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Getting a CCW Permit? Do This First . . .

May 25, 2017 | by

Getting a CCW Permit? Do This First . . .

Getting your CCW permit for the first time is a multi-faceted experience. There’s the personal freedom, the celebration of liberty, the deep sense of responsibility—and what may seem like an endless forest of legal and bureaucratic requirements. And Americans, as a species, are deeply suspicious if not resentful of officialdom. If you doubt this at all, just take a trip to the DMV or take a good look around your office come Tax Day.

But none of that should deter you from getting your concealed carry permit. If anything, it’s getting easier all the time in most states. However, before you take the plunge, there’s a bit of groundwork that has to be laid.  Let’s do this by the numbers:

1. Get your legal act in order.

Take the time to do the research, talk to an attorney, and figure out what you need to do to be legally eligible to carry. This includes learning what the application process will involve; it would be a pity to get most-of-the-way there and suddenly find yourself hung up on a foreseeable requirement.

2. Learn the relevant laws.

Learn the relevant laws both for your states and for states that honor your permit. Thankfully this information is easy to find, but you’re responsible for knowing it no matter where you find yourself, so make sure that you do.

3. Get your equipment in order.

We’ve discussed your different options for a CCW at length, so I won’t repeat all of that here. However, there’s more to a CCW than a firearm, ammo, and magazines (when applicable).  You’ll need a good-quality holster and belt, as well as clothing that facilitates concealed carry and rapid access to the weapon. The whole system has to work together, or it won’t work at all. Remember, you’re trusting your life to each component.

4. Practice makes perfect, so practice a lot.

Find a gun range near you and practice drawing, firing, and reloading your weapon.  Take a couple of classes for tactical firearms use. Read and learn as much as you can—it’ll pay off if and when the balloon goes up.  I suggest seriously considering some first aid training; again if the balloon flies you may need it.

5. Consider where you can carry, and what to do when you can’t.

It’s important to know your workplace’s rules about CCW, how to store one safely in a vehicle if you must, and what your other personal protection options are when you can’t legally carry.

6. Learn how to talk to the cops.

While there are a lot of great guidelines and articles online, it pays to get some professional advice. Ask your local sheriff’s office or police department, consult an instructor, and talk to an attorney. This is one of those moments when professional guidance pays off.

7. And finally, get your head right.

You’re taking on a huge responsibility in addition to a great deal of personal liberty, and you have to live up to both. CCW holders have a long tradition of being some of the kindest, most polite, and most law-abiding folks in the country. Make sure you that you meet this standard, each and every time.

I hope these guidelines make getting your CCW both easier and—dare I say—more enjoyable.  Let us know about your experiences in the comments section, and until then stay safe out there!

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  • christopher kelly police ret.

    pretty soon it will just be carry for all. you must not be on the list of felons,violence related domestics, mental impairment,3+ DWI. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GET A PERMIT, however if you carry and have this type of thing when the policeman runs your record with his computer you get arrested. Now just keep your nose clean and if you are legit you should never be able to be searched for any reason without proper grounds of search. WE must have guns in society on as many people as possible.

    • That is why no regulations are needed. Regardless of past, but in specifically applying to ex-cons who paid their time in prison. If you make it legal to shoot criminals, you eliminate the need for regulations. No charges for shooting a criminal, anytime, anywhere, will make probation people not do any other crimes. Solves the mentally deranged problem too, once killed, no more mental problems. The 2nd Amendment does not say UNLESS, it says “…shall not be infringed.”.
      The problem with criminality is easily solved in an armed populace IF we brake the CONTROL of government upon law abiding citizens & de-criminalize weapon ownership, carry & self defense uses. Current laws stand in the way of nature.

  • John H.

    Consult an attorney?!? Wow, and to think I just went down to the Sheriff’s office, filled out the application, gave my fingerprints and paid my fee. Every permit application I have ever seen has a list of questions such as “are you a convicted felon”. I just don’t see the need to consult an attorney if you just read the questions and answer honestly.

    • flagtrax

      Perhaps the consultation has more to do with your own legal liabilities. If you infact use your weapon to kill or injure, most likely a law suit will insue. What are you willing to risk?

      • John H.

