Concealed Carry: It’s Time

 

Shooting a gun never appealed to me prior to five years ago. My attitude towards guns has shifted to a point where it seems natural and necessary to have one.

When my husband pressed me to have a gun in the house, I resisted for a few years. We live in a gated community, and having a gun in the house seemed excessive. I didn’t object to guns, per se, but I also didn’t much appreciate them. Since my husband was so determined to have one, given there has been minor crime in our development, I agreed. His first gun was a Glock 19. It felt heavy and intimidating to me, but I wasn’t going to use it—until my husband expressed his desire for me to learn how to use it, since it was going to be in the house. (Reflecting on his rationale, I don’t find it very persuasive, since I am rarely here without him!) But I finally tried it out at the first gun range which we joined.

The darn thing felt heavy. And the noise in the gun range was unbelievably loud. Even with earplugs and ear muffs, it was disturbing and difficult to tolerate. The trainer recommended a couple of adjustments, like getting my hair off my ears, and the ear muffs fit much better. Still, the indoor range was very loud, and I always jumped at the first shot fired by anyone.

Gradually I found I kind of liked shooting. We bought better ear protection, so that helped my attitude. I wasn’t a total disaster on my aim, but the gun still felt heavy to me. So we decided to buy a Ruger for me. That wasn’t a good idea. It had a kick that I disliked and it interfered with my aim. So I started to use my husband’s gun again, discovering that with my ongoing comfort with the idea of shooting, the weight didn’t bother me.

Eventually, my husband suggested I get my own Glock (and I suggested he get the newer model), and we also found a gun range, indoor/outdoor, closer to home (20 minutes). Long story, short—he now calls me Annie Oakley and I really enjoy the discipline and challenge. Before I go on the range, I always repeat the three rules: assume the gun is loaded; point in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger (when you’re not shooting).

But now the question of concealed carry has come up. A while ago my husband decided he should get one because the time might arrive when a citizen would not be permitted to have one; I thought that possibility sounded a bit extreme. With the latest proposed laws, and watching Republicans cave to ridiculous justifications for limitations on guns, I figured at the very least, I needed to get a permit.

This step and its significance for me is a big deal on a number of levels. I resent having to consider concealed carry because of the stupidity and ambitions of the Republicans. They are not even looking at the data to figure out which existing laws simply need to simply be applied, which new laws will make no difference at all, which proposals will cripple our current rights, and whether gun control is good for citizens and for the country. I resent living in a time when I don’t feel safe, that I have to take more responsibility for my safety, and that my peace of mind regarding my day-to-day life has been compromised (however little), so that I might need a gun. I resent feeling that I may be overreacting to the possible dangers, that I may be becoming paranoid, and that I am acquiescing to a trend.

At the same time, I read some statistics from 2018 (updated since) that made me feel less like an outlier and more in alignment with others who appreciate their Second Amendment Rights and concealed carry:

  • Last year, despite the common perception that growth in the number of permit holders would stop after the 2016 election, the number of permits grew by about 890,000.
  • Outside the restrictive states of California and New York, about 8.63% of the adult population has a permit.
  • In fifteen states, more than 10% of adults have permits, up from just eleven last year.
  • Alabama has the highest rate — 22.1%. Indiana is second with 17.9%, and South Dakota is a close third with 17.2%.
  • Four states now have over 1 million permit holders: Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
  • Another 14 states have adopted constitutional carry in all or almost all of their state, meaning that a permit is no longer required. However, because of these constitutional carry states, the nationwide growth in permits does not paint a full picture of the overall increase in concealed carry.
  • Permits continued to grow much faster for women and minorities. Between 2012 and 2018, the percent of women with permits grew 111% faster for women and the percent of blacks with permits grew 20% faster than for whites. Permits for Asians grew 29% faster than for whites.
  • Concealed handgun permit holders are extremely law-abiding. In Florida and Texas, permit holders are convicted of misdemeanors and felonies at one-sixth of the rate at which police officers are convicted.

I’ve made excuses for quite a while to avoid getting a concealed carry permit. I still dislike the idea of wearing a gun or carrying it in my purse. And yet–

It’s time.

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  1. Cal Lawton Inactive
    Cal Lawton
    @CalLawton

    How about carrying a pistol and not needing it, verses needing it and not having it.

    The audio doesn’t play for this Instagram video now, but I watched it when originally posted. It was chilling to hear this man speak with rifle reports in the background.

    I Don’t Got my F—— Gun

     

    • #31
  2. EB Thatcher
    EB
    @EB

    Stad (View Comment):

    EB (View Comment):
    But guns can kill people – that’s kind of the point.

