did not notice a 200-pound man on a four hundred pound machine right in front of them. When this same guy runs past a stop sign and broadsides your car, killing your child, he will say, "I didn't see it.".

These same guys will be the victims of violent crime, because the criminal targets the inattentive, the complacent, the lazy, the distracted, the preoccupied. Why? Because the criminal wants to get to him, get what he wants from him, and get away from him, without being hurt or caught. Who would be the easiest person to do that to? Someone in Condition White. I'm sure you've seen or read about the Miranda card police officers carry. From it they read off a suspect's rights before questioning him. Dedicated victims carry a similar card in their pockets. If they are still alive when the police arrive, they take this card out of their pockets and read from it, as follows:
" Geez, it all happened so fast.
He materialized right next to me.
I never saw him.".

So, when would it be acceptable to be in Condition White? When in your own home, with the doors locked, the alarm system on, and your dog at your feet. Then, you can turn off your mind, if you wish, because you have sufficient layers of protection and warning to enable you to get up, get your gear, and get your head running. If you leave your home, you leave Condition White behind. The instant you leave your home, you escalate one level, to Condition Yellow.

[spin]

19. Well put and a good read for most people. (n/t)

[virginia mountainman]

6. I have carried for several years now..

I carry almost 100% of the time, the exceptions to this rule are when I am going to my kids school events (where I get out of the car) and other "no no" places, like the post office. But thankfully, due to the no guns rules, they NEVER are any shootings at those places...snark...

The first time I carried publicly was a trip to the grocery store. Now, like another poster said, it is second nature. Most fellers have a spot, in their house, where they put their loose change, wallet, and car keys, at my house, in that spot, is my Glock 36.

Here is a photo, of what I carry, basically at all times, A 45 Caliber glock, with two spare magazines, a cell phone, a wallet, and under the muzzle of my pistol is my VA CHL. Not shown are my car keys, because they are in the ignition outside.



EDIT, The number one thing I like to tell new CHL holders is, becareful around public restrooms. really easy to drop your gun, or otherwise expose it to other people.

[eqfan592]

7. You leave your keys in the ignition of your car at all times?

I probably could get away with that where I live now, but living in the city is still to close to memory to feel comfortable doing it. :P

[virginia mountainman]

8. Yep, but I don't leave them in "overnight" anymore..

I was between errands. :hi:

[petronius]

9. It's pretty irresponsible to leave a deadly weapon where any passerby could just take it

Cars kill people, you know... :P

[taurus145]

25. Guess what I CC

Go ahead, I dare ya. Betcha can't.

For OC, it's usually a 1911.

[virginia mountainman]

27. Yep, carried a kimber for many years..

But got tired of needing to take such "close care" of it, in the rain and such. Not to mention, it was a bit large, and bulky.

When a friend of mine, got into a tight spot, he offered to sell me the Glock, so I took it, noticed how much LIGHTER it was. How much less maintenance it is..(Don't need to oil it after it gets wet) and it is much smaller.

They had me at the term "NO RUST"!!! and I was sold.

Still carry the Kimber, sometimes, but for everyday carry, the Glock has been their every day for almost two years now. I can put a light, normal sized T-shirt on, some light shorts, my docker's shoes, and still have a .45 hidden on my person, with two extra mags for good measure, and NO ONE KNOWS.....

It takes a bit more work to hide the Kimber.....

[taurus145]

36. Size is why I generally only OC the 1911

Maintenance, care, and feeding are the poppa's duty. I don't mind that part.

[Euromutt]

30. A handful of bull?

Something for the new Millennium, something a Pro might use...

[taurus145]

35. DING DING DING DING DING

We have a winner!

How in the world did you figure it out?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. Ironically, the day I got my ccw permit I open carried @ Best Cuts

I needed a hair cut, and was wearing a Springfield polished stainless 1911-A1 (Govn't 1911... NOT inconspicuous) under a jacket. I walked in and aftre waiting the hair stylist asked me to take my coat off and have a seat. LOL, OK!

