VirginiaTech student with CCW questions

[SpeedAKL]

As you probably know, something terrible happened today at my school. I am soon turning 21 and thus will be eligible for CCW and handgun ownership here in Virginia (so long as the laws aren't changed due to anti-gun hysteria )

What happened today made me further realize that it's my responsibility to protect myself and my friends and family and that I can't rely on others to do it.

I have a questions for guys and gals here with concealed carry permits:
1. How often do you guys actually use it? There are like 400,000 CCW permit holders in Virginia, but do most of you guys actually carry regularly?
2. How often are you asked to leave the premises of a business because you're carrying?
3. Do you have any stats on CCW and crime prevention, and have you or anyone you know had an experience with CCW and a crime or dangerous situation?
4. What handgun do you carry concealed and/or use for personal defense?

I really don't know too much about it, so these questions will probably seem very basic.

 

[Jim PHL]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and friends.

Please do a lot of thinking and "soul searching" about carrying a gun. I happen to believe that more people should carry than actually do, but there are also many people who should not. I hope you end up carrying legally and responsibly and that you'll never need to use whatever you end-up with.

I have been licensed to carry concealed for ten years. I have had my hand on the gun exactly once with the idea that I might need it. I never actually drew it on that single occasion.

I have always said I carry with the idea that I am much more likely to encounter a situation like today's than to be robbed or "jumped" when in the wrong place at the wrong time. My common sense allows me to avoid many of the more obvious places where there may be trouble, but you never know where or when you might encounter a disgruntled employee, jilted lover or just plain nut, like today's sad event.

Be safe.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Welcome on board! Sorry it's under these circumstances.

What happened today made me further realize that it's my responsibility to protect myself and my friends and family and that I can't rely on others to do it.

Welcome to a much larger world. The responsibility is heavy and needs to be taken seriously but you'll be amazed at how self-reliance makes you feel about the world in general.

1. How often do you guys actually use it? There are like 400,000 CCW permit holders in Virginia, but do most of you guys actually carry regularly?

I live in VA and work in DC. Therefore I can-not CCW when at work or traveling to/from. When in Virginia (or West Virginia for that matter) I carry about 80% of the time when out of my house. Some folks carry more, some less, some not at all. I even know a CCW holder who doesn't own a single gun. Why? As they say, better to have and not need than the other way around.

2. How often are you asked to leave the premises of a business because you're carrying?

Not once so far. I have concealment down pretty well. As far as resturants go I lock my sidearm up vs. open carry.

3. Do you have any stats on CCW and crime prevention, and have you or anyone you know had an experience with CCW and a crime or dangerous situation?

Providing stats on crime prevented is almost impossible because, well, nothing happened (or at least nothing got reported). Do I know anyone with actual experience with CCW and a "problem"? Yes.

4. What handgun do you carry concealed and/or use for personal defense?

I prefer guns in .40 S&W some love that round, others hate it. What gun and what caliber to use is an ENDLESS debate here. Mostly if boils down to using what you can accurately shoot and practicing with it until you have it down cold.

Some unsolicited advice.
No offense intended but right now you are probably having a reaction to events. Completely understandable but please try to make sure you have a little "distance" between yourself and events before you proceed. Decisions regarding firearms MUST be made in as calm and rational a manner as is possible.

The decision to own a firearm is a big responsibility and even in Virginia carries a bit of a social stigma (especially with the college crowd). Be prepared for the inevitable issues that will arise and be informed as to how to counter the typical illogic that the anti-gun crowd attacks with. There are threads all over THR about this.

Owning a firearm isn't just buying a gun and shooting it a few times. It's a larger commitment to learning firearms safety and sticking with it (even if others roll their eyes about it). It also means committing yourself to TRAINING so that you know how to use a firearm under stress. If you aren't up to the full monty, pick a different method of defense because firearms are not a magic wand and without proper training can be worse than useless.

Now it may sound like I'm trying to talk you out of owning firearms for self defense. Not so at all, I just prefer that people understand the big picture before they get a ways down the road.

 

[jfanzen]

hey man... go get it.. im 21 but dont have a ccw... im thinking of it... there is a 25 year old male in my class who is bipolar.. has anxiety attacks.. he is just plane ass crazy! he jumps at me with no reason... and i just take it because i know his condition... i told him to stop talking to me he pissess me off ... and im thinking of concealing a gun while im at school... you never ever ever know! good luck my friend

 

[daysleeprx]

im thinking of concealing a gun while im at school.

That sounds like a really really bad idea.

 

[The Law]

im thinking of concealing a gun while im at school.

That sounds like a really really bad idea.