        Do you consult an attorney when you purchase a vehicle or car insurance? You are more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident than a self defense shooting. What if you are found at fault in a vehicle accident where someone is killed or paralyzed? I just don’t see the need to consult an attorney to apply for a concealed pistol license.

    • There is more than felony convictions involved, you consult with your attorney on how to legally make yourself clear to pass the checks & not waste your application money.

      • It is easier to move to one of the states that don’t require a permit, like mine.

        • We lose one state, we lose them all, one by one, we need to learn to stand and fight again.
          In memory of Lavoy Finicum – Revolution Now !

          • We lost them all through ignorance of their relationship to the federal government.
            “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.” attributed to Thomas Jefferson

  • Tim Edmondson

    Yes get training & the right gun for you. Then learn the constitution & piss on the permit! The Definition a License is “A personal privilege to do some particular act or series of acts any personel belonging without possessing any estate or interest therein”, and is ordinarily revocable at the will of the licensor and is NOT assignable. The permission by competent authority to do an act which, without such permission, would be illegal TOTALLY or, a trespass, a tort, a clear violation of LAW and/or otherwise totally NOT ALLOWABLE UNDER ANY CONDITION!!! See People vs. Henderson, 391 Mich. 612, 218 N.W. 2nd 2 @4. A permit granted by an appropriate governmental body, generally for a consideration, A FEE, to a person, firm, or Corporation to pursue some occupation or to carry on some business subject to regulation under the POLICE POWER of Government. Please see 9th & 10th Amendments of THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. Pay special attention to the phrase “nor prohibited by it” or Rights previously guaranteed may not be enumerated away by addition onto the CONSTITUTION, or denied or disparaged away by adding onto it.

    DECIDE!!!

    NO STATE may convert a RIGHT into a PRIVILEGE and require a LICENSE or FEE for the exercise of that RIGHT!!! Please see MURDOCK vs. PENNSYLVANIA, 319 U.S. 105, and if a STATE does erroneously do require A LICENSE OR FEE for exercise of the RIGHT, the Citizen may IGNORE THE LICENSE AND OR FEE and exercise the RIGHT WITH TOTAL IMPUNITY!!! Please see SCHUTTLESWORTH vs. BIRMINGHAM 373 U.S. 262. YOU CAN NOT BE PUNISHED FOR THE EXERCISE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT!!! Please see MILLER vs. UNITED STATES 230 F.2nd 486. You have a PERFECT DEFENSE TO THE ELEMENT OF WILLFULLNESS if you rely on the advice of Counsel or upon a DECISION OF THE UNITED STATES.

    American Jurisprudence Book 16: Constitution Law Section 16Am Jur 2d:

    16Am Jur 2d., Sec. 97:

    “Then a constitution should receive a literal interpretation in favor of the Citizen, is especially true, with respect to those provisions which were designed to safeguard the liberty and security of the Citizen in regard to person and property.” Bary v. United States – 273 US 128

    “Any constitutional provision intended to confer a benefit should be liberally construed in favor in the clearly intended and expressly designated beneficiary”

    (You are the Beneficiary of the US Constitution)

    • Tim Edmondson

      anything in conflict with the constitution is null and void! ARTICLE 6 Paragraph 2 The supremacy clause & its already been established by the supreme court in Marberry VS. Maddison in 1803 volume 5 US page 137 By honorable judge john marshal chief justice supreme court! you can sue these cop’s & politicians for $10,000 for every right he broke!

      A necessary & properly armed militia can come to gather and decide to tell these politician’s that by breaking down our constitution your giving aid and comfort to the enemy of our country which is breaking the law title 18 of United states code section 2381 which say’s

      Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

      The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.

      Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death being hung by the neck at noon & shall remain there until dusk , or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. EVEN THE ARMS ACT, THE BRADY BILL AND ANY NEW LAWS ARE NULL & VOID!. NOW WHAT PART OF SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED DON’T THEY UNDERSTAND!

      • Tim Edmondson

        USA carry is part of the Problem

    • christopher kelly police ret.

      All I have to do is hit the lottery deal and I would put up the scraratch. some body has to figure how to get you out there. I am old ret cop former american intelligence agent -not analyst. you can do it. BALLS IS THE FACTOR AND i know by the creator you gotem.

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