Concealed carry FAQs

[mljdeckard]

I have decided to simplify my concealed carry class, by burning through the required law, and making most of the class a ppt I am putting together with a list of frequently asked questions and issues to address. This is what I have so far, what should I add?

What kind of gun should i carry? (Revolver v auto)

Which cartridge or caliber should I carry? (Or Not carry?)

Open carry, yes or no?

Should I keep it a secret?

Should my guns be locked up when not in use?

Hollow-points or FMJ?

Can I carry a .22?

Should I get a lawyer?

What are some cases of what happened when people were involved in shootings and what happened?

What should I do when I carry in a different state?

Where can I get additional training?

How good am I supposed to be before I carry?

Should I carry with a round chambered?

Where can I get more training?

What are some shooting drills I can practice to improve?

Should I modify a carry gun?

Should I use handloads?

Where can I learn more about the law?

What kinds of holsters are easiest to draw from and conceal best?

Is it ok to carry off-body?

Should I carry a spare magazine?

How should I deal with the cop if I get pulled over?


NOTE!! I am NOT seeking to argue about ANY of these points here (That's what other threads are for,) I am ONLY looking to see what I forgot.

What else should I add?

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

How 'bout some questions that some ladies seem concerned with:

What is the best way to carry a firearm as a woman?

Should a woman carry her firearm in her purse?

What options do women have for concealed carry for different types of outfits? (As in dress/skirt vs pants & blouse.)

What websites deal specifically with firearms and apparel related to women?

What firearms are more suitable for women? (Though the general rules apply for women as for men, some women seem stuck on there being a big difference.)

 

[beatledog7]

I would start with these one, or something akin to them:

- Why do I want to carry a firearm?

- Do I understand the responsibility that goes with carrying a firearm?

- What is "mindset," and what does "mindset, skillset, toolset, in that order" mean?

- Do I have the ability to discern when a situation is about to escalate, and do I have the wisdom to know what it takes to avoid the need for drawing a firearm in these situations?

- Am I truly prepared to take another person's life if I have no other options to save my own or that of someone with whom I'm in company?

You get the idea. Without a person's well reasoned and deeply contemplated answers to these questions, the answers to all your listed questions about carrying a firearm are unquestionably moot, since anyone who's not prepared to answer them undoubtedly should not carry a firearm at all.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

What is the definition of "deadly force" and when is it authorized?

What states will honor my CCW permit?

How do I look up my state's laws for CCW permits?

How do I look up other state laws which honor my CCW permit?

 

[mljdeckard]

A lot of that stuff is in the required curriculum, but yes, stuff along these lines

 

[MathurinKerbouchard]

Maybe the difference between force and violence?

 

[Fred Fuller]

What is situational awareness and why is it important?

How do criminals 'work' and how can I avoid being a victim of a crime?

How can I tell if an attack is about to happen/are there any pre-attack indicators I should be aware of?

What is a "monkey dance" and how do I avoid them?

etc.
=====

For possible discussion points see:

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/five_stages.html

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/criminalmindset.html

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/preattack.html

http://www.urbancombatives.com/sn.htm

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/ccm-columns/features/social-violence-the-monkey-dance/

etc.

 

[Librarian]

Warning shots.

If I draw, MUST I fire? SHOULD I?

What is 'brandishing'?

If I use my legally carried concealed weapon in self defense, whom should I call first?

How does one use a public restroom and maintain concealment?

 

[Kleanbore]

When is the presentation of a weapon lawfully justified?

 

[Tcruse]

What to say and not say to an 911 operator?
What to say to the police after they arrive on the scene?
What is a gun trust?
How often to I need to clean my carry gun?
How much should I shoot my carry gun before trusting it?
Should I practice with SD ammo or just the cheap stuff?
Should I disclose that I have a gun on me when a guest enters my home?
Should I disclose that I have a gun on me when I visit someone else's home?
Should I carry when doing routine things, like going to WalMart?

 

[mljdeckard]

Those are good ones librarian and Tcruse, however, I do have to be careful how I phrase advice like; "What do you say to a 911 operator?" because I want to avoid anything that sounds like the 'unlicensed practice of law'. I'm not sure if I will bother with gun trusts in a concealed class.

Kleanbore, that's all good, but it's stuff covered in the required text.

 

[JRs12Valve]

- Where can I carry?

- Where can't I carry?

 

[mljdeckard]

^^Those are the kinds of questions that are answered in the required curriculum.

 

[RBid]

Warning shots.

If I draw, MUST I fire? SHOULD I?

What is 'brandishing'?

If I use my legally carried concealed weapon in self defense, whom should I call first?

How does one use a public restroom and maintain concealment?

These, and...

I think every CCW class should really drive home the realities of what will happen to your body and technique in a real event. Tunnel vision, loss of auditory awareness, the accute clarity snapshot, forgetting the front sight, loss of fine motor skill, and other common elements. People need to understand these things instinctively, not just academically. They need to plan on these things happening, and train accordingly.

 

[mljdeckard]

I added a slide for warning/wounding shots. Trying to think of a way to talk about the things in post #14, my presentation already maxes out 4 hours.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Does your class have any range time involved?

It always amazes me how many people don't actually have much, if any, practical shooting experience with their weapon.

I'm not thinking about an actual "teaching course" on shooting, just a practical course of fire where they actually get to shoot their weapon. It can be very revealing to them.

 

[mljdeckard]

Nope. Not required by the state. I mostly teach guard members and their spouses, and I place the emphasis that this course is not, nor is it intended to be, comprehensive handgun training.

I spend all the time I can teaching people to shoot, but if someone wants more instruction, I will probably refer them to an NRA basic pistol course.

 

[Mastershroom]

In Ohio, the NRA basic pistol course IS the required class for the CCW license. I took it at the beginning of June. It's 10 hours of classroom time and 2 hours actual range practice. Unfortunately, the first available appointment to apply was at the end of August. Good thing those competency certificates are valid for three years.