"Should I Get A CCW" Advice

[kmittleman]

Hi All,


I wanted to see what you all thought about a CCW for my situation. I own a business where we're open until 9pm or so and we have cash on hand. Over the past several years, my car was broken into once, there was an attempted break in, and we recently have a situation where we are pressing charges on someone for passing bad checks. The latter has numerous warrants out for his arrest and when caught, I will be called into court to testify. The question is, safety. We're a music school and have lots of kids here in and out. I figured if I kept a small revolver on me, it could be ok but I don't know. Also, what's the safest carry option (ankle, pocket,etc).

Thanks in advance!

-Kevin

 

[Supertac45]

Absolutely if it's possible in your state. I reccommend inside the waistband carry as the most secure .

 

[glock36]

+100 on what Supertac45 has said, with the economy in a spiroling downward direction it doesn't make sense not to carry. A in the waist band holster with a good belt is the ticket.
And don't forget practice, practice and practice some more. I hope things work out for you.
Good luck
God speed

 

[Zundfolge]

Like Supertac45 said, get your permit and carry IWB.

Where you at (so folk that live in the same state can post info on getting your permit)?

 

[docnyt]

No one here will dissuade you from getting a CCW. As mentioned, practice with what you've got. Attending a basic pistol course is useful as well. A good holster is essential and you may find that ankle carry is cumbersome in most circumstances.

 

[JoelSteinbach]

It is better to be alive than sorry, in todays unrest, you would be foolish not to carry, In your situation a j-frame in the pocket would be a handy, security blanket.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Getting a CCW is an excellent idea. Getting some additional training would make it an even better idea.

If an NRA certified instructor near you offers the Basic Handgun, Personal Protection in the Home and Personal Protection Outside the Home classes, the three would provide a great foundation.

It's tricky and slow to draw a gun from an ankle holster. I don't think they're a good choice for a primary weapon. Many people like them for a backup gun, and that makes more sense.

Pocket carry can work well for small guns. But I think the best approach is strong side carry, on the hip using good belt and belt holster. A holster designed to be worn inside the waist band works best for concealment.

 

[TimM]

YES

 

[leadcounsel]

I see zero drawbacks to getting the training and licensing, except being entered into yet another government database. I'm already in several so it doesn't much matter to me.

The training and continued training are important life skills.
The fees are negligible.


Take charge of your safety and security. Boggles my mind how people but the most important thing (safety of themselves and loved ones) in the hands of others (police, security, etc.) who have proven themselves unable to reliably be there or intervene.

 

[DPris]

Why are you asking strangers to make such a decision for you?
It's your situation, based on your perceived need & realistic evaluation of your own ability to use a gun in it.

Such a question on a pro-gun site will yield a not-very-surprising result, but you're the one who needs to answer it.
Denis

 

[Sky]

If something goes down in your situation it will likely happen in the blink of an eye. Speed of fire arm retrieval might/should be a consideration; my opinion.

CCW even if you do not carry is money well spent even if it is for educational purposes.

If you decide not to carry (even though you will probably never need a gun) it will be a sad day if by chance you needed to defend your business or loved ones. CCW gives so many options.

 

[JoeSlomo]

IMO, every law abiding citizen should carry a firearm.

 

[Black Knight]

Personally I think if you have ask the question you already know the answer. All you are doing is confirming your answer. I agree with the others, you should get the permit and the pistol of your choice. It is better to have it and never need to use it than to need it and not have it. Check to see what your state requires and try to find the highest quality training you can get. Sometimes you can find top notch instructors for decent costs. Be careful of the low cost courses as they may not be as high quality as others.

 

[kmittleman]

I'm In Maryland. I believe there are only a few instances where a CCW is legal and this is one of them.

Like Supertac45 said, get your permit and carry IWB.

Where you at (so folk that live in the same state can post info on getting your permit)?
__________________

 

[kmittleman]

Very true. However, I figured others out there might have experience with this while I do not. Also, it's very helpful to hear multiple opinions even though we're all a bit biased here.

