CCW

Get it!

The Dove

Just do it.

Why not. Worst case you get the permit and never use it, yet you are included in the statistics as a law abiding gun owner with a permit.

It's not that much of a burden after you work out a good method of doing things. I hardly notice anymore.

If you are asking that question, then I'd have to say no. Carrying a firearm on your person all day everyday isn't a decision you make based on some internet drivel. That is big boy real world stuff you are committing to. If you need someone on here to talk you into carrying, then you'd be better off getting a good can of pepper spray, seriously.

Considering your skill level (based on your other posts) you might be better served to check your local indoor ranges (and some outdoor ones...) to see if they have a carry class. You can probably get more and better answers there, as well as learn stuff you don't know to ask.

TexasRifleman said:

Why not. Worst case you get the permit and never use it, yet you are included in the statistics as a law abiding gun owner with a permit.

It's not that much of a burden after you work out a good method of doing things. I hardly notice anymore.

Click to expand...

Yeah, get the permit. That isn't gonna hurt. But before you commit to carry, you should be a little more firm in your reasons why.

I carry all the time. I'd no less carry than I'd go to the store naked. But my wife? It took time for her to come around to it on her own, THEN she still needed the instruction.

I highly recommend some instruction for you by folks that know what they are doing.

It's a personal decision. Do you want to go through with paying for and licensing a constitutional right? Do you want to be a truly registered gun owner?

I did it, originally, to help swell the ranks of the officially armed, so all would get some idea of just how many of us there may be. That was in the dark days of the Ruby Ridge and Waco era when gun owners were painted in the media as dangerous "militia" members (the "M word" was everywhere). Some people avoid it so as to stay off the official roles. Then there is the risk factor of being unarmed because you don't want to be charged with a "gun crime". IIRC (I don't recall the exact sequence of events) Suzanna Hupp influenced my decision (she left her pistol in her vehicle when going into a restaurant so she wouldn't be breaking any laws, only to see her parents executed in front of her) as did my desire to be able to cart guns around without so much worry of carry and transport laws.

Again; it's purely personal and I wouldn't try to pressure anyone. Those are just my thoughts.

I used to know a fellow who had his CCW because exercising his rights was his way of voting.

I know others who would never carry a gun. They consider it unnecessary and want nothing to do with the criminal, civil and, possibly, psychological results of having to use it. Or worse, they fear having their CCW turned back on them.

My position is that if you carry you must get trained to use that gun as a purely defensive tool. You are responsible for knowing the laws regarding where and when you can carry. Know the laws regarding self defense in public and at home. Know your rights regarding search and seizure. You should know your surroundings and be accountable for your actions and conduct in every single interaction you have with another person.

You're right, getting a CCW is a big responsibility. It can be a burden. But it's also liberating. It's a form of voting with your actions. It's a chance to become an informed citizen. Don't forget, just because you have the license doesn't mean you have to carry. But it's nice to know you can if you want to.

I've been CCWing 24/7/365 for almost a dozen years. Get the permit then get a good carry rig and start carrying and soon you'll be so used to it that you won't find it any more a burden than wearing a wristwatch or carrying a cell phone. In fact much like a watch or cell phone I feel weird when I'm NOT carrying.

I got mine for two reasons.

1. To force the local authorities/state gov't to legally acknowledge my natural, God-given right.

2. To cover my butt for doing something I've been doing all my life anyway (see No. 1, above)

I got mine, going on two years ago now, been around firearms my entire life. I carry everywhere I go. If I can't carry there, I don't go there. Exception would be when I go back to the Sheriffs' office to renew my permit...

The wife will be taking her CCW class this spring. Over the past two years, we've been working a lot on her training, and I'm certain she'll be more than ready when the times come, and there's few people in this world that I'd rather have with me in a critical situation than her.

The main reason I carry is this: I read the papers, and I live within 20 minutes of east St. Louis...

Take a nice deep breath and relax. No need to worry about getting it. I got mine simply because I wanted more flexibility with my handguns. I can transport them without fear of breaking the law. I can also carry if I choose. It is like my driver's license. I can drive a car anytime I want but if I could I would ride my bike all the time. Why, because it is healthier and so much cheaper. But, I still have the license so I can maintain that ability. Good luck,
Mike

TexasRifleman said:

Why not. Worst case you get the permit and never use it, yet you are included in the statistics as a law abiding gun owner with a permit.

It's not that much of a burden after you work out a good method of doing things. I hardly notice anymore.

Click to expand...

Gotta love logic. Smart point, TR. And I agree; get it.

It may be intimidating at first but it really seems like more of a big deal than it actually is.

I was nervous when I first got mine but as others have mentioned don't even notice anymore and would feel naked without carrying.

Get it and do your Walmart walk and you'll feel better

I wrestled with it for a couple years as well.

#1. The Constitution is my Carry Permit.
--Until we start following The Constitution I will have to get a permit

#2. If or when they start confiscating guns will they hit permit holders first.
--Get over it, they can pry my guns "From my cold dead hands"

#3. Lawfully protect myself and not rely on the police, the government or anyone else (other permit holders) for my protection.
---Get the damn permit and quit worrying about #1 and #2.

So these were my 3 topics I wrestled with and over came in order to get my permit.

Hope this helps.

I have always heard it is better to have it and not need it than it is to need it and not have it. Besides even with the permit there is no law or requirement that you have to carry. The idea is that should you have an immediate need or simply want to you can do so legally. When you leave your home in order to go out of town who do you rely on for your and your family's protection, the police? You are the only one you can rely on for your family's protection. Police are rarely around when a crime occurs. They are reactive, after they get the call that something has happened somewhere. They normally are not there during the life threatening event but you are. Your family relys on you, can you let them down?

I'm not up on the laws of Ohio, but I assume a carry permit greatly reduced the number of 'i's and 't's you have to have dotted and crossed to legal take a handgun to the shooting range or to a friend's house, etc. (it sure does here in Minnesota) It's worth it just for that. Also probably gives you a fast-path process for approval when buying a new gun.

The good thing about getting a state issued permit is that the more people have them the less likely it becomes that will ever be revoked.

I would say get it. If you've already completed everything, why not? Like others have said even if you don't use it you'll still be exercising your right to have it.

On a separate note, I'm no lawyer and not qualified to give any legal advice, but I have always been under the assumption that if you had to use your weapon to defend your life, it has to be a plus to have something legally recognized by you state government that shows you've had some sort of basic training on your weapon and (at least in my state) had to pass a basic accuracy test. As simple as it is to pass those tests, I would think that would be something in your defense showing that you at least knew the basics.

I have read many times that when the legal side comes into play after a defensive shooting, the prosecution has a much easier time trying to prove negligence/accidental shooting versus actual self defense. Just food for thought. Good luck with your decision.

One more thought on this; in KY if you have a CCW permit, FFL dealers don't have to call in background checks when you purchase new firearms which saves a bit of time. I'm not sure about the laws in your state.

When you say, "burden" do you mean responsibility, physical burden of carrying, or something else?

I was not planning on ever carrying when I got mine. However, I thought if I ever had an immediate need for one I would not want to wait a couple of weeks to get one, I would need and want it then and there right now.

"When the time for action has come - The Time for preparation has past!"
Abraham Lincoln