Concealed Carry novelty

[wisconsin]

coming from WI
so I had an interesting discussion with the local sheriff (who supports concealed carry) and he said 2 things to me that were interesting. 1. that his department is really indifferent on the issue because it does not really change how they do things, they have always assumed someone is armed. 2. he thinks that the novelty of concealed carry will wear off after 2-3 months and people will start to not carry.
now I'd like to assume that everyone here, including myself, will carry as much as possible and that the "novelty" of self defense wont wear off, but what do you think of the general public?
will most people stop carrying after awhile?

 

[dastardly-D]

Concealed carry...

I've seen for myself that a lot of card holders don't carry if it is the least bit inconvienant.Your carry piece shouldn't be at home when the police are only 7 minutes away ?

 

[Standing Wolf]

2. he thinks that the novelty of concealed carry will wear off after 2-3 months and people will start to not carry.

Unfortunately, he's probably right. It's all too easy to slip back into condition white.

My solution to the question when to carry and when not to bother is the essence of simplicity: if I'm beyond the front door, I'm carrying. No decisions to make. No complications. No hassles. I just do what I always do.

 

[thefamcnaj]

I don't see the novelty of cc wearing off. I figure most people get a ccp in order to protect themselves and their family. I've had mine half a year or so and I carry every time I leave the house. Even if I'm just out walking the dog, or running to the store or just whatever I always always have a fire arm on me. A gun is like my wallet and keys, I don't leave home with out it. I don't think trying to protect myself or my family will ever get old.

 

[Girodin]

I think it depends on why people get a permit in the first place. I actually know a surprising number of people who took the course got a permit and never intended to start carrying in the first place.

As to actual numbers, it is anyone's guess.

 

[SaxonPig]

I saw some statistics showing that the number of permits did fall off a bit as time passed. I guess some folks decided they didn't need to carry. But it was a small drop in numbers.

Every state that has adopted liberal CCW laws had people wailing and moaning about "blood in the streets," "gunfights over parking spaces," and rampant accidental shootings. None of this ever comes to pass.

 

[Sam1911]

Glad to hear he and his deputies will continue proper business as usual. No reason at all for them to assume anything better or worse about the folks they interact with than before.

As for his other opinion, he's probably sort of right. I imagine within 5 years or so things will have settled down to the same 5%-7% or so that lawfully carry as in the majority of other "shall issue" states. There may be a bit of a surge at first, and then a lot of folks will decide that their day to day life just isn't dangerous enough to warrant the hassle of carrying a firearm. That's life. Lots of folks make that choice every day -- and most of them do indeed live to tell about it.

 

[Obsidian]

Coming from Wisconsin (at least for a day or two longer) I would agree with his assessment. Most of the folks in my rural area are either not concerned about it, or will find carrying and maintaining the awareness of where you can carry and not, what stores will allow it and not will get old. And when late spring and summer roll around next year I suspect there will be a bigger drop off of those that carry.

 

[OldmanFCSA]

I used to carry in Bayfield Couty Wisconsin on a regular basis due to bears and wolves causing problems while we were logging trees. It was not legal but necessary at the time due to conditions. The Sherriff knew I was carrying but did not enforce as he knew how I was using it.

Point to be made - all counties will have different methods used, dependent on their enviroment - some will enforce hard to letter of the law, others will enforce to suit their needs.

But I will be legally carrying in WI on Nov 1st.

 

[Rail Driver]

I haven't gone anywhere (except prohibited places) without a gun since I got my license. I lock it in the car if I have to go into a prohibited place.

I don't know about other people, but I'd rather lug around my 4 lb 1911 everywhere I go than watch someone do something horrible to my family, myself, or anyone else in my immediate area.

 

[hiker44]

After getting my permit, I have never been more than three seconds from any of my concealable firearms. There really was never any "novelty" to it, and I am never out of the house without one firearm or another. For me, the novelty will definitely not wear off.

 

[jon86]

Unfortunately, I know a few permit holders think that it's strange that I carry whenever legally possible. They only want to carry when they "think" it might be "dangerous" outside. I'm not sure what that means. If I knew of a potentially dangerous situation, I wouldn't leave the house that day.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I think folks that are already "gun guys, or gun gals" will probably get a smaller cc gun that's easy to slip in a pocket. Those that aren't interested in guns will probably figure their full size gun is a hassle and not carry all the time. I went from a glock 19, to 26, to keltec p3at. I still carry larger guns when possible and use the p3at as a BUG, but it's always with me.

 

[Plan2Live]

I'm new (this year) to conceal carry and I am finding two main areas of difficulty.

1. I bought an XDm 3.8 Compact for carry purposes. That's smaller than a Glock 19, most 1911s, most Sigs, most CZs, and other makes that folks here talk about easily concealing yet I am finding it a challenge to conceal. No, I haven't tried a Crossbreed or knockoff yet mainly because I don't want to have to go out and buy bigger pants on top of all the other money I have spent on this endeavor. Nor do I relish waiting 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. But even with a good belt I have a noticeable bump using an Outside the Waistband holster and it often peeks out when I brush my cover garment back to retrieve my wallet (right rear) or anything in my right front pocket.