Have you been following the news? 32 of his classmates/professors just got shot by some wacko.

I think it's a very good idea to carry. If I was in the same position, I'd do it too.

 

[jlbraun]

@The Law

im thinking of concealing a gun while im at school.

That sounds like a really really bad idea.

Have you been following the news? 32 of his classmates/professors just got shot by some wacko.

I think it's a very good idea to carry. If I was in the same position, I'd do it too.

Actually, 32 were KILLED. About 50 total were SHOT.

And I agree with the OP. If I went to a school that banned CCW, I would go out tomorrow and buy a Kahr 9mm and a SmartCarry.

 

[usp9]

A Hokie cries today

SpeedAKL, Welcome to the forum. I'm a '75 grad, lived in Rasche Hall for a couple years. My heart is broken that such a horrible event took place at Tech.

While you are able to obtain a permit to carry when you reach 21, you cannot legally carry on campus.

 

[SpeedAKL]

I'm not going to rush into it or anything. It's definitely something that will be on my mind more often though. Obviously, no decision involving firearms should be made based on emotion, as we've unfortunately witnessed today

 

[SpeedAKL]

True. I wish the regs could be changed to allow it on campus, but unfortunately I feel that I'm in the minority opinion when it comes to CCW on campus. Hopefully this won't turn VA into a big anti-gun state.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

1. How often do you guys actually use it? There are like 400,000 CCW permit holders in Virginia, but do most of you guys actually carry regularly?

I carry everyday from when I leave the house until I go to bed.

2. How often are you asked to leave the premises of a business because you're carrying?[/QUOTEI have never been asked to leave a business because of my CONCEALED carry. I have never been made AFAIK.

3. Do you have any stats on CCW and crime prevention,

Check out a book titled "More Guns Less Crime" by John Lott.

 

[CraigJS]

jfransen, Think it over long and hard before you get a CCW, you still have a bit of maturing to do. All the reasons you posted about would land you in jail.. You can afford a temper, you can afford a gun, you can't afford both.. Carrying a weapon if anything should allow you feel LESS the need to respond to that kind of verbal stuff. Getting pissed off and carrying don't mix well.
I'm not saying don't defend yourself, just pick your actions carefully..

 

[6_gunner]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your classmates. My school is holding a prayer vigil for the victims' families and the survivors this evening.

To answer your questions:
I have never been asked to leave a business because I'm carrying; as far as I know, nobody's ever been able to tell I'm carrying.

I carry a medium frame .38 revolver with a 6" barrel, which is relatively easy to conceal tucked in the waistband at the back of my jeans. The revolver's long barrel keeps it in place and allows it to ride at about a 45 degree angle.

I carry a pistol almost everywhere except for work, church and school.
The terrible tragedy at your school has made me decide to start carrying to my classes. I plan on getting a Colt 1908 .25 pistol for this purpose, which I will conceal in one of my boots.

 

[harthamm]

The post by Jfanzen is a perfect example as to why there should be ongoing debate and discussion on CCW and the responsibilities that come with it. This is clearly a situation where a person and his community would be better served by waiting .
As I understand it, CCW is meant to be defensive when there is a definite threat to one's life and health. Verbal discussion and avoidance is to be used if a person rubs you the wrong way, but, doesn't threaten your life.

 

[daysleeprx]

Have you been following the news? 32 of his classmates/professors just got shot by some wacko.

Yes as a matter of fact, I have.

So are you saying you'd willingly break laws that forbid carrying on school grounds? Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of lawfully applying for a CCW? If people are just going to carry where they want, then what's the point of having a CCW law at all?

 

[ojibweindian]

SpeedAKL, here are my answers:

1. How often do you guys actually use it? There are like 400,000 CCW permit holders in Virginia, but do most of you guys actually carry regularly?
I carry every single day.

2. How often are you asked to leave the premises of a business because you're carrying?
I've yet to be asked to leave a premises; of course, that's because no one has "caught" me carrying.

3. Do you have any stats on CCW and crime prevention, and have you or anyone you know had an experience with CCW and a crime or dangerous situation?
Google John Lott, google "CCW", and go to the DoJ web site. That should get you started in the right direction.

4. What handgun do you carry concealed and/or use for personal defense?
Right now, I carry a full-sized 1911A1. Great pistol chambered in a great cartridge. Of course, there are many other equally good platforms and cartridges.

 

[Croyance]

1.) Whenever practical and even when not.
2.) Concealed means just that. So nobody sees and I don't talk about having a gun on me. I do respect the rules that others have on their property, so if it is posted, I don't carry if I can avoid it (if I am just dropping something off real fast, I might not care enough).
4.) Depends on many conditions. Have smaller guns and have carried a Browning HiPower or 1911.