    And so can a hundred other items.

    England has been going through a horrible case of knife violence. To me, this shows violence will happen regardless of the tools used to carry it out. We always talk about the root cause of violence, but we never do anything about it. We go after the tools instead. This is like treating the symptom, but not the root cause – the disease.

    @stad

    I agree that the tool is not the problem, the person is.  That is why I am for the sensible gun laws we have now. I want people to know how to drive and understand traffic laws before they take to the road. And I want people to know how to use a gun and understand the law regarding use of force before they start toting.

    To say that any- and everyone should be able to carry because…….the Constitution – is irresponsible.

    • #32
  3. Pony Convertible Inactive
    Pony Convertible
    @PonyConvertible

    Stad (View Comment):

    Bryan McAllister (View Comment):
    make use of snap-caps to work on steady trigger pull with dry-fire practice

    One instructor said to work on a steady trigger pull, and a good, steady aim will naturally follow.

    The best trigger pull trainer I have found is a Laser Lyte laser.  It fits in your chamber and pulses a trigger when the firing pin drops.  If you point at a wall, and pull the trigger, the laser will either make a line on the wall,or a dot.  A line indicates you pulled, or pushed the gun when you pulled the trigger.  A dot indicates a good trigger pull.  It is amazing how this immediate feedback quickly fixes trigger pull problems.

    • #33
  4. Bryan McAllister Inactive
    Bryan McAllister
    @bmcallis

    Stad (View Comment):

    Bryan McAllister (View Comment):
    make use of snap-caps to work on steady trigger pull with dry-fire practice

    One instructor said to work on a steady trigger pull, and a good, steady aim will naturally follow.

    @Stad, yes, that tracks with my experience, as well.  I had read somewhere that very proficient shooters will practice 2-to-1, of dry-fire (i.e. steady trigger pull), to live fire (i.e. range time).  I’m not quite that diligent, but I do find the dry-fire time to be helpful.

    • #34
  5. Bryan McAllister Inactive
    Bryan McAllister
    @bmcallis

    Pony Convertible (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Bryan McAllister (View Comment):
    make use of snap-caps to work on steady trigger pull with dry-fire practice

    One instructor said to work on a steady trigger pull, and a good, steady aim will naturally follow.

    The best trigger pull trainer I have found is a Aim-point laser. It fits in your chamber and pulses a trigger when the firing pin drops. If you point at a wall, and pull the trigger, the laser will either make a line on the wall,or a dot. A line indicates you pulled, or pushed the gun when you pulled the trigger. A dot indicates a good trigger pull. It is amazing how this immediate feedback quickly fixes trigger pull problems.

    @Pony Convertible the laser suggestion makes a lot of sense.  At the concealed carry training I attended, we did spend some time with something similar.  I agree, very helpful to see the flinch.  I’ve never tried it, but I’ve also heard inter-mingling snap-caps randomly in the magazine with live rounds will also help to test for flinching.  That isn’t really a pure, trigger pull issue, but another culprit to misdirecting rounds.  Thank you for the tip!

    • #35
  6. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Bryan McAllister (View Comment):
    I’ve never tried it, but I’ve also heard inter-mingling snap-caps randomly in the magazine with live rounds will also help to test for flinching.

    I have, and it works.  Even people who say they never flinch get surprised when they try it . . .

    • #36
  7. PHenry Inactive
    PHenry
    @PHenry

    Susan Quinn: A while ago my husband decided he should get one because the time might arrive when a citizen would not be permitted to have one;

    I’m glad to hear you are shooting and serious about self defense.  It is key to maintaining civil society! 

    But I just want to mention the sentence above.  I believe in CCW, but the fact is that a CCW is a flag that you own a weapon.  If the government ever prohibits ownership, the CCW holders will be the first to get that knock on the door…  

    • #37
  8. Eeyore Member
    Eeyore
    @Eeyore

    Stad (View Comment):
    England has been going through a horrible case of knife violence.

    Some years ago, Brits were were pressuring celebrity chefs (I remember a story featuring Jamie Oliver) to declare their commitment to there being absolutely no need for points on chefs knives. The first link when I started looking for stories featured this quite:

    [A]ccording to judge Nic Madge. He wants to ban the sale of long pointed knives and have us grind down the tips of existing ones to cute little rounded ends, like play school craft scissors. “Why do we need 8 inch or 10 inch kitchen knives with points?” 

    My memory is that they indeed wanted to include those evil pointy scissors.

