conceal carry. why should i get a permit?

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Why? Why not?

For me it's a no brainer. Having one could mean the difference in you being seen as a law abiding citizen or a gun toting thug if you ever have the unfortunate experience of ever having to use your handgun for self defense.

The treament you recieve on scene could make up for the minor inconvenience of giving up a day to take the course.

People who have one in Ohio must go through a background check. As a result they are generally seen as upstanding citizens by the majority of the LE community.
 
It depends:

  • Is there violent crime where you live or anywhere you go?
  • If there's no violent crime where you live, will that always be the case?
  • Do you question whether the police can protect individuals?
  • If you can't guarantee that criminals will avoid you and the police will protect you, would you prefer to defend yourself than to meekly submit, hoping that they will only take your belongings?
If so, you might want to think about getting your concealed carry credential.
 
As a citizen of Ky. let me add my voice to the chorus of those who are saying get the permit. It is not a difficult process and it allows you the peace of mind of knowing what you can and cannot do in the every day carrying of a weapon. You also will have the opportunity to learn and think about the laws regarding the use of force in the event you ever need to defend yourself.
 
...also consider the reciprocity agreements your state has with other states. My NC CCW for example gives me the right to carry concealed in 32+ states at the current moment. I can OC in NC but if I cross into SC that is not permitted. Instead I carry concealed and can drive across a lot of different state lines doing so.

OC/CCW can be argued like religion and will be, one thing with CCW I do not have to worry about is some nimrod going berserk and calling the cops about "a man with a gun". In NC in particular, we have another law "Going armed to the terror of the public" that can be applied and IS applied very loosely to just about any situation involving a guy with a firearm. While I very much support my brothers in arms who OC and their right to do so, it is not something for me. Also with the CCW I am covered no matter how I carry in NC.
 
On top of which , a lawyer is going to cost you a lot more than a permit, and an arrest is going to put you on a lot more "lists". Thank God we are finally making progress on this, issue, abide by the laws and the few other states that still live in the dark ages may actually be able to become a part of the rest of the country.Support your local grass roots gun ownwers associations, and let's get everyone the right to carry.
 
I've been a concealed permit holder for about 2 years and I carry daily. CC allows you to have a defensive weapon with you at all times without raising the concerns of LEO's or clueless civilians.

Even though I can legally open carry where I live, I don't want to be noticed and I don't want to have any unnecessary discussions with LEOs, store managers, freaked-out soccer moms, etc. Regardless of whether or not it's my right, I prefer to keep it discreet. I carry in supermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops, kids sporting events, wherever, and it's never an issue because no one is aware of it except me.

Plus, you will learn a lot in a concealed carry class. You will learn about your state's deadly force laws and if you have a good instructor, you will also learn about drawing, re-holstering, etc.

It is absolutely worth the time and expense. Plus, if you are ever in a defensive shooting situation, you can prove that you have some level of training.
 
Rationale for concealed carry permit in my state-TN

I'm not in KY. KY is certainly more liberal in terms of carrying a firearm based on what I know. I chose to get the permit in my state because of a number of reasons which may or may not apply to your situation.

(1) I can carry a loaded handgun in my vehicle.
(2) I can carry a loaded handgun on my person when I choose.
(3) I can carry a loaded handgun in many states with reciprocity with TN. This is I believe 35 states last time I looked.
(4) I do not need to worry about whether a firearm becomes exposed.
(5) Open carry is not legal in my state unless you have a concealed carry permit (handgun carry permit). But I would not choose this option other than in the woods.

The vehicle item is very important to me. In my state, if I have a loaded handgun in my vehicle and I'm stopped for any reason and the officer sees the weapon or chooses to look for a weapon, my goose is cooked without the permit. I would loose my gun rights if successfully prosecuted. So, why take the chance? Why put myself in a position where I would have to spend thousands of dollars to defend myself when I can just get the permit and be done with it?
 
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Very intelligent and well expressed post, Gouranga. If I may, though, nitpic one small item....

