Is a concealed carry permit worth it ?

[mljdeckard]

In Utah, they only know if you're a permit holder when they run your license, not your plate. And Utah just dropped the "must inform" statute, so we don't have to tell them if we don't want to.

I've gotten out of a lot of tickets because of cops who were more interested in my gun than my driving.

Keep in mind, every traffic stop is an opportunity to get a bigger arrest. Smell of alcohol, pop up on a warrant, things like this. The more people police pull over, the more likely they are to happen across a collar. When they see your permit, they know that they probably aren't going to have any more fun with you that night, so they let you go and keep looking.

 

[Yo Mama]

I love how everyone but myself has gotten out of a ticket with a CCW. When I got pulled over last time, Officer looks at it, and says nice sub-compact. It was my birthday, on the way to work, and in the HOV lane. No deal, recieved ticket, and gun back with chambered round out of the gun in the holster with the gun on top. Very nice Officer, but just finished driving school.

 

[saltydog452]

I didn't think it was worth it. In fact, I figured that I had the right granted from a higher authority and did not need, or want, permission of the state.

That was before I was pulled over for an Improper Lane Change. The nice Police Offricer asks if she can search my vehicle...sure thing, go ahead Ma'm.

There was a weapon within arms reach, my truck was hauled off to do time in the pound, I was hauled off to spend the night in jail. Bail Bondsman fee, Attorney fee, the cost to get my truck out of hock, Fine, and most important, the history of an arrest for a weapons violation.

Arrest history has nothing to do with conviction...just that you were accused of a crime. Thats enough to cause problems that you'd never become aware of. Arrest record is accessable to the public. Credit ratings, prospective employer background checks, etc., stuff like that.

So, yeah, I'd say now that it would be a good idea to get your State approved permit.

Lots of folks have worked long and hard to get this in the open as a 'shall issue' as opposed to preferential consideration.

Do it.

salty

 

[inSight-NEO]

Is it worth it? Thats entirely subjective (hence, up to you and you alone). Therefore, Im not going to say whether you should or should not get such a license.

But, I will offer this:

The CC permit/license simply offers more flexibility...should you need it. As has been mentioned before, whether or not you actually carry and/or take advantage of the license is entirely up to you. But, having the license itself at least gives you a legal option. Without it your options are limited, legally speaking. To me, this alone is justification enough.

Of course, I have a friend of mine who will NEVER have such a license as he believes its just one step closer to "the man" knowing he owns a firearm. But, he is somewhat of a conspiracy theorist, so I take what he has to say with a grain of salt.

 

[evan price]

My CCW and EDC are like that old American Express tagline- "Don't leave home without it!"

No minuses. Only pluses. Even if you don't "need" your CCW, get one anyway if you can- it gets the number of issued permits up in your state. More permits = more "mainstream" and less likely to be marginalized.

 

[Rimmer]

I guess my response is a bit different than most.
I got my conceal license a few years back when Ohio passed the law allowing them. Did the training and even became an NRA certified instructor and taught classes. Like many I avoided a couple tickets because of it.

Fast forward a few years. The laws were changed, for the better I believe but I wasn't able to keep up with them in my state as well as adjoining states that I had a permit to carry in. I also traveled to Pennsylvania and Michigan often for my work and needed to be up on current law for each state. My renewal was due and I never managed to get it done so it expired.

For whatever reason I somehow felt relieved that I no longer had to notify LE if I was stopped. Although I haven't been in several years now. I wasn't stashing it in the glove box to go have lunch someplace that server booze or other places that were a no-carry business. And probably the best reason is I moved to a smaller rural community 2 years ago. Crime is zip around here. Everyone owns several firearms and shoots regularly at any number of local ranges. I probably know half the locals now by name.

Having said all that, I do believe in tight home security and am always aware of my surroundings and I do not kid myself that I am safe when shopping or even getting gas. I work long hours and am not out after dark at all. I'm sleeping.

So is it worth having a permit? It depends on your lifestyle. Where you live and the hours you keep.

