[fieldman]

I OC'd for the first time today. Had the day off and was at home without the wife and kids. I thought it would be a good time to go out and begin getting comfortable with it. Figured I'd start off with running some errands.

Went to Wawa in South Smyrna. Ran inside and picked up a shorti and drink for lunch. I thought the neon sign over my head was invisible to others until I was headed out the door. A teenager was coming in the door. I could tell when he noticed cause he sort of paused, with eyes locked on my glock. Then he opened the door as if to hold it for me, eyes still on my gun. I stood back and waved him thru. I gassed the truck and a couple of gas cans for my mower. I think the woman at the pump opposite of mine noticed, but she didn't panic.

I stopped at Smyrna Hardware to pick up a couple items I need for a project. The guy behind the cash register I'm sure noticed but didn't seem to care. Nothing was said.

I will continue to carry when I'm by myself to get comfortable, then will introduce the wife to OC. I do have a couple questions about my experience today, but that is another post I don't have time for right now.

[GatorDude]

Congrats on your first OC experience!

I have wife issues as well. I generally carry concealed (shirt over gun in Serpa Blackhawk holster). My wife regularly asks if I have the gun to "look important." I generally don't respond.

I've noticed that the more I have it on, the less she notices. Sometimes she goes through the entire day and then she sees it and asks when I put it on. I tell her when I got dressed this morning.

Anyway, I can empathize with your plight.

[Amy Blackthorn]

Good luck with your wife!

And Congrats on OCing for the first time.

[myopicvisionary]

Good first day!

[wwd]

Yeah...my wife isn't too keen on it, but may be coming around (see Encounters of Note).

[fieldman]

Thanks all. I don't think most folks see much use in OC/CC until they have a sketchy encounter where they would have liked the added layer of security. By then its too late. Props to WWD's wife for having a little foresight and figuring out its not such a bad idea. My wife will prolly react like gators and just think I'm doing it to feel or look important or for whatever other reason she could dream up, but I really will carry primarily to keep them safe. My safety is secondary to theirs.

EDIT: I thought wwd's wife was the one that requested an armed escort on a shopping trip when the serial rapist was running around the area. I read that in someone's OC log. I see you had a road rage issue in the jersey republic and the wife got to see the value in being prepared.

[fieldman]

Today I went to Smyrna Hardware to pick up items needed for a workbench I'm building in my garage. I'm sure they noticed. Nothing was said.

Then went to the new Verizon Wireless store in Smyrna (old 7/11) @ Rt 13 & 300. I won't be returning there. The young sales guy was more interested in texting on his phone instead of helping me. He was sort of rude when he did. Like I was bothering him. Asked if i could use a $25 discount card sent to me by VZW corporate for the delay in sending me the phone I ordered. They would not and he suggested I try Dover or Wilmington. They have next to nothing as far as selection, might as well have gone to the other stores to begin with.

Went to Smyrna KFC/Taco Bell for some lunch. Ate inside. Staff and patrons I'm sure noticed, but no reactions.

Went to Ronny's Garden World to get some landscaping items. Walked around the entire place inside and out. Several staff offered help and were friendly as usual. I'm sure they noticed, but nothing was said.

Picked up my daughter from day care, disarmed in parking lot for the trip in/out of the facility. Re-armed in lot before leaving.