My NC CCW for example gives me the right to carry concealed in 32+ states at the current moment.
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Does the CCW permit actually give you the right? Or does it give you permission to exercise that right? Is it really a right if one must obtain the government's permission to do something?

My personal thought, and why it is such a big deal to me, is that if we, as a gun community, are so free to consider it our "right" to carry a gun by having to obtain government permission to do so we are conceding to the anti-gun groups. I think that tends to send the message to them that it is OK to regulate an American's ability to defend themselves against crime. Arizona, Vermont and Alaska are true examples of the "right" to carry a firearm. The other states are extending to us a privilege based upon our paying them for their permision to exercise that privilege.
 
I do not have to worry about is some nimrod going berserk and calling the cops about "a man with a gun".

Exactly! Perfectly said.
 
I can't count the times I've heard or read, "but we live in a nice area... we never thought that could happen here!" We carry to be prepared for an event that we hope will never happen. If there was some way to know when it was going to happen and only carry on that day, then we could just stay home and avoid the situation altogether. I carry every day, not because I live in fear, but because I live in reality.
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Well put. I thought I lived in a crime free area. I thought that due to a somewhat wild youth I knew what was going on around me. Then I got first hand experience working with gangs and delinquent youths in the court system. I can honestly say it was a life changing experience. My girlfriend at the time was going to law school. She was very hardcore left wing and very anti gun...don't ask me how we ever got along. Well, after a year of this exposure, coming home everyday crying, and a 12 year old (convicted on 2 rape charges) stalked her menacingly in the parking lot...she obtained a concealed carry and changed her entire political mindset. She stopped pursuing a career defending young kids and focused her attention to becoming an ADA. Nowhere is safe, trouble is always just around the corner or a few miles down the street whether we allow ourselves to see it or not.

Does the CCW permit actually give you the right? Or does it give you permission to exercise that right? Is it really a right if one must obtain the government's permission to do something?
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. But times are different these days, the world is different and it is what it is. I have to get that silly piece of paper that gives me permission to exercise my right. Is it right to force me to jump through hoops and pay to exercise my rights? Heck no. But I feel that carrying is essential to my family's health and well being...just in case I should ever need it and I truly hope I never will. I gotta do what I gotta do. That "Going armed to the terror of the public" could potentially cause trouble and unnecessary legal expenses if one find's oneself in a bad situation and a judge/da/sheriff or whoever that is anti-gun and wants to prosecute for whatever reason. Personally, most days I'd rather just ccw and live by the "don't ask don't tell" creedo. Sometimes I do OC, but it is very rare. I also fully support OC'ers and I feel that OC'ing is a very important role in the RKBA struggle. I should do it more often, but the increasing urban sprawl has put many people in rural areas that can and do call 911 when they see "a man with a gun." It happened to me with an ex-girlfriend. Luckily the responding officer was very nice and very pro-gun. Had the officer been a rookie, that "Going armed to the terror of the public" clause could have played in. Would it stick? Probably not...but I'd rather avoid the legal hassle.
 
Do independent research. This forum is obviously biased towards.

If you don't feel you'd get any benefit from it, don't get one. If you'd like the ability to carry concealed, get one. I carry from time to time because I want to. Not because I feel the need to.

Don't let someone else tell you how to live your life.
 
but i can carry without one as long as its visable? atleast according to him
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That's your first mistake.

Try getting information from a trusted source that you know dispenses accurate information. Too many read something on the internet and take it as fact. Bad mistake that could end up as a costly one.
 
It was mentioned once before but, with your permit, you'll be able to lawfully carry in a majority of states.

Get your permit and the peace of mind that comes with it.
 
Hartmen watch out with open carry. I would look in to it in depth. Just because it is technically legal doesn't mean it is hassle free.

There was a group of five guys cited with "disorderly conduct" in Madisson WI. They were violating no city or state law by carrying openly. However, some one called the cops because they saw five armed men entering an eatery. Because their behavior caused a "disturbance" they were cited.