2. In SC we cannot carry anywhere alcohol is served for on premise consumption. That pretty much covers most of the restaurants I like to eat at, nearly all street fairs and live outdoor music festivals and going from the festival to my parked vehicle is the danger zone just like going from the restaurant to the vehicle is the danger zone. It seems there are more places I frequent that I can't cary than I can. I guess our esteemed lawmakers didn't think that one through very well.

 

[offduty]

I had my CCW for couple of years now. I found myself not carrying much in the summer due to the hassle of trying to conceal. After a close call I bought a .380 and pocket carry in the summer. I now carry all the time, summer and winter. I just adjust what gun I carry with how I am dressed. Figured carrying a smaller cal. is better than none at all.

 

[waidmann]

Here we simply have "carry". The permit is required to have a handgun accessable in the automobile. Many permittees rarely carry on their person, some never intended to do so. In my family it is a three way split, one occassionally, one maintained in the vehicle, I am usually armed. And, of course we have parks, public buildings and other circumstances where carry is not permitted.

 

[walk soft]

The novelty has worn off for me.It's now one of the things I check to make sure I have before I leave home,just like keys,wallet and cellphone.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

I'm carrying as I type this, but I admit I've had to invest in a few different firearms and holster styles to make carrying feasible all the time. Furthermore, I am supported by this community and the passion of other enthusiasts. Part of what made me get the license in the first place is with me today and keeps me vigilant. However, if a license holder feels like they do not need to carry, that is entirely their choice.

I go by the motto "Hope and pray for the best... but expect the worst".

If I knew I was walking into danger, I would stay at home... and probably still carry there

FYI, I do not leave unlocked firearms at home nor unattended in a parked vehicle.

 

[X-Rap]

The exposoin in sales of quality pocket guns tells me that a lot of folks are carrying often. I for one am glad for fall since I have now been regularly packing one of my G19's.
Just this thread had comments from many posters on EDC being a 380. They may not be the greatest but it's better than a sharp stick.

 

[Strykervet]

Depends on the individual I guess. My wife stopped and let her card expire. Then she got it back, had to do it all over again (just fill out a form and do the prints) but pay the whole fee. Now she's been purse carrying a G17 pretty religiously. Nice little setup she has actually. Great since she can't really carry on her person at work, and having a full size pistol like the G17 that is easy to use and she is familiar with goes a long way.

And me? Been carrying since '02. I prefer a G29 or 27 in a Milt Sparks VMII with a good double thick belt.

I guess for some folks it is a novelty that wears off. But to think that as a whole, that is slippery... I bet many make bad choices for carry initially, and then put it off, but I bet a lot pick it back up when they figure out what rig works best for them. I actually went through this period for a bit myself. When I found Milt Sparks holsters and Animal Jack's belts, I was good to go. Like the scope is most important for a long range rifle, the holster and belt are equally important if not more so than the pistol itself.

 

[ritepath]

I've found that 3 out of 4 people I know don't carry on a regular basis. Most IMHO have their CHP/CWP just to keep it concealed in the vehicle, or while out on business trips. Most people don't take the time to learn to get comfortable with FT CC.

I carry a LCP as my EDC.

 

[Unkei]

Always Armed

I carry everyday, without fail! I am a retired LEO (34 years), and think it oly prudent. Carry everything from 22mag to 45 acp and 45 Colt or my single actions. I put the gun on after bathing in am and do not take it off till I retire at night. If nothing else, I always have my NAA 22 mag in a pocket holster.
I agree they many will start out carrying everyday, then taper off or quit entirely. I think this is ill advised, since a right not exercised is right in danger of extinction!
Unkei

 

[FruitCake]

I agree with what the sheriff said most that I know don't carry and they have a permit.
Sad but true.
I just make sure my wife and I carry.

 

[Frozen North]

I bet this is gonna bring a surge of new gun sales into WI. With rifle deer season upon them and the sales of CCW guns, I bet those gun shops are gonna have a good quarter.

There was a surge when permits were issued in MN, but the percentage of renewals were high too.

Shall issue is a win-win for everyone in WI. Good for them!

 

[Samari Jack]

seasonal thing

For me it is a seasonal thing. In NC in August and it's 98 with 90% humidity and I'm in shorts and a T shirt it must be a tiny little thing or it isn't concealed. When I can wear long pants, I usually have my Bersa .380, or my Kahr P9. When the coats come on It is a Glock 19 or Springfield .40.

Funny thing, I can carry an Asp in my shorts pocket with half of it sticking out and never get any slant way looks. Most assume it is handle for something i noxious. Actually, turning into on of my favorite neutralizers. http://www.batondefense.com/ Great to if a dog at you heals on a bicycle has a desire to become endentulous.