Q-tip

The more I OC, the more comfortable I feel with it and the more I realize people aren't really staring at me. It feels like it at first, and yeah some notice, but when they do they generally don't care. Keep doing it and you'll feel more comfortable with it. And yes, do be prepared to answer questions from people. Even though I assume you're not OCing to make a political statement, it doesn't hurt to educate folks when the opportunity arises. Countless people have been encouraged to purchase/carry a defensive firearm based on the knowledge that other people do it too. Carry on!

It definitely gets easier over time, and the amount of time depends on the person. I had my first "encounter" a few days ago at Auto Zone. The checkout guy saw it, and we struck up a conversation about the cost of a TN HCP, 1911's, etc. Very good experience.

FNX-9 for OC/with a jacket Diamondback DB9 when concealed means concealed 3" SP101 .357 for outdoor activities

I'd go with the 9. On the hip. No need in stuffing a full size pistol in your pants for a 12-mile hike. That just sounds painful. Carrying inside the pack also seems to defeat the purpose. Just my two pennies worth.

The wording of the law supports your opinion entirely. The interpretation of the Department of Public Safety, to whom the law gives authority to make the rules and regulations regarding the implementation of the law, is that only Mississippi permit holders can have the enhanced permit. When MS Permit holder through the process to get the endorsement, they get a sticker on the back of their permit signifying that they are endorsed, and nobody is endorsed unless they have that sticker. Unfortunately, it goes a little deeper than the wording of the law in this case, since the law allows the DPS to make up rules as they go along. It's been a big hassle to get the DPS training requirements to where they are now, much less to residents of other states.

It's a pretty healthy list, found in MS 45-9-101 "(13) No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize any person to carry a concealed pistol or revolver into any place of nuisance as defined in Section 95-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972; any police, sheriff or highway patrol station; any detention facility, prison or jail; any courthouse; any courtroom, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his courtroom; any polling place; any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity; any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof; any public park unless for the purpose of participating in any authorized firearms-related activity; any school, college or professional athletic event not related to firearms; any portion of an establishment, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, that is primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic beverages; any portion of an establishment in which beer or light wine is consumed on the premises, that is primarily devoted to such purpose; any elementary or secondary school facility; any junior college, community college, college or university facility unless for the purpose of participating in any authorized firearms-related activity; inside the passenger terminal of any airport, except that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal if the firearm is encased for shipment, for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; any church or other place of worship; or any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law. In addition to the places enumerated in this subsection, the carrying of a concealed pistol or revolver may be disallowed in any place in the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of such place by the placing of a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not less than ten (10) feet that the "carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited." No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the participants in a parade or demonstration for which a permit is required to carry a concealed pistol or revolver."

There are no plans from the MS DPS to allow other states' permit holders to carry in "enhanced permit" areas, and knowing the DPS I doubt they ever will allow it. There is a bill in committee right now that would allow church carry with or without a permit, but I'm not sure it'll make it out.

Fallguy posted correctly. Honestly though, there has never been a real test case of an open carried weapon, and the courts have said these things in cases that aren't directly related to OC. If you have a license, there's nothing in the law that keeps you from open carrying. If OC is "concealed", it's covered by the license. If OC is "open", there's no law that prohibits a person from doing it and it's specifically protected by the MS Constitution.

There are approximately 70 campuses across the country that allow CC (including the entire state of UT) and there has never been a single firearm-related incident with a permit holder. There's plenty of proof already that nothing will happen, and that even college students with permits are far less likely to break the law than average citizens without permits.

If you decide to take the tour to the RCA-B Studio, be aware that it's co-owned or at least used by Belmont University and therefore illegal to carry there.

To the OP, like others have said, please don't give up on OC this fast. I only OC once or twice a week, but have never had a reaction whatsoever aside from a glance. Again, I think location could have had a part in your experience, and you just happened to run across some very ignorant people.

Federal law doesn't affect carry or storage on college campuses. She might also consider storing it (unloaded) in a lock box under the seat. She might be fired if she refuses to give the key or combination if they decided to search it or something, but then again, I might completely forget what the combination was or have left my key at home if they asked to search it. Parking off campus is often a problem in many neighborhoods (like the one surrounding my university) where break-ins are a common occurrence, so that may not be a viable solution in her case.