[nwilliams]

I was thinking about this today.

Seems like there are many ways to describe the permit to carry a concealed weapon. Is there any particular reason to use one over another? I know individual States have their own terms but it all means the same thing in the end right?

Concealed Carry Permit or License (CCP, CCL)
Concealed Weapons Permit or License (CWP, CWL)
Concealed Carry Weapon license or Permit (CCWL, CCWP)
Concealed Deadly Weapon license (CDWL)
License To Carry (Firearms) (LTC/LTCF)
Concealed Handgun Permit or License (CHP, CHL)

I'm probably missing a few but you get the idea.

What's you preference or do you just go with whatever sounds good?

As for me I like Concealed Carry License so I usually say or write CCL.

[mljdeckard]

CCW is the most universally recognized and understood.

In Utah, it's a CFP, but this name is misleading, because in Utah your permit allows you to carry pretty much any deadly weapon you are legally allowed to possess. (Knives, stun guns, blackjacks, etc.)

[AJChenMPH]

CCW is the most universally recognized and understood.
+1

Although, since I'm moving to PA and routinely surf the PAFOA forums, I will use LTCF if I'm referring specifically to any PA CCW issues. If I happen to know another state's specific term, I'll try to use it. For me, it's simply a matter of respecting how the state has decided to refer to their permit.

[tango3065]

In Kentucky it is called a (CCDW) and allows concealed carry of any deadly weapon from brass knucks to batons :neener:. Here is what it states -


The term includes items such as handguns and other firearms, knives (other than ordinary pocket and hunting knives), police batons, clubs, blackjacks, slapjacks, nunchaku karate sticks, shurikens or death stars, and artificial knuckles made from hard materials. For the actual language of the law, see KRS 500.080.

[shotgunjoel]

The term includes items such as handguns and other firearms
AWESOME, so you could like carry a rifle? Kel Tec SU-16C?

death stars
Carrying death stars, wow, that's just awesome that they wrote that into the law.

[Eightball]

"Concealed Carry(ing) (a) Weapon"=CCW, it's what you're doing.

What your license is called varies by state.

[bensdad]

In MN, it's a PTC (permit to carry). We don't have to conceal.

[c919]

It really depends on the state you live in and the terminology that state uses to describe the permit that they issue.

CCW is pretty universally understood as the correct nomenclature, however that doesn't mean the others are incorrect.

[anewconvert]

NC it is a CHL. In otherwords it does not give you the right to carry anything but a handgun concealed. Not a knife, rifle, shotgun, baton, brass knuckles etc. As opposed to a concealed weapons permit that would imply the others are legal to carry

BC

[gglass]

I usually depends on what your state calls your license or permit. Here in Indiana, it is called a License To Carry Handgun (LTCH). This license does not specify whether you carry your handgun Open or Concealed... The manner of carry is up to the carrier.

[bri]

In MN, it's a PTC (permit to carry). We don't have to conceal.
We're also not limited to handguns. Although, my permit to carry instructor recommended against going to the grocery store and throwing the 870 in a side-saddle on the shopping cart...

[funkychinaman]

Hey, AJChenMPH, as a fellow Central Jersey expat, welcome to PA! The gun laws in this state are mindblowing compared to the crap we had to put up with in NJ.

[AirForceShooter]

Depends on the State that issued it.

In Florida it's a "Concealed Weapons or Firearms License".
It covers my guns and my switchblade.

AFS

[jackstinson]

"Ohio License to Carry a Concealed Handgun" = OLTCACH
Nothing other than a handgun...no rifles, no spears, no brass knuckles....

Does Darth Vader carry a concealed DEATH STAR?

[Pistol Toter]

In Tennessee it is called a: "HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT" OR "HCP", both of those designations are on the face of the card which looks simuliar to a driver license.

[Ben86]

Do you have a license to carry that death star? LOL! I love it.

It depends on the state vernacular. In MS it is simply called a Firearms Permit. But it is not needed to actually own a firearm, just carry one concealed or open. You need a concealed carry permit to open carry? Yes, our law unfortunately considers a holster to be partial concealment. That's so lame.

I think it should be universaly called a CCP (concealed carry permit).

[MICHAEL T]

Love the freedom to carry what I want in Ky Be it pistol, Bowie, or concealed shot gun ( meeting all legal requirements of course )
This might have came from the old saying That a gentleman in Ky . Wasn't properly dressed Till he was wearing a pistol and a Bowie knife

[CWL]

For some reason, I prefer "CWL"

[Gryffydd]

In Washington it's a CPL-Concealed Pistol License.
Open carry does not require a license (unless you get in a vehicle...)

I was in Sportsmans Warehouse (Wholesale Sports, actually), the other day and the lady at the gun counter kept calling it "Concealed" as in "If you have your Concealed you can take the gun with you today" "You can get your Concealed from your local law enforcement..." I wanted to smack her.

[owen]

depends on the state...

[OurSafeHome.net]

Do you have a license to carry that death star?

Light Sabre Carry Modes:

Condition 3: Battery inserted, master switch off, activation switch "on"
Condition 2: Battery inserted, master switch off, activation switch "on"
Condition 1: Battery inserted, master switch on, activation switch to "stand by"

Condition 1 carry was taught by the Jedi Master Coop-Jeff from the planet PrecotAz.