They can probably get out of it. The question is could you afford the lawyer's fees and the missed time at work? It could easily cost these guys hundreds or thousands of dollars. If they just pay off the ticket they get a fresh new criminal record that can effect their lives from now on.

Just because open carry is legal doesn't mean you won't be fighting for the right on a regular basis.

I'm not saying that you should go either way. I'm just giving a little more info to think about.

In NC we have open carry that is regulated on a city by city and county by county basis. So the form of carry allowed in Durham is not the same as Chapel Hill and may be very different in Ashville or Manteo. If that is the case in KY a CCH permit could definitely be worth the time.
 
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It was mentioned once before but, with your permit, you'll be able to lawfully carry in a majority of states.
Click to expand...

I agree. When vacationing out of state with my family, some states don't allow open carry but do offer reciprocity for my concealed carry permit. That is a very big plus for me.

In NC we have open carry that is regulated on a city by city and county by county basis. So the form of carry allowed in Durham is not the same as Chapel Hill and may be very different in Ashville or Manteo. If that is the case in KY a CCH permit could definitely be worth the time.
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I live in NC and that played a big part in my obtaining a concealed handgun permit. I work in the triangle from time to time and if I'm not mistaken, I can't open carry in Cary. Not a big fan of that town. They revoke your right to carry concealed or otherwise in many areas...including sidewalks.
 
I got my CCW originally with no intent to use it. I just figured if I ever did need it I would not want to be waiting weeks to get it, I would need it now. It seemed a good idea to go ahead and get it.
 
i read up on one of the links posted about my state and already learnt something. i can carry a gun in my car as long as its visable or in the glove box.


im leaning towards getting one now. there was recently a double homicide in my community. plus what everyone mentioned about legal matters is very interesting if something was to happen.

plus i may learn something or alot! from the classes.
 
Does the CCW permit actually give you the right? Or does it give you permission to exercise that right? Is it really a right if one must obtain the government's permission to do something?
Click to expand...

NavyLT, nitpick away. the sad state of affairs in this country is it gives me the ability to carry concealed legally. Bearing arms is of course a right in the Constitution. However, there are more than a few states where exercising that right is illegal, or extremely limited. In most states it is in fact limited in some manner.

So in my opinion, it is a right we have lost. One we need to get back desperately. WE lost it because we as a people allowed it to be taken from us. I understand the concept of this being a right, but for me personally, the fact that in many areas it no longer is a effective right you can exercise without arrest, makes the battle to restore it that much more important.
 
Open carry can sometimes attract attention from those that want your gun. It can also result in you being first target in the event of a planned robbery/hostage situation.

OC is nice, but it's only going to really work in a world where most of the populace carries already, thus the SOP is everyone is armed.

The real benefit of CC is the concealed part. People treat you normally instead of reacting however they would if they knew you were armed.

Another benefit to the permit is being able to carry protection in other states that may not be OC friendly (reciprocity).

I'd get it just for the reciprocity perspective alone. In my area I no longer have a 3-day waiting period on firearm purcahses either (law in this and the neighboring counties, 3-day wait on all firearm sales except for CWP holders).
 
lots of states allow open carry (most LEO's don't know it),also allow concelled carry with a permit. if you are packing your BBQ gun on your hip at your local park,climb in your car and now you are a concelled carrier,you need the permit. riding around with your 1911 flopping around on your dash not really a good idea....jwr
 
Why should you get one? Dunno. I can only tell you why I got one.

I don't live or work in a bad neighborhood. I don't ever have to even go into a bad neighborhood. Never find myself out late at night. I'm not too worried about defense of myself or others much at all. I got one because I like guns, and like being around them. What better way than to carry one with you. Since getting it, I have found that I like getting training as well.
 
I started to carry when it became legal in FL. That would be around 25+ years now. Never had to pull a handgun. Hope to never need to but i have it if I do.
 
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