People, in general, really are oblivious to their surroundings.

[jaydoc1]

I'm thinking that when people finally notice someone with a handgun who's not dressed like rap star, they assume that person is supposed to have a gun.

This could have a lot to do with it.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

When Im in CO I OC if Im dressed nicely and the setting permits, if not Ill CC. Most assume Im a police officer....

[Skyyr]

I'm thinking that when people finally notice someone with a handgun who's not dressed like rap star, they assume that person is supposed to have a gun.

I agree with this.

[ST911]

I was shopping with my wife a few months ago. I had to put a case of water under the cart. I was wearing a button up shirt, untucked, and a crappy Fobus holster with my duty gun. When I stood up, my wife gave me the big eye look and motioned with her eyes to my side. My firearm became plainly uncovered. I quickly fixed my shirt and looked around the crowded area, expecting to see some unwanted attention. I dont think one person noticed. The fobus has been retired.

Many years ago, my wife and I had an arrangement for inadvertent exposures/printing. If she spotted it, she would move in and help cover the spot, usually a hug, pat, or something similar. Worked well in the early days of carrying everywhere.

And as always, people will judge books by their covers. Look dull!

The fobus has been retired.

Fobus is Hebrew for "suck."

I'm thinking that when people finally notice someone with a handgun who's not dressed like rap star, they assume that person is supposed to have a gun.

Exactly. Appearing and acting like you belong in a situation go a long way to minimize feedback/notice/alarm. Many will figure that if someone is bold enough to do something unique, and act like it's no big deal, they probably aren't a problem.

[NoveskeFan]

Many years ago, my wife and I had an arrangement for inadvertent exposures/printing. If she spotted it, she would move in and help cover the spot, usually a hug, pat, or something similar. Worked well in the early days of carrying everywhere.

Good advice for the wife, and I'll take it. Thanks for that.

[Mark/MO]

I'm thinking that when people finally notice someone with a handgun who's not dressed like rap star, they assume that person is supposed to have a gun.

I hadn't thought of it that way before but I bet you're right.

To be honest I think most people don't pay that much to their surrounding or others. I know when I first started carrying concealed I was constantly worried, am I printing, can anyone see it, etc. Over time I've come to believe unless you're acting strangely, dress in an unusual way or draw attention to yourself most are simply not going to notice. And personally that's the way I want it.

[Longhunter]

like where I live, Athens Ohio. Hot bed of sodomites and gun haters. They would definetly notice and call 911!

I want to change this subject just a bit if you don't mind. My thoughts on CCW permits and not noticing whats going on around you as was mentioned in the first post. I find the whole idea of concealed carry and the need to ask permission from government to carry a handgun an afront to the 2nd amendment. So is it a "Right" to bear arms or is it a "privilege" to bear arms?

I personally feel that to go through all the hoops to get a "permit" as in permission to carry a firearm is totally contrary to what the founders had in mind when they expounded on the right to bear arms. So if you have to ask permission to bear arms do you still have a right to bear arms?

In my way of thinking and what the founders thought, being the same, they believed that rights came from almighty God not almighty Government. And from where I set I see Americans that don't see what's going on around them, as in giving up their rights for a bowl of porridge, so to speak... they have given up their right (Godgiven) for a privilege to posess a firearm.

Speaking of not seeing what's going on around them!

[RyanB]

I have a little bit of experience open carrying in Arizona. I figure that when going into stores, walking around apartments, etc, 1 in 2 notices.

[bkb0000]

i've taken my jacket off in a restaurant before.. i think of all "open carry" scenarios, this is probably the least riske. people might scowl, but i'd be crazy surprised if the police were called.

unless you look like a piece of shit.

otherwise, while not "against" open-carry, it's certainly NOT my thing.

[Rattlehead]

I don't like relating movies to real scenarios, but a perfect example of this is in the movie Heat in the bank robbery scene when they walk out of the bank and one of the robbers has his Galil barrel sticking out from the bottom of his jacket. No one even takes a second glance at him, the bad thing is that people probably would not notice this in real life either, especially when there are so many people around.