 

[jlbraun]

@daysleeperx

So are you saying you'd willingly break laws that forbid carrying on school grounds?

A lot of no-carry-on-campus regulations aren't state law, just school regulations. I think that there are going to be a lot of armed students on a lot of campuses tomorrow.

If people are just going to carry where they want, then what's the point of having a CCW law at all?

Exactly the point. Vermont-style carry with no restrictions on where you can carry is the ideal solution.

 

[bowline]

Hello, SpeedAKL, welcome to the board. I am very sorry it is under such circumstances.

I spend most of my time at sea, but when home, I carry every day. Usually a 1911, but during summer when it is too hot for even a light vest, I'll switch to a smaller pistol. You'd be amazed how unobservant many people are.

I've never been asked to leave a business. One time, though, the manager did chat me up for half an hour on my choice of pistol. Seems CCW types are more observant than others.

I've been an unwilling participant in one home invasion, and one attempted carjacking. I was armed both times, which may be why I am still here typing this.

There are many links on the internet - including the relatively recent incident in Tennessee where an armed college student stopped another armed student who was intent on shooting people. Google is your friend...

I'll bet that somewhere near you, a gun blogger or THR member is willing to take you to the range, introduce you to shooting, and give you some pointers on continuing your education on this subject.

 

[JahRoose]

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-50658

Some of the bigwigs at VT had pressed for the killing of a bill that would have allowed CC on college campuses. This was after a big hubub in april of 05 where a student was busted for CC. (he was let off)

 

[Run&Shoot]

Never been asked to leave a premises, but when I lived in Washington the Space Needle gift shop security guard made my CCW I think because he got all nervous suddenly and shadowed me even out to the sidewalk. I turned around and all friendly like asked him for directions and he about pooped himself. But he had no reason to detain me or ask me about it because it was perfectly legal.

Normally have a G23 or had a S&W 642 but gave it to a daughter. Now looking to get a Keltec P3AT tomorrow, and later another S&W 642. I have the G23 with me 85% of the time in either IWB or daypack external pocket. The P3AT will be my always-except-in-bed gun (have a 1911 there).

Usually I am able to avoid any situation that seems to be getting hinky. Only put my hand on my 642 a couple of times but no need to draw. Some studies (John Lott?) estimates about 1-2 million defensive use of firearms every year by citizens. Only about 10% of the time are shots required as just the presence of a firearm is usually enough to defuse or deter.

 

[TX1911fan]

From what I understand, it's not a law to not carry on VT grounds. Virginia law makes it legal to carry on school grounds, but leaves it up to the school to decide. So it is a VT rule. It sounded to me like the worst that would happen is you get expelled if you are caught. I could be wrong though.

 

[Waywatcher]

I bet there are 32 families who would rather have alive and expelled students right now.

 

[Wordsmith]

I'm sorry about what has happened at your university, SpeedAKL. I'm still in shock, as I'm sure you are.

I'm 24 years old and carry my weapon concealed about 95% of the time that I'm out of the house. I have no problem concealing an HK P2000 or Glock 19 under a T-shirt with a good belt and inside-the-waistband holster (I'm 5' 10" and 170 lbs.). I've never been "made" by anyone except family who hugged a bit too low and tight.

I've never been asked to leave the premises of an establishment because they never knew I was carrying. Sometimes my wife wants to know if I'm carrying, and she has to ask, because she can't tell.

I continue to be pretty religious about carrying because of an assault I witnessed when I was 20. Like a handful of other witnesses, I watched as an elderly man was beaten with baseball bats by two teenagers. I felt helpless to do anything during the attack, and guilty afterwards for not having intervened. I bought a handgun the day I turned 21 and obtained my handgun permit soon after.

My wife also has a handgun permit and has carried maybe one time in the three years she has been legal. Some people (like her) get a handgun permit merely so they can have the option. Some of us get one because we know that wolves can pop up anywhere. Heck, some of us have locked eyes with them.

Getting a handgun permit does not obligate you to carry all the time. Only you can decide what's best for you, but I know for sure that I won't be complaining that there is one more person with a handgun permit in the world.

 

[sansone]

I can answer one question for you: when I first got the permit I had a .357 revolver and quickly noticed how hard it was to secretely be armed. In otherwords TRULY concealed. I feel being armed should be a secret. I traded the revolver for a 380 auto and BINGO.. could walk anyplace without anyone knowing I was packin' / also had to upgrade the cheap 380 to a Mustang because the cheap auto didn't always go bang. nothing worse than surprise no bang