I have recently been reminded that, while most people are pro-gun or at least ambivalent, very few people are totally comfortable knowing the people around them have a weapon. It was someone how is pretty close to me, who has been making comments that I would have never expected. I really am not sure where this attitude comes from.
I think many people have a hard time believing that the people around them are as responsible and intelligent as they themselves are. My theory is it comes down to the old saying; people are smart but a person is not.
What does that mean. Well, basically the study of group psychology can allow us to very accurately predict what a group of people may do in certain circumstances. A group of people is much more controllable, because the majority of people thinking one way will tend to cancel out the actions of the few that think otherwise. Notice I didn't say the majority would do the right thing, they just will do what most of them think is right. Sometimes this is a very big difference.
On the other hand, a person is very uncontrollable. How a single person reacts in any situation is governed by how they process that information, which comes through the filter of their experience. What might cause concern in a group could cause panic in a person. What causes a stiffening of the resolve in a group could cause a violent backlash in a person.
I think it is this basic concept that scares people when they find out someone near them has a weapon. Suddenly, you have to be concerned about all the things that have happened in that persons life up to this point, in the context of how that will affect how they react in any given situation. And that is an uncomfortable position.
Think about this: when those of you who are shooters go to the range, how do you feel about the people or person in the lane next to you? Do you trust them to be safe, or do you keep your eye on them to make sure they don't do something to endanger you? It might be a stranger, or your best friend, but I generally become quite aware of what they are doing and how they are handling that remote control death dealing device called a handgun.
I think anyone is uncomfortable allowing other people to make life and death decisions for them, and that is basically what happens when someone carries a weapon. No doubt, this power of life or death will only come up in very grave circumstances, but it is always somewhere in the back of your mind. If there wasn't some possibility of needing it, no matter how remote, why would anyone carry a handgun? Even if you are not paranoid, just knowing a handgun is in the possession of someone around you means your life depends on their actions.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you should not carry your weapon because of this. Once you make the decision to carry, this is just one of the many things you will have to deal with. But it is just human nature for people to look at you differently when they know you are packing.
Personally, that is why I think it is called concealed carry. Concealed means concealed, and no one should know you have it. Don't show it off, brag about it, let it "accidentally" flash or print. Honestly, if you are the kind of person who needs to show off that they have a gun, then you probably aren't the kind of person who should have one. And that includes feeling the uncontrollable desire to wear your "Glocks rock" t-shirt, or your camo "Kill 'em all, let God sort them out" ball cap when you are going about your daily errands. Save that stuff for the range or your next IDPA meet.
People will only treat you differently if they know you are carrying, so don't let them know. Just be the average guy next door that people smile at, or give the head nod to. The kind of person they shake hands with when they meet them, or make polite conversation with while waiting in line. The only person who knows you have your weapon on should be you, and everyone will be fine. Because, to steal a thought from Clint Smith "carrying a handgun is comforting to you, but probably not to the people around you".
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