Just my ol 2¢

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Minor thread drift:

That was before I was pulled over for an Improper Lane Change. The nice Police Offricer asks if she can search my vehicle...sure thing, go ahead Ma'm.

I'll bet you won't do that again.

Back to the subject:

I do disagree that a permit should be required to exercise what should be a constitutional right, but this is not currently the reality we live in. A CCW is a compromise.

 

[thorazine]

I am a rifle guy, don't own any handguns.

Well it's about time you change that.

Get permit.
Get handgun.
Make trip to walmart.

 

[ktmmudd]

Also in Ohio, having the CHL makes it much easier to transport the gun in your car. No need to have the gun and ammo separated and not both accessible inside the car like you are required to do without the CHL.

 

[springmom]

The CHL is worth it if for no other reason than NICS checks are nonexistent. Find a new gun you want, fill out the paperwork, whip out both sets of ID, and Bob's yer uncle.

Which reminds me, I need to start the paperwork for my renewal....

Jan

 

[model of 1905]

I am in Arizona and an NRA certified instructor and CCW instructor.

You are treated differently by police. They know you have been checked out by ATFE, FBI, the state, the county and, if you live in an incorporated area, the local police. They know you have a clean record. I was recently stopped by DPS (wannabe CHIPs). He never even asked me to look at my gun. He did ask me to leave it in my truck while I went back to his car for him to write a warning (i'm sure without the permit I would have gotten a ticket).

In Arizona, if you have a pickup rifle scabbard built into a front seat cover of a pickup, you are carrying concealed. If you have a loaded rifle anywhere in a vehicle that isn't plainly visible, you are carrying concealed. It is very easy to get crossed up.

Further, if you have a permit there is no background check when you buy a gun. You have already been checked and DPS updates its database daily. It eliminates the phone call and dance that go on when you buy a gun.

The training is an abridged version of the NRA basic pistol and personal protection course with a heavy emphasis on state law and individual rights and consequences of self defense. But, it is worthwhile. You come away with a clear understanding of when you may use deadly force and what to expect in the aftermath.

The cost is relatively cheap in most places in the state. Considering what it cost me to get the many hours of training to become an instructor and the time investment, the classes are dirt cheap.

I run classes of different levels. For entry level pistoleros we offer a program that earns four NRA certificates and a CCW permit qualification. It costs quite a bit more than the standard CCW program, but it offers a lot more. Among what it does is it demonstrates training in four different aspects of training to be proficient with a handgun. If you ever have to go to court you can show a wealth of training and qualifications to accompany your CCW training.

Carrying a concealed weapon is a huge responsibility. I disagree with the baton for self defense, however. Depending on it as a weapon means you will engage in hand-to-hand combat if you are ever required to use it. If that is the case you will be injured. If you win you may only be slightly injured, but if you lose you will certainly be severely injured.

It's kind of like carrying a knife for self defense. The only thing it guarantees is that you are going to bleed...

Hand to hand combat is likely in a bad breath self defense scenario and a CCW should not only be prepared for it but should be prepared to use it aggressively and instantaneiously in such a manner to WIN. If you carry a gun and arent ready to fight, rethink. And as far as carrying a knife, read above. I always carry two and if need be I will use a knife violently to defend myself. If I bleed or am injured but survive and win, well isn't that the desired result?

 

[model of 1905]

Also as an instuctor if you aren't teaching your students that they need to take every possible action to defend themselves, you are doing them a disservice.

 

[southwest1]

Let me tell you all why I want the baton..

The story I am about to tell you is actually quite similar to, and was not far from, and about two years later than an incident in the Northern Arizona woods. In that incident, a man shot a transient with aggressive dogs in the woods. That man, went to jail for doing so and was just released. Google Harold Fish.

In the same neck of the woods I was hiking on a trail with my family and two dogs. One dog was a 10 year old German Shorthair pointer (a 90 lb muscle laden beauty), the other was a six month old Lab/Husky mix.