    • #38
  9. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    PHenry (View Comment):
    But I just want to mention the sentence above. I believe in CCW, but the fact is that a CCW is a flag that you own a weapon. If the government ever prohibits ownership, the CCW holders will be the first to get that knock on the door…

    True.  I have one friend who refuses to get his CWP for that same reason.

    As for the knock on the door, there are many scenarios which could play out, a lot of them not pretty . . .

    • #39
  10. Old Buckeye Inactive
    Old Buckeye
    @OldBuckeye

    Susan asked: “In addition to getting the permit, @oldbuckeye, do you think you’ll actually carry? Or haven’t you gotten that far in your decision-making?”

    My initial thought was that I would carry because why not? But then I read @phenry‘s comment:

    “…a CCW is a flag that you own a weapon. If the government ever prohibits ownership, the CCW holders will be the first to get that knock on the door…” 

    That’s more food for thought. 

    Very thankful to those on this site who have shared their skill and experience. It’s one of the reasons I feel more confident about owning a firearm myself. 

     

    • #40
  11. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Pony Convertible (View Comment):
    I generally ignore “No guns allowed” signs.

    I don’t, but I try to find out in advance if a store has a No Firearms policy.  I hate walking to the door of an establishment, seeing the No Concealed Weapons sign, then turning around and heading back to the car to lock my weapon in the glove box.  Once I realized this was a signal to thieves the possible location of a gun, I go elsewhere to shop or go home.

    • #41
  12. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Notice even wihout a CWP, citizens can have the knock at the door based on what the government finds on social media.

    • #42
  13. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Stad (View Comment):

    Bryan McAllister (View Comment):
    make use of snap-caps to work on steady trigger pull with dry-fire practice

    One instructor said to work on a steady trigger pull press, and a good, steady aim will naturally follow.

    My instructor used the word “press” because when we “pull” we tend to use our whole hand, instead of just the trigger finger. It worked to steady my aim to think of it as a “trigger press.” 

    —————

    Also, when it comes to gun confiscation:

    Officer: We’re here to confiscate your CCW. 

    Person: I sold it [lost it, gave it away]. 

    Officer: You’re supposed to report that sale [loss, donation].

    Person: Oh, I didn’t know. 

    Officer: We’ll have to fine you and put a misdemeanor on your record. If you’re caught with the weapon, it’s a felony. 

    Person: So sorry. Won’t happen again.

    I don’t know the law about these things, but when it comes to fundamental rights like self-protection, the authorities have a need to know in my book of ethics. As in, they don’t need it. 

    • #43
  14. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    PHenry (View Comment):
    But I just want to mention the sentence above. I believe in CCW, but the fact is that a CCW is a flag that you own a weapon. If the government ever prohibits ownership, the CCW holders will be the first to get that knock on the door…

    Over my cold, dead body!

    • #44
  15. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    A couple decades ago, I always said that I have a right to carry a weapon and if I ever have a need to carry a weapon, a lack of a stinking badge was not going to stop me.

    But then when my battalion mobilized to go to Afghanistan a local came by and offered to let us get permitted for free.  That is, being on active duty the licensing fee was waived by the state, the finger printing was done at the security clearance office, the passport photo was free, and the training class was donated by this kind local man who was certified to provide the class.  Also, the qualification portion of the process was waived because we were qualified by the Marines to shoot.

    Well, heck, since it was free . . . 

    I’m glad I did.  It took a while to figure out how to carry comfortably.  I just have a small pistol that I keep in my back pocket.  In the winter I can carry a larger pistol on my belt, but I usually don’t.  

    I work down town in Austin and I like to occasionally go to the Capitol where permit holders can avoid the metal detector and go walk around with a pistol or not.  I’m guessing that they are watching very closely on survellance cameras, but that doesn’t bother me. 

    I only remove my pistol when I’m going to court, or the post office.  

    • #45
  16. Eeyore Member
    Eeyore
    @Eeyore

    I just ran across his specific response to the “Dan Crenshaw Caves On Red Flag Laws!” meme which concerned me earlier: [note – opens with sound muted by default in my browser]

    https://twitter.com/RepDanCrenshaw/status/1160252312243376129

    • #46
  17. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Eeyore (View Comment):

    I just ran across his specific response to the “Dan Crenshaw Caves On Red Flag Laws!” meme which concerned me earlier: [note – opens with sound muted by default in my browser]

    https://twitter.com/RepDanCrenshaw/status/1160252312243376129

    I love Dan Crenshaw, but he might be naive about red flag laws. Both in what they might accomplish in their best form (predicting imminent violence — mind reading) and in the possibility of even good red flag laws becoming bad ones (leftist gun grabs) — which nears 100%. 

