Carry Permits or Concealed Carry Permits

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Shawnee

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Hi Y'All...

Haven't been attentive to the fine points of "Carry Permits" or "Concealed Carry Permits" so have probably a very basic question.

What is the general rule with such permits?

If I have one of these permits am I allowed to carry the firearm openly or concealed, or must I carry it concealed.

I'm sure there are differences among the states but is there a general rule or common interpretation? :confused:

Many thanks, All :D
 
I'm not sure...

...if you're in an open carry state but I think that all states consider "open carry" to be "in full view" not just a back strap or something like that. Concealed means nothing showing at all, not even printing in some states. You would really have to check for the specific state.
Try these websites:
http://ccwhen.com/
http://www.ohioccw.org/
G'luck!
 
In NJ it's a carry permit, but if you carry in the open unless you're in the uniform of a security guard etc. you probably won't have your permit too long.

I can understand why one would be interested in states that allow open carry without a permit but why would anyone want to carry openly if they can conceal it?
 
Depends from state to state. Hopefully someone from Ohio can answer for you specifically.

Here in MA you can carry open or concealed but open is heavily discouraged as people here will wet themselves and call the cops in a heartbeat at the site of gun metal. And the cops get sick of answering "man with a gun" calls everywhere you go. The nice thing about both being legal is that if you reach for your wallet or into a pocket and someone gets a glimpse you aren't in violation of anything. I notice that I can pick out many people carrying as they move around and they print through a shirt. Makes me wonder how many people are carrying that I don't notice.
 
For the most part those terms are used interchangeably to mean "concealed carry".

Here in California, the conditions of my permit specifically require me to keep my handguns "concealed".
 
People may not neccessarily want to carry openly, but open carry should be legal in case they do so. For example Texas and Florida pretty much outlaw open carry of a handgun. If a person's cover garment blows open or their weapon is otherwise accidentally seen, the carrier may have commited a crime. If such a thing were to happen in Virginia where open carry is legal, it's no big deal.

Also, I think open carry allows for a more comfortable mode of carry, enables a more effective pistol to be carried, and it's good for the public to see normal people exercising their rights.
 
GRIZ22 said:
I can understand why one would be interested in states that allow open carry without a permit but why would anyone want to carry openly if they can conceal it?
Click to expand...

Why would anyone want to conceal if they can openly carry? What happened to the mindset of this country that all guns are evil and gun owners themselves are bad people?

Matt
 
Griz, usually comfort. Where I live the weather can make dramatic changes. If I hop out of the car to get gas or run into the drugstore for toothpaste, I may not feel like putting on my jacket. Since I carry IWB, most people have no idea that I do have a pistol on and think that my extra mags are a cell phone.:D I think it's a good idea for people to see someone carrying a pistol and that it is no big deal, i.e. I shouldn't slink about exercising my rights.

Shawnee, no, no common rule. There are categories that you can break the states into and you will often see cites to KIRK'S FIRST LAW OF THE INTERNET (if it is the law in Texas, it is the law everywhere).

However, each state is different and you have to know the battlefield. Do you have a question about a specific state?

matt, welcome to THR!:)
 
Quote:

Why would anyone want to conceal if they can openly carry? What happened to the mindset of this country that all guns are evil and gun owners themselves are bad people?

I am not saying all guns are evil and gun owners are bad. If you think you are going to change people's minds on guns by carrying openly I think you're fooling yourself. Just read posts from members of this forum from Virginia where open carry is legal. No problem if you're in the country where the sight of open carry is common. Do it in Arlington or Richmond and you're likely to get stopped by the police. If you have a carry permit that allows you to conceal it why not?

Nothing wrong with open carry but if you're doing it just to get attention I think you're wrong. That doesn't mean not to open carry in a state that's legal to do so.
 
El Tejon, I understand what you're saying. I was wearing a shoulder holster and went for a haircut. Pistol on one side mags on the other. After a while the barber asked me what kind of brace that was referring to my shoulder holster.

I am not aware of the law in all states but some post worries about be arrested for brandishing if their gun shows accidentally. If the law in your state does say you'll be arrested if anyone even sees your gun I think you should be writing your legislators.

By the way, I've noticed many people carrying in Indiana when transiting the state. Never bothered me.
 
