You and I sound quite similar. I am not an NRA member and haven't had their koolaid, but I am a qualified CCP holder, a gun collector and love to target shoot anytime I get the opportunity. I also promote the safe handling and use of firearms by law-abiding citizens and especially with women these days. I personally do not regularly carry a concealed weapon on my person and don't feel the need to. I do travel with one neatly and conveniently tucked away. My evening jaunts passing the "crime-free" downtown alleys will find me well prepared as well.
I don't have a need to carry a weapon into a restaurant here albeit Durham was quite different and somewhat necessary. I'm just not worried about it here. Money in restaraunts? Yeah, there's a little, but liquor stores, and banks have much more! We can't carry one in those places, it's illegal, except for the one's that don't care...the criminals!