I had read all the tips/tricks targeted towards newbies carrying and knew not to fidget with, adjust, etc. the firearm while in public. I'm sure it's a time-in-the-saddle thing, but I was keenly aware (self-conscious even?) that there was a loaded weapon on my hip. I suppose the goal is to get accustomed to the feeling...much like wearing a new watch. I don't think, however, you'd ever want to forget. I didn't feel an overwhelming urge to adjust the holster...I did pull at my shirt on occasion...especially when getting out of the car or transitioning from sitting to standing. In some cases...just to make sure I wasn't inadvertently displaying the firearm. One of my holsters is a "sticky holster" and has no belt loop...so it's not open carry legal.
It was a very sobering experience; sitting in a restaurant, driving the car, teaching Sunday school, running errands, etc. I reviewed a couple of apps on my phone before I went out..."LegalHeat" to remind myself of laws & places I can/cannot carry. Another app, "Texas3006", flashes up notifications when I'm in the vicinity of a location with valid/invalid 30.06/.07 signs. I had never really looked for signage before I went into businesses...so that was definitely new.
I train when/where I can...gun range, friends land, "iTargetPro" dry-fire practice at home...all with the hope that I never have to actually draw my firearm. Still...you cannot help but think about "what if"...would I freeze, would I be able to draw/shoot, would I have the wisdom and be able to accurately determine if deadly force was necessary, would I be able to stop the threat effectively without missing and causing harm/death to an innocent person. It felt a lot like playing baseball again...before each pitch you mentally assess the count, outs, where runners are, where the batter is likely to hit, what you'd do if it comes to you, where you go if it doesn't.
Now that the waiting is over...the next phase is underway and the responsibility that comes with it definitely takes some getting used to.