Many thanks, Folks !!

My thinking about carrying openly was that it would be easier and more comfortable to carry a firearm that would be more likely to be effective.
The need to conceal in maybe many cases might well limit one to a firearm of marginal effectiveness.

I would not be surprised if the sight of my Super Blackhawk would, in many places, bring unwanted (and undeserved) harrassment. In fact,sooner or later one could probably expect some twit to try to provoke a motion they could then claim they "felt threatned by", just to see if they could get you in trouble. And I'm absolutely certain there is no shortage of police officers who would try to cause trouble for you even if you were completely legal.

One thing I don't really understand is how the Law allows businesses etc. to prohibit legal carry on their premises. I am a big fan of private property rights but that seems like the Constitution is now Null & Void on private property.

I remember a news item from last Spring about a Cleveland woman who ran to the corner convenience store to get breakfast cereal or somthing at about 10pm. She walked in and about 5 minutes later was shot by a robber already in the store. Can't help but think if she had been wearing a Super Blackhawk in plain sight the evening would have likely turned out quite different.
 
Open carry...

...would stop alot of crimes, but for some reason people just dont get that. Aside from the movies, how many stores do you think got held up in the "wild west?" Probably not many. I'd have to be an idiot to hold up a store knowing that the owner and everyone else in the store is packing a .45.

My 0.02
 
Sniper I agree with you although it also tells the BG he better be armed too.

After FL passed its CCW law tourists were getting carjacked and murdered in 1995. This resulted ion FL paying armed security in rest areas on the interstate and other places. They were jacking cars with Z tags (all rentals tags started with Z). The BGs figured tourists were not likely to be carrying.

If I were a BG my worry would be in right to carry states (FL, PA, GA, TX, AZ, and others) as I wouldn't know who was carrying. In NY, NJ, MA I know most people aren't carrying.

I agree with you though Sniper it's probably six of one half a dozen of another when it comes to crime prevention.
 
Griz, I personally open carry in Arlington county pretty regularly and I have open carried in Richmond. Never had a problem in either place or any other area. I've open carried around police as well. Most people don't notice or don't seem to care if they do see it. It might not change many minds but I have had the opportunity to tell people about the legality of open carry. They may not carry themselves the next day but at least they learned about their rights.

Most of the people I know who open carry do so because in Virginia it is illegal to conceal carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol, but open carry is legal. So many of us choose to open carry to remain armed and within the law. It's being practiced more and more in the last 2 years and the police in most places have learned that its legal. Many of us have also discovered it's no big deal to open carry, and just go on our business as normal.
 
GRIZ22 said:
Nothing wrong with open carry but if you're doing it just to get attention I think you're wrong. That doesn't mean not to open carry in a state that's legal to do so.
Click to expand...

No, I don't do it strictly to get attention. But sometimes, yes, I'll admit it, I want someone to ask me about it. Therefore, I can inform them of the firearm laws for this state, which they may not have known.

I'm not against CC by any means, I just think open carry is better.

Matt
 
In GA I've heard...

... that it is legal but cops will still mess with you in the city because its "frowned uppon". Since I live in Atlanta I'm always worried that some self important cop (not bashing all cops) will stop me and mess with me a little. Not sure how they would go about doing that, but I'm sure they can find a way.
 
IMHO concealed carry is far better than open carry.

Open carry draws attention, scares many people, and can result in calls to the police with resulting inconvenient reactions. It can also make you a target for somone who wants your gun. Also, the bad guys, who most likely will carry concealed, have a better chance to get the drop on you.:banghead:

Concealed carry doesn't attract attention, result in inconvenient dealings with called police, and allows you more options for action if there is trouble where you need it...i.e., you have a better chance of getting the drop on the bad guy. :scrutiny:
 
Its kinda a 50/50

Like I said in a earlier post open carry wards off attackers. On the other hand: As I learned from my mentor an IDF SF Officer, "If they see you have a gun, they're gonna shoot you first." He always carries IWB as do I.
 
Quote:

Griz, I personally open carry in Arlington county pretty regularly and I have open carried in Richmond. Never had a problem in either place or any other area. I've open carried around police as well. Most people don't notice or don't seem to care if they do see it. It might not change many minds but I have had the opportunity to tell people about the legality of open carry. They may not carry themselves the next day but at least they learned about their rights.