My wife, daughter and son accompanied me and the two dogs on a Sunday morning. About a mile off the road we encountered a transient, not menancing, very thin, probably a tweaker. He had 5 unleased Pit bulls with him. Our dogs were leashed. The dogs made a bee-line for my Shorthair. My dog is not aggressive but if provoked will fight. The alpha male pitbull raised his head up and challenged my dog. A vicious fight ensued. The two dogs locked jaws, literally. Meanwhile the other four Pits, one adult and three junveniles bit at the Shorthair's hindquarters. The leash was tangled around me.

Stop and ask yourself..What would I do ?

Anyway, I yelled to my family to take our puppy and run down the trail and get away from this very bad situation. They did so, the other Pitbulls did not follow them. So now it is me and my Shorthair against the transient and his 5 Pit Bulls. Keep in mind, if I got bit trying to free my dog, I could bleed out before help (at least 30 minutes away) could reach me.

The transient was a burn out, he had no weapon, just worthless. The guy had no leashes to hook up the dogs. At this point, I was almost resigned that I had to sacrifice my beloved Shorthair to save my family. I picked up a stick and beat the other four pit bulls off my dog's hind quarters. I have to say with a bit of pride, my Shorthair held his own. I was able to get the dogs to break the jaw lock. No blood was evident so I took my dog and ran up the mountain. The transient went on his way.

Once the adrenaline wore off, my dog starts bleeding from the hole in his head where the Pitbull chomped down. He has made a full recovery.

I go hiking up there all the time, I own a place close by. And that is why I want a baton. Deadly force was not justified in that situation. I had that Harold Fish story in mind during the whole ordeal. I am curious if any of you would have done things differently.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Their are states that require a permit?

 

[GBExpat]

...I go hiking up there all the time, I own a place close by. And that is why I want a baton. Deadly force was not justified in that situation. I had that Harold Fish story in mind during the whole ordeal. I am curious if any of you would have done things differently.

I would have shot dead the alpha male Pitbull ... and then waited to see if I had to also shoot any of the other Pitbulls.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I know one person who took the CWP class, got fingerprinted and put the whole application package together, but decided not to submit it. The reasoning was along the line of not needing it, b/c in our state you may have a loaded gun in your glove box, motel room, home.

The reason Texas has a shall issue law is because of the killings in Luby's Cafeteria in Kileen, Texas. Dr. Susan Gratia-Hupp was there with her parents when the killer came in. She had a gun, but under Texas law as it then was the gun had to be left in her glove box. She could do nothing as the killer shot her father. When her mother cradled the dying man's head in her lap, the killer shot her in the head.

It was Dr. Gratia-Hupp's testimony before the Texas Legislature that persuaded them to pass the bill.

 

[btg3]

She had a gun, but under Texas law as it then was the gun had to be left in her glove box.

I see that TX law now allows CC in restaurants depending on how much alcohol is consumed on-premises. This seems to be a better arrangement than states that allow no CC if any alcohol is consumed on-premises.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I see that TX law now allows CC in restaurants depending on how much alcohol is consumed on-premises. This seems to be a better arrangement than states that allow no CC if any alcohol is consumed on-premises.

It's a very good arrangement, indeed. Texas keeps getting better and better.

 

[kda]

CCW a good idea? Most certainly. And three cheers to those who not only get their permit but actually make a point out of exercising that right to carry. My wife went from being ambivalent about handguns to a licensed CCW who now carries all the time, every time.

Several things helped me take her in that direction. In AZ, home invasions and assaults are becoming more common every day, often more than one a week in the city where I live. And they are not by some unarmed cat burglar that slips in an open window while you are away, they are small groups that kick in doors whether anyone is home or not. If that isn't the case where you live, just give it time. Our country is changing and changing rapidly.

Reading the newspaper accounts put my wife on edge. Then we sat down and watched the Crimson Trace CD together and she saw that self defense is not something impossibly scary but something very much worth considering ... and practicing. A trip to the indoor range where she could see all sorts of shooters from young girls to white haired seniors firing their handguns convinced her that handguns were not just for young thugs, but for people who have made up their mind they don't want to be prey for those young thugs.

She quickly became a very good shot and passed her CCW course with ease. I know I worry less about her when I am not with her. And now that she understands all this, she worries less about me too.

And we have a hobby we can enjoy together ... recreational shooting to keep our skills up.