Of course, some Jedi have gone over to the Dark Side and now preach the heretical light saber carry modes listed below:
Condition 0: Battery inserted, master switch on, activation switch "on"
Condition 4: Battery removed, master switch off, activation switch "off"

[wgsigs]

I've never thought of CCW as a term describing the PERMIT to carry a gun, but rather the gun itself, which you are allowed to carry with a CHL (in Texas). :)

[Crawford]

Here in West Virginia it is called a Concealed Pistol/Revolver License. From the title, you are only licensed to carry a (apparently on one) concealed pistol or a concealed revolver.

No license is necessary to visibly carry a handgun if the person may lawfully possess a firearm. The West Virginia State Police strongly recommend that if one does not have a
concealed handgun permit, all weapons transported in a motor vehicle should
be unloaded with the ammunition stored separately.

[makarovnik]

Around here it's called a CPL.

[Vern Humphrey]

In Arkansas it's a Concealed Handgun License. There is no law against carrying a concealed or unconcealed knife -- as long is it is not carried with intent to use as a weapon.

[metallic]

It's called a CHP here in Louisiana.

[hirundo82]

As has been said, the correct term varies by state.

I use CCW as the generic term as it seems to be the most understood, and call it a CHL if I'm referring to Texas specifically.

[KSCCHTrainer]

In Kansas, it's called a CCL (Concealed Carry License) on the actual license, but the state law as written, calls it CCH (Concealed Carry, Handgun) and means just that. Handgun only (no specified type or caliber), no knives, SBR's SBShotguns under a trench coat etc., just handguns, period. An AR-15 or AK-47 with the short barrel and no stock that's classified and marked as a pistol might be legal, but I don't think I'd want to try carrying one concealed - :evil: the local LEO's would probably have a hissy fit at first until they figured it out. Difficult to conceal under normal clothing in a position to be able to use it quickly anyway.

In qualification, the only requirement is that you qualify with a handgun. Again, no specific type or caliber unlike some states that require you to qualify with the gun you are going to carry or specify that if you qualify with a revolver you can only carry a revolver etc.

[Mr.510]

In Washington the license used to be called a Concealed Weapons Permit. Apparently there were some misunderstandings about what you were allowed to carry concealed. (It only allowed the carry of concealed handguns.) For the sake of clarity they renamed it a Concealed Pistol License.... but revolvers are OK too. :banghead: I think of a "CCW" as a Concealed Carry Weapon. The other common acronyms generally refer to either the permit to carry a CCW or a government agency that would prefer you didn't.

[usp9]

HG.

It should be called HG, for Hidden Gat. :D


Virginia issues a Concealed Handgun Permit = CHP

[kda]

CCW = Carry Concealed Weapon.

CCW Permit = Carry Concealed Weapon Permit

At least in AZ it is that way. CCW Permit would seem to work in most situations although what is allowed as a "weapon" will vary from state to state. So I vote with the majority that CCW is easy and seems to cover what is going on for most of us while still allowing states to define the actual weapons to suit local law.

Just MHO

[DFW1911]

I've never thought of CCW as a term describing the PERMIT to carry a gun, but rather the gun itself, which you are allowed to carry with a CHL (in Texas).

+1

I'm CHL and I CCW a Sig P250.

Hope that helps!

[stanmo]

Concealed
Pistol
License

In Michigan

I think CCW is something you get arrested for.

[colorado_handgunner]

Carrying death stars

What kind of hollster do you use for something that large? Must be some Sith made special hollster! :D

[Tinpig]

In Massachusetts you get a "License to Carry Firearms" (LTC-A) for concealed handgun carry. No open carry.

Tinpig

[rondog]

My CO permit says Concealed Weapon Permit, so I say CWP. But that's what it says, "weapon". It doesn't specifically say gun, or handgun, or pistol, and no specific guns are registered to it, so I'm not really positive just what KIND of weapon(s) it "permits" me to carry. I prefer ones that go "bang", though.

[Cosmoline]

CCW can also refer to the weapon or the act of concealing it, not just the license. So I suppose the butter is spread a bit thin. I think we're stuck with it though.

[gyvel]

AZ is "CCW," but I always felt "CWP" was more to the point and less confusing. Also, in AZ (at least the last time I took the class), it was legal to carry ANY legal weapon concealed, which means that, if you put on your duster, I suppose you could walk around with your M-60.:D

[AJChenMPH]

Hey, AJChenMPH, as a fellow Central Jersey expat, welcome to PA! The gun laws in this state are mindblowing compared to the crap we had to put up with in NJ.
Thanks! I haven't even moved yet and I'm already blown away...although it's been making the planning fun on what gun to get next. Then again, my wallet is starting to cry uncle and I haven't even spent a cent!

And funny enough, I'll also be moving to Bucks County. :)

[Craig_VA]

Virginia calls it a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) - mostly; a few counties give it variant names. The important point is that it covers only a handgun, and no other form of weapon, like knives, chemical sprays, nunchucks, throwing stars, brass knuckles, blackjacks, etc. From the replies in this thread, you can tell there are two things to consider... Do you need to be precise on a formal name? If so, check which state you are in and use their name. Do you want to communicate the concept in discussions with gun owners, like on this forum? Then CCW seems the most widely used and understood