Longwatch, too bad it can't be the same way everywhere.

When I lived in arizona (before CCW) I used to see all kinds of people open carry. Maybe not so much in Phoenix or Tucson but not uncommon there either.
 
GRIZ22 said:
I am not aware of the law in all states but some post worries about be arrested for brandishing if their gun shows accidentally. If the law in your state does say you'll be arrested if anyone even sees your gun I think you should be writing your legislators.
Click to expand...
As previously commented, it all depends on the state.

I have the misfortune to live in one of those benighted states where the cops and the prosecutors can't even read the laws, and you can't trust the judges to get it right, either. In my state we need a permit to carry ... at all. But the permit is just to carry a handgun. Doesn't say a single word about "concealed." Neither does the state law under which the permits are issued.

But the state police make it very clear that you WILL be arrested if you carry openly.
 
haven't been attentive to the fine points of "Carry Permits" or "Concealed Carry Permits" so have probably a very basic question.

What is the general rule with such permits?

If I have one of these permits am I allowed to carry the firearm openly or concealed, or must I carry it concealed.
Click to expand...

Shawnee: In Ohio, open carry has been legal for 200 years, but is not a common or sensible practice. Although legal, if you chose to do it, there is nothing stopping someone from calling in "a man with gun". You can be charged with inducing panic in Ohio.:mad:

We have licences' here in Ohio. They are called Concealed Handgun Licenses. CHL's for short. So far, we don't have the insanity of some states that the gun MUST be concealed at all times or you would be in violation. I'm quite sure that was an oversight when our original law passed 3 years ago. Shhhh...,don't tell anyone. But that's not to say that you can open carry under a CHL. Our licenses are specifically "concealed" "handgun" licenses.

I am of the opinion that if you have a CHL, keep your mouth shut and don't announce it to the world. Thus, don't open carry. Why would you want to remove your element of surprise if you ever did need to defend yourself?

Shawnee, you also mentioned that you thought it would be easier and more comfortable to open carry. Truly, once you have gotten used to carrying concealed, (and found the right holster) you can go about your day and not give it another thought. It's as natural as putting on your wristwatch in the morning.

If you are in central Ohio, I instruct CCW classes every month!:)
 
Many, many thanks All!

Every couple years I have "sniffed" at the "carry permit" rules to see if they would really provide a benefit to me that I need and don't have without one of the permits. So far, and in the context of the life I lead, the carry permits are essentially worthless. In fact, they are really nothing but gun registration - in the context of my life.

I'm sure some people have different life situations such that they do, indeed, receive a significant benefit from having the carry permit, and I'm glad it is available to folks in such circumstances. Won't surprise any of you that I'm also very glad I have no likely need to carry a weapon for defensive purposes. I wish everyone were so fortunate.

Again, many, many thanks for all the info and opinion and input of all manner. :) Hope everyone had a great holiday!
 
So far, and in the context of the life I lead, the carry permits are essentially worthless. In fact, they are really nothing but gun registration - in the context of my life.
Click to expand...
Won't surprise any of you that I'm also very glad I have no likely need to carry a weapon for defensive purposes. I wish everyone were so fortunate
Click to expand...

That is the misconception that it is gun registration. In Ohio there is NO gun registration involved with CCW. They could care less which handgun you carry.

WOW, I want to come live in your Utopia! Safe from the hazards of the outside world. You are only fooling yourself. The rest of us have learned to live in condition yellow!

My Mom lived in Utopia once in rural Ohio America. Her Utopia was burst the day she was raped in the privacy of her own home. Yes, it can happen ANYWHERE! Even in Utopia!
 
Hi Linda...

I just moved here (last Sept.) from Florida and when the Florida permits first came out we were told we had to identify a specific gun/ser. num. to match the permit. I didn't bother even there - just took "appropriate measures" to assure my safety if I feklt the need.
I live alone in the country and to the best of my knowledge I do not need a carry permit to have or use guns at my home so, in the rather unlikely event that Laura Croft breaks in to assault me, I think I'm fairly well prepared. Seriously, I understand the concerns about things like your Mom's situation but that is an unlikely element of my scene.
I do thank you for your input. :)
 
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