Yesterday marked only the second day that I have been carrying a concealed handgun under Wisconsin's new provision. Like a lot of guys, we are getting a lot of advise for examples in that gray zone. Even the cops will hedge their bets with conservative applications of the law. However, everyone says to "err on the side of caution."

Yesterday after the gym, my wife and I stopped for coffee as we usually do. The B&N we attend is inside our more transitional mall, and like many gathering places, the clientele is shifting in its demographic nature.

I dropped my wife off near the side door (she had knee surgery and the weather was damp) and I drove off to park her red Escape SUV. I noticed a couple, only because the woman was carrying a small teacup dog. I parked, walked into the coffee bar, only to find my wife slightly agitated. She informed me that "a guy" had gotten way too close to her, slammed his cup down near the cash register, and tried his best to "intimidate" her. She pointed out the same guy I noticed when parking.

When I looked up, the same guy took my picture with a cell phone. Her event and this photo obviously made me wary. I got up to see why this was happening and 'asked' about the problem, and the guy snapped. Even after I went back to the table he continued to rant. You and I would have recognized the problem as "just another drunken townie." But, I was with my wife.

As he continued to rant, he told us of a vast conspiracy of stalkers in red cars who were constantly following him. He accused us as being one of these groups. Clearly, the guy was a schizophrenic either having a really bad day or off his meds. My posture and 'fight instinct' vanished, and while he demanded to see some ID, I refused but told him I would wait there while he got a policeman. He gathered up his wife and his dog and fled.

Naturally, some other patron called for a store manager, and one showed up in a few minutes. She informed us they were already sifting through surveillance footage to identify the guy, and the uncomfortable incident was over. Just to be safe, I asked if a sworn officer was stationed in the mall. She responded by saying that one of her baristas was a cop, working there part time. I asked to see him.

I laid down my permit and my photo ID, and told him I was in possession of a firearm. I also told him I had this permit for just a few days, and I was unclear of these "gray areas." He was a nice guy, told me he "thought" that only the confrontations where a firearm was produced needed formal notification--and I told him that the store might turn footage over to authorities. While skeptical, he gave me a 'CYA' number and told me to ask for a "21." I did so.

When that cop called me later, we went over the incident. He repeatedly stated firmly that no law had been breached. (BTW, he was the first officer I had met that gave me a decided specific answer.) He even stated my CYA action was unneeded.

To many of you who have been carrying concealed legally for years, you would most likely dismiss my concern. Two things. One, I live in the Peoples' Republik of Madison. Anything conservatives want is vilified by our locals. If the store presses the police to find this guy, I might be deposed.

Two, while speaking with a retired cop friend that night, he informed me that this "sorting out" period is pretty common for rookie cops and newly armed citizens. So many peole have been throwing rules, regs, scenarios and warnings at them that most guys don't know a clear course at first. He also added that my wife was there--and I definitely had to come up with the right answer when confronted.

With the new law, I told my wife last night that I did not want to be the "first guy voted off the island." She informed me that this dubious honor had already happened. Her mom told her that a newly minted permit holder had already shot a grocery store hold-up guy when he brandished a shotgun and confronted him and his pregnant wife.

Laugh if you will, but I'm not used to doing the right thing. I'm certainly not well versed in doing the right, legal and appropriate thing in gray areas. I'm sure this uncertain feeling will pass over time. But today, I'm a bit depressed.

Yesterday my wife and I again went to the same coffee bar. I have to admit, I wondered how the staff would treat me.

No sooner had we got there when one of the baristas came up to the table, babbling. Turns out that one of the other baristas had a birthday party and my wife and I were at the top of the gossip list. While (at least to me) there wasn't a lot of attention paid to the wingnut ranting and stomping around, the most common comment was, "I wonder if Chico is going to shoot him?" One girl, (now admitting that she was more scared than previously thought) added, "I wish he would have."

(Most of you who carry know that presenting and firing for this wingnut's action would never be permitted. In fact, it's openly forbidden at training classes. I never even unzipped the pocket.)

Just about then, a client of mine wandered in and sat with us, we see him there about once per month. Not knowing his feelings on Wisconsin's new provision, we said nothing. However he asked about my feelings on civilian possession, and I simply cupped a speed loader in my hand and surreptitiously showed him the opening of the hollow-points. He laughed, quickly made a furtive glace to his belt and smirked. Then he whispered, "I was the first one in line opening morning."

I voiced my concerns, told him that actually participating in my first "drunken townie" situation while armed made me feel "both ways." Glad to have the provision finally while cooler heads prevailed with a man obviously needing psychiatric attention, and then feeling strangely guilty. Since he had been a deployed Marine, he said he was not surprised.

A few minutes later I brought to his attention another patron entering the coffee bar. She was a young girl, perhaps mid to late twenties. I pointed out her rather small fanny back which was cutting into the back of her sweater, clearly holding "a lot of weight."

He wasn't really surprised about that either, but stated, "I think a lot of fanny packs are coming out of storage..."