Why are you asking strangers to make such a decision for you?
It's your situation, based on your perceived need & realistic evaluation of your own ability to use a gun in it.

Such a question on a pro-gun site will yield a not-very-surprising result, but you're the one who needs to answer it.
Denis

 

[Frank Ettin]

I'm In Maryland. I believe there are only a few instances where a CCW is legal and this is one of them.

It's my understanding that in Maryland CCW isn't just legal under any circumstances. One must get a permit to carry a concealed weapon, at least outside his home or place of business.

And in Maryland, as far as I know, the issuance of a permit is entirely within the discretion of the issuing authority (I'm not sure what it is in Maryland, but I think it's the State Police).

If you go to this site, http://www.handgunlaw.us/ , and click on Maryland on the map on the home page, you'll get a pdf file with more detailed information.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Yes, in -theory- you can get a CCW in Maryland.

Reality is a whole nuther kettle of crab soup however ... But it can't hurt to try.

 

[THe Dove]

YES. AND EVERY OTHER LEGAL RESIDENT IN YOUR STATE!!!!

The Dove

 

[goon]

If you have a gun you can decide whether or not it's necessary to use it to defend yourself.
If you don't have a gun, your only choice is to hope it's not necessary.
So of course I think you should get a CCW if at all possible.

 

[TNboy]

Yes! But if you only desire to carry in your place of business you wi ikey not need a ccw permit. Keep it concealed and tell no one. No need in ruffling the feathers of any anti gun parents of you students.

 

[esquare]

Visit http://www.corneredcat.com/

I know it's a site primarily for women, but it has a lot of very valuable information about why you carry a gun, how to carry a gun, carrying around children, safety, if you should carry etc. Kathy Jackson has a new book out as well based on the website.

I got my CCW because I'm going to be a father soon. I realized that when I was single, I would have a decent chance of running away and I tried to be careful (I have enough experiences to know what to avoid). When I got married, I 'knew' that my wife could take care of herself. When I really thought about what life is going to be like with a child, I realized that there are just way too many situations that I'm going to be in that are defenseless without a weapon. Before my wife was pregnant, I think she really could have defended herself or run from something. Now, she can barely bend over, she can't keep a fast pace on a walk, and she's off balance quite often. When the child comes, having to put them into a car seat in a parking lot, having them in a stroller, etc, how do you defend that?

That's what pushed me over the edge - looking back on it now, I just have done this a long time ago.

Do your due diligence on what it would take to protect yourself EFFECTIVELY, and make a plan and follow through one step at a time. This isn't just about getting a CCW, it's about learning how to see and avoid confrontation, securing your home, car, business, etc - all the things prudent people should be doing.

 

[sprice]

I second supertacks 45 statement.

 

[omegaflame]

If you're going IWB, I might recommend a compact or subcompact 9mm or higher. .380 is borderline, and a small revolver only has 5-6 shots.

 

[kayak-man]

If you want to carry in waist band, I think an auto like a 9mm or a 380 might be more comfortable. If you go the revolver route, there is still absolutely nothing wrong with in the waistband, but I would recommend paying the extra cash if you can, (this goes for small autos too) and getting both an in-waist-band holster and a pocket holster. If for some reason you become unable to carry in-waist-band (Lets face it, this is real life, stuff happens: belt loops break, we get pretty fowl stuff on cover garments, the heating breaks and its 300 degrees inside...) you can transition to pocket carry.

Either way, carrying a reload might not be a bad idea. I'm not sure what is considered "normal" clothing in Marryland, but when I carry, I use an Eddie Bauer polar fleece vest as a cover garment (An actual vest, not a flyfishing or photographers vest.) It conceals my gun when I carry IWB, I can slip a small revolver in the pocket, and a speed loader is actually pretty inconspicuos in the zippered breast pocket.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope things work out for you!

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[Iam2taz]

+1 Supertak45....
In the waistband - definitely. - You have asked the question; you know the answer...
Plan on practicing ALOT.
Get something that is comfortable to shoot and carry. I suggest you rent a few different types of handguns before you purchase one. Rent both semi-autos and revolvers of the size you think you want to purchase.
JMHO