I even got some looks from mommies waiting in the waiting area (lol) :nopity: and acted like everything was 100% normal paying not attention to any looks at all. "Are you a cop?"... "No, why?" (lol). I would have done the same at my usual barber shop... but my barber wears gun of his own so the feather-ruffling factor is not there.

Open carry is fun when you know there will be soccer-moms (no pun intended) around.
They tend to have little emotional control. ROFL.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

11. The Walmart walk is OK, but I prefer the mall walk.

Around here, carry is allowed @ Walmart so it's not a big deal. Open carry is legal too so being made is not a risk. The mall actually is better because there's more people, security guards, and it's a "gun-free zone" :eyes: (at least when I'm not there).

[Euromutt]

21. Oh good, I'm not the only one

I guess the reason it's called the "Wal-Mart Walk" is because Wal-Mart policy is that everything is permissible in the store that is legal under relevant state and local law, so you can't get into trouble. But yeah, I don't shop at Wal-Mart if I can help it, and it does a certain amount of spice to be carrying in a non-permissive environment, provided you're not actually breaking the law. The malls around here don't have "no guns" signs on the door; the prohibition on "weapons of any kind" is buried somewhere in a rather lengthy list of mall rules posted on the wall somewhere near the doors, so it's easy to miss.

And I know security at The Commons in Federal Way, WA does enforce the "no weapons" rule, though to say they aren't very smart about it is putting it mildly. Several months ago, I was sitting at the Starbucks by the main doors; two tables over a GI from the 25th Inf. Div., in uniform, was meeting an estate agent (probably). Outside, a FWPD Crown Vic rolls up, the cop gets out and comes into the mall, and is met by a security guard. They talk briefly, and then the cop walks up behind the GI and taps him on the hip, obviously checking for a firearm. Blatantly illegal, and of course the GI wasn't carrying (I think it's against regs to carry concealed in uniform). And because they were focused on the GI, neither mall security nor the cop picked up on the guy (me) carrying a concealed weapon two tables over.

And frankly, that incident just confirmed to me that mall security isn't going to pick up an actual threats, which to my mind justifies continuing to carry at the mall.

[spin]

29. Why should they have "picked up" on you?...

you were carrying concealed.

[Euromutt]

40. Well, evidently they thought the GI was

He was clearly not wearing a pistol belt, and the cop patted him on the hip where a concealed handgun most likely would have been, had the GI been carrying one.

You're right that there's no physical reason the mall security guy and the cop should have picked up on my carrying. But that raises the question why they would bother trying to enforce a rule they aren't actually capable of informing (at least without having a friendly cop do something of dubious legality).

[jeepnstein]

12. You get used to it after a while.

It's not uncommon for you to walk a bit "heavy" at first. You'll also catch yourself adjusting your holster and patting the weapon. Eventually it's just part of your daily attire and you forget it's there. Don't get a cheap holster. A good one is worth every penny.

[spin]

14. Usaully I carry a snub nosed .38 in a pocket holster...

in my right front pocket.

If something looks suspicious, I can place my right hand on the grip of the .38 in my pocket. No one would think anything was unusual. Yet, a firearm in the hand is a lot faster to draw than one in a holster on a belt. Also, since I live in Florida, I can wear normal clothing that doesn't give away the fact that I am carrying.

Sometimes in the winter months, I will carry a 3" .357 mag S&W Model 60 in an inside the waistband holster covered by a winter jacket. Again, I'm wearing season appropriate clothing.


S&W Model 642 .38+P

[Gumbo]

16. That Airweight

is a sweet little gun, +P loads pop the shit out of your hand though. You should consider switching out those grips for something smoother. I find that the factory rubber ones are too tacky for pocket carry.

[spin]

18. The recoil is brutal to say the least...

I had to put a lot of rounds through it before I was comfortable carrying it. I can rapid fire double action at a full sized silhouette at 21 feet and put all 5 shots well in the "kill zone". I find the sights make the weapon difficult to use accurately at 45 feet. If I slow down and really concentrate in the target shooting mode, I can do O.K. The snubbie is called a belly gun for a reason. Of course, it would be hard to explain why you had to use a firearm at that distance unless an unusually rare circumstance happened where a bad guy was shooting at you.

