Naked & Afraid
Once I got my CCW, I started learning all the different aspects of carrying my firearm. I see and read the stories of how people’s lives change in an instant when someone who has little respect for their life much less for your life decides to challenge life’s variables by robbing you of your belongings or possibly your life. I decided to start carrying my firearm as much as possible. This would mean my views, and my wardrobe would be changing. I was not really for “open-carry” (different article for later), but I was totally for concealed carry. I was “on-board”, but what did that actually mean? That meant I would probably start sacrificing fashion for safety. That meant I chose not to be a victim if possible.
I went to the range and rented different firearms that I could possibly carry without “printing” (another article for later), and that I was comfortable carrying. Also a firearm that had enough stopping power. My first firearm of choice was the Glock 30 (.45Cal) with a Tagua holster. I even started competition shooting to improve my skills with my newly acquired firearm. It did not take me long to figure out that was a bunch of firepower in a little gun. I was fearful of not being as proficient as I could be if the need arose. I also took classes on Personal Protection Outside The Home. After about 100+ of the 300+ I would be shooting that weekend, I quickly learned just how tired, and sore my hand could be and how my accuracy would diminish. I decided to purchase my now carry firearm the Glock 26 (9mm) with a Safariland ALS holster.
Now that I had everything sort of worked out, it was now time for me to start actively carrying. I soon learned that with this came a new wardrobe in order for me to be able to conceal. My shirts had to be a little larger, and I needed a new belt in order to support my “new addition”. Since I really don’t carry IWB, I did not need to worry about purchasing new pants that are a little larger to accommodate a IWB type carry.
I recently took a trip to Houston Texas, and my poor little firearm had to remain in my gun safe at home. Sometimes it is more of a hassle to try to check firearms so you can have them to carry at the destination you are going to, if you can actually carry them at all. Reciprocity extends for me to Texas, but like I was saying, it is such a hassle. During my stay there though, I totally felt “naked” without my firearm. Something I am not use to. I went to various areas of Texas and just did not feel as safe as I normally do. This can also come into play if I am not allowed to carry in certain establishments within my own state, but at least I know “if I can get to my car”. Many find themselves in this predicament if the company they work for, does not allow firearms (again….another future topic). We that “active carry” all the time will always run into these type issues. Many do not see things as we do. Many times we are left with that naked feeling. Until the people that are actually protected by firearms, but do not want you to be able to protect yourself and family grow a set, we will continue to be treated as second class or those “second amendment people”. They prefer for us to be “naked & afraid”.