I am not aware of any downsides to concealed carry.

 

[btg3]

... small groups that kick in doors whether anyone is home or not. If that isn't the case where you live, just give it time.

You are on the mark. It's also easy to crash thru garage doors and sledge hammer windows. The boldness and aggression is, and will continue to increase. Especially under economic stress, and if the hope in our president should fade. No question that there are some groups that feel prosperity is a right, and if not given to them, they will take what they want.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Especially under economic stress, and if the hope in our president should fade.

Then we're screwed, big time.

 

[1-UP]

I keep thinking about getting one, just not quite there yet.

I believe the class costs something in the neighborhood of $150 in my area. It's not a princely sum, but it's enough to carry some weight to it, particularly because I'm not 100%clear yet on if I'll have to spend this money every time renewal comes up.

My main problem is there will rarely be an occasion where I can carry. I work in a school district so that eliminates the vast majority of my time. I like to have a beer or two when I go out to eat, same if I'm visiting friends or family. That eliminates more opportunity. Basically, I'd only have it when I'm doing walking/hiking/exercising (and I question how comfortable it would be) or grocery shopping.

 

[Dogbite]

I am a rifle guy, don't own any handguns. I was at a local gun show and bought one of those telescopic batons. In doing some research, I found out it is OK to carry the baton in plain site, but if I keep it in my car or stuff it into a pocket I need a concealed carry permit. That got me thinking, it may not be a bad idea to get one, training is probably pretty good.

For those of you that have such a permit, what are the drawbacks ? Are you put on a special list ? Do you get checked more carefully at airports ? During a traffic stop are you treated differently than a citizen without a permit ?

I gotta believe that having a concealed carry permit puts a person on the radar screen. Any thoughts ?

Is it worth it ?

Oh yes its worth it. I have been carrying concealed about 7 years or so. If anything, it would tell a cop that you are squeaky clean, because you are checked every which way by federal and state before your are issued one. I have never, ever had a problem with anyone, including cops, anywhere. I heed the rules of concealed carry, and don't carry where I'm not supposed to. There have been a handful of times I was very glad I had my permit, and a gun concealed on my person. I see it as just another way to be prepared for anything. I want to be in charge of my own personal defense. Airports don't check you anymore than anyone else, but of course you don't carry to airports or Gov buildings, etc.. There are no drawbacks to ccw. Its a gun in the hand of one more good guy.

 

[Isher]

......Testicles, spectacles, wallet and watch..........

Don't leave home without them.

To which I might add your

Driver's license and your ccw permit.

And an appropriate weapon.

Now, as to Constitutional issues, back in the bad old days

So far as I know there was never any

Licensing issue with regard to riding a horse.

Nor, in the same time period, to carrying a gun.

Lately, there is a tax on damn near everything.

All that ccw is, is a tax.

It has nothing to do with either the citizen's morals

Or the constitution.

Yeah, they check you for felonies.

So. You are a felon. And you know it.

So you are going to apply for a CCW?

Self defeating logic, to say the least.

At the end of the day, for the honest people,

Just another revenue stream for the gummint.


isher

 

[JackFunTeach]

CCW is so worth having

Even if you don't conceal carry now, it is great to have it. There is no telling what the future may bring. I believe we are only a few steps away from a total break down of national and world peace. Better to have it and not need it and the other way around. And even on a simple unexpected future event like having a friend or relative give you hand gun as a gift or bequeath item passed on.

IMHO opinion I conceal carry 7/24/365, and am proud to do so. As a school teacher, I can't carry to work, govt buildings, but where it's legal I carry. A lot of my co-teachers carry, too. A lot of weird things happen to teachers. There was one time when the shot teacher was in a real bad situation 300 miles into the woods of Norther Maine. He was confronted with 6 guys that were going to jack his Harley and do some severe personal injury to him. Dave ended that situation with his personal protection M & P 40 S&W. I am very certain that if he didn't have his conceal carry, he may not be teaching anymore youngsters anymore. Anyway, best of luck to your decision, but I would get my conceal carry permit before they make it more difficult to do so.

Jack