    Laws will not fix the degraded culture problem at the heart of mass shootings. 

    • #47
  18. Joshua Bissey Inactive
    Joshua Bissey
    @TheSockMonkey

    EB (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    EB (View Comment):
    But guns can kill people – that’s kind of the point.

    And so can a hundred other items.

    England has been going through a horrible case of knife violence. To me, this shows violence will happen regardless of the tools used to carry it out. We always talk about the root cause of violence, but we never do anything about it. We go after the tools instead. This is like treating the symptom, but not the root cause – the disease.

    @stad

    I agree that the tool is not the problem, the person is. That is why I am for the sensible gun laws we have now. I want people to know how to drive and understand traffic laws before they take to the road. And I want people to know how to use a gun and understand the law regarding use of force before they start toting.

    To say that any- and everyone should be able to carry because…….the Constitution – is irresponsible.

    Which laws are those?

    Isn’t it true that most states have never required a license or permit or training in order to own or carry firearms? Or in any case, most states today have no such requirements, and many states don’t even require a permit for concealed carry. You’re saying you prefer it that way?

    So far as I know, it wasn’t until multiple states began issuing permits to carry concealed, in the 1980s and ‘90s, that anyone was required to have training to carry a gun.

    There are a number of problems with comparing guns to cars. Among them is that it’s perfectly legal to operate my car in populated areas, and I do so nearly every day. I drive at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (depending on the road, and applicable laws), and even at low speeds, someone could be injured or killed. In fact, I’ve hit other motorists, and been hit myself. If I operated a firearm in most of those places, even once, even if no one was hurt, I’d face serious consequences, and would have to show that I was in fear for my life. But, so far, I’ve never used my guns anywhere outside of a shooting range, and haven’t had any accidents. The comparison is pretty weak.

    • #48
  19. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    I love Dan Crenshaw, but he might be naive about red flag laws. Both in what they might accomplish in their best form (predicting imminent violence — mind reading) and in the possibility of even good red flag laws becoming bad ones (leftist gun grabs) — which nears 100%. 

    I agree, WC. “Predicting imminent violence” pricked up my ears. I have no idea what that means, and how it can be clearly defined or fairly enforced.

    • #49
  20. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Joshua Bissey (View Comment):
    I’ve hit other motorists, and been hit myself.

    Note to self: don’t accept a ride from @joshuabissey.

    • #50
  21. Polyphemus Inactive
    Polyphemus
    @Polyphemus

    EB (View Comment):
    There have been a few cases where a “zealous” prosecutor used the fact that the store had such a posted sign to claim that the person who defended themself was committing a crime and so could not use that defense.

    I wonder. Is it really against the law to carry into an establishment that says “No guns allowed”?  Is this covered under “trespassing”? If so, is it Criminal or Civil Trespassing? If civil, then I would worry a lot less about it. Even if Criminal I wonder if the crime comes when they ask you to leave and you refuse. 

    • #51
  22. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Polyphemus (View Comment):

    EB (View Comment):
    There have been a few cases where a “zealous” prosecutor used the fact that the store had such a posted sign to claim that the person who defended themself was committing a crime and so could not use that defense.

    I wonder. Is it really against the law to carry into an establishment that says “No guns allowed”? Is this covered under “trespassing”? If so, is it Criminal or Civil Trespassing? If civil, then I would worry a lot less about it. Even if Criminal I wonder if the crime comes when they ask you to leave and you refuse.

    The answers to all those questions will depend on which state you live in.

    • #52
  23. EB Thatcher
    EB
    @EB

    Joshua Bissey (View Comment):
    Which laws are those?

    Concealed carry laws in TX and FL that require a morning course in state law on the use of deadly force and an afternoon determining proficiency in operating a handgun.  I think those are reasonable and don’t infringe on anyone’s right.

    Having a gun in your home and having one openly in your transportation are a different matter.  

    I support 2nd Amendment rights, but acting as if having a gun in your pocket is no different than a pocket knife or nail clippers is wrong.  Guns injure or kill from a distance.  That’s why I have one.  If I were threatened, I won’t have to defend myself up close and personal from someone who likely has superior physical strength.  

    • #53
  24. EB Thatcher
    EB
    @EB

    Polyphemus (View Comment):

    EB (View Comment):
    There have been a few cases where a “zealous” prosecutor used the fact that the store had such a posted sign to claim that the person who defended themself was committing a crime and so could not use that defense.