The little Smith attracted a lot of attention attention at the range and I was always willing to allow another shooter to run a cylinder full of ammo through the weapon. One cylinder was enough, and the shooter never wanted to try the snubbie again. We both agree that the recoil is nasty. I have never tried the Smith Airweight (Model 340PD) in the .357 mag caliber, although it might make a better self defense weapon if you could handle it.

I haven't had any real problems with the grip. Possibly, the newer grips differ from mine. I bought the weapon way back when Smith first said that it could handle +P loads.

[jeepnstein]

23. Me too, kinda...

I went for the 940. I almost always use pocket carry. My pocket holster keeps it from printing. The rubber grips are a problem since they are sticky so I switched to a set of old-school wooden J-frame grips. Sometimes an inside the waistband holster is a nice option, too. My Officers Model 1911 requires a real holster but I don't carry it much unless I'm in uniform.

[spin]

24. I have a S&W 940 with a 3" barrel in a lockbox on a table just to the left of me...

as I am typing this post.

It has a set of aftermarket rubber grips with finger grooves, which I believe are Uncle Mikes grips. I have carried this weapon occasionally but it is a little heavy for pocket carry.

The biggest advantage of this little firearm is the 9mm full moon clips which enable extremely quick reloads.

[jeepnstein]

26. The original grips...

were rubber with finger grooves. They look like Mikes without a logo. The only time I put them back on mine is when I'm qualifying.

A three incher is an odd duck. Have you seen the prices they've been getting for two inchers lately? I wouldn't trade mine for anything. The moon clips are great. Plus, I'm a huge fan of the 9mm. It's a great round for a snubby.

[spin]

28. I like the longer barrel as with my eyes it is easier to shoot...

its a great little revolver. It's a shame S&W discontinued making them.

The prices for this weapon are really increasing. I have no plans to sell mine. I am very fond of J-frame Smiths.

[spin]

31. A good belt is also very important...

gun belts are not cheap but they are well made and in the long run might save you money over the cheap crap belts sold at Walmart.

I wear a belt that probably will outlast me.



The Wilderness' Original Instructor Belt 1.5"

The Original Instructor Belt was developed in 1983 and has been refined ever since, now offering higher quality and more options than ever. It is a very strong belt with a specially designed carbon steel V-ring buckle coated with non-glare black Roguard, a tough milspec finish which is highly corrosion-resistant and will not chip like cheaper coatings. The belt was originally designed to clip into a secure system while "instructing" others in high places during mountain rescue training, although they can be used for emergency rappelling with proper training. Our belts have also proven to be a fantastic everyday pants belt for casual or outdoor use, as well as concealed-carry.
http://store.thewilderness.com/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=2007&osCsid=ifv0bmgp9qsf98v0hndhllnsd7

At just under $40 this is a good buy.

[taurus145]

39. I use a similar one from 511 Tactical

Bought at the U.S. Cavalry store for $5.00 on clearance.

Of course, it started off at $49.99. Price doesn't make it good, but it would've been worth the original price. Sturdy, comfortable, wears like iron.

[spin]

17. K&R , Interesting post...

I remember one time shortly after I got my carry permit, my car broke down and required a tow to a shop to get the alternator replaced.

I had a Ruger .357 SP101 revolver in the glove box. Not wanting to leave it in the car while it was being repaired, I stuck the revolver in a belly band holster under my shirt.

After the car was fixed, I was waiting at the counter to pay. The clerk mentioned to the customer in front of me that the mechanic had noticed the billy club in his vehicle. He laughed and said he wanted to always be prepared.

Of course, I didn't say anything about the .357 I was carrying but I had a little smile on my face as I paid my bill.

[burrfoot]

20. :) Nice. n/t

[DU GrovelBot]

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