    I wonder. Is it really against the law to carry into an establishment that says “No guns allowed”? Is this covered under “trespassing”? If so, is it Criminal or Civil Trespassing? If civil, then I would worry a lot less about it. Even if Criminal I wonder if the crime comes when they ask you to leave and you refuse.

    In Florida it is against the law to carry a weapon into a business that has posted such a sign.

    In one of the cases I read about, a person carrying was in a store that was being robbed.  That person used his gun and was later charged with using a gun during the commission of a crime (which was having a gun in the store.)

    EDIT: used his gun against the robber

    • #54
  25. Joshua Bissey Inactive
    Joshua Bissey
    @TheSockMonkey

    EB (View Comment):

    Joshua Bissey (View Comment):
    Which laws are those?

    Concealed carry laws in TX and FL that require a morning course in state law on the use of deadly force and an afternoon determining proficiency in operating a handgun. I think those are reasonable and don’t infringe on anyone’s right.

    Having a gun in your home and having one openly in your transportation are a different matter.

    I support 2nd Amendment rights, but acting as if having a gun in your pocket is no different than a pocket knife or nail clippers is wrong. Guns injure or kill from a distance. That’s why I have one. If I were threatened, I won’t have to defend myself up close and personal from someone who likely has superior physical strength

    Stad said he was in favor of “the sensible gun laws we have now,” by which I can only assume he meant the sort of laws you’re talking about. I think he’s doing what a lot of people do, which is to think of gun rights as things we haven’t tried before. In fact, most states allow open carry without a permit, and always have. There are plenty of states that have already allowed permit-free concealed carry for several years, and one that never outlawed it to begin with. Yet unregulated open carry has seldom been a problem (aside from people getting panicky about it), and no state that has legalized concealed carry (with or without a permit) has felt the need to clamp back down on it. In fact, laws in many states have gotten looser over time.

    So govt-required training doesn’t seem necessary. If it is a problem, shouldn’t it be taught in public schools? It wouldn’t take long.

    • #55
  26. Joshua Bissey Inactive
    Joshua Bissey
    @TheSockMonkey

    EB (View Comment):

    Polyphemus (View Comment):

    EB (View Comment):
    There have been a few cases where a “zealous” prosecutor used the fact that the store had such a posted sign to claim that the person who defended themself was committing a crime and so could not use that defense.

    I wonder. Is it really against the law to carry into an establishment that says “No guns allowed”? Is this covered under “trespassing”? If so, is it Criminal or Civil Trespassing? If civil, then I would worry a lot less about it. Even if Criminal I wonder if the crime comes when they ask you to leave and you refuse.

    In Florida it is against the law to carry a weapon into a business that has posted such a sign.

    In one of the cases I read about, a person carrying was in a store that was being robbed. That person used his gun and was later charged with using a gun during the commission of a crime (which was having a gun in the store.)

    EDIT: used his gun against the robber

    I guess that’s why Missouri law clarifies that permit-holders won’t be charged with a crime just for having their gun in a “gun-free zone.” Of course, if a permit-holder is asked to leave, and refuses, he can be liable to a trespassing charge.

    • #56
  27. PHenry Inactive
    PHenry
    @PHenry

    Joshua Bissey (View Comment):
    In fact, most states allow open carry without a permit,

    If you can’t open carry without a permit, you effectively can not own a gun without a permit.  Otherwise, how do you get it from the store to your home,  your home to the range, or to the woods for hunting!

    • #57
  28. Joshua Bissey Inactive
    Joshua Bissey
    @TheSockMonkey

    PHenry (View Comment):

    Joshua Bissey (View Comment):
    In fact, most states allow open carry without a permit,

    If you can’t open carry without a permit, you effectively can not own a gun without a permit. Otherwise, how do you get it from the store to your home, your home to the range, or to the woods for hunting!

    I believe the law usually differentiates between transportation and carry. Having an unloaded gun in a box, especially a locked box, especially if it’s disassembled, seems a lot different than “carry.”

    On the other hand, Californians used to be able to carry a handgun in a holster, so long as it was unloaded…

    • #58
  29. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    I don’t know the law about these things, but when it comes to fundamental rights like self-protection, the authorities have a need to know in my book of ethics. As in, they don’t need it. 

    I also think in most non-urban parts of the country, the rank and file law enforcement folks would either openly not cooperate with gun confiscation efforts, or drag their feet and be rather loose in their searches . . .

    • #59
  30. Fastflyer Inactive
    Fastflyer
    @Fastflyer

    Constitutional carry is great like we have in Arizona now, but I still get a concealed carry permit in order to carry in states that exercise reciprocity with Arizona. 

     

    • #60
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