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Why You Should Get A Concealed Carry Permit

September 26, 2016 | by

People who own and carry firearms are often at odds philosophically over a number of things, among which is the requirement to get a concealed carry permit. Many feel that constitutional carry is the only acceptable law regarding the carrying of firearms. Comments like “the Second is MY permit!” and memes saying same are very common.

However, there are a number of reasons why a person should get a concealed carry permit. This isn’t to say that licensing requirements are perfect; far from it. It isn’t to say that constitutional carry isn’t a good idea; permitless carry is a good idea and the Constitution doesn’t mention needing a permit to have a gun. It IS to say that there are benefits of having the license that permitless carry, at present, does not confer.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity (Mostly) Doesn’t Exist Without A Permit

concealed carry permit
First among the reasons why a person should get their permit is that there is virtually no concealed carry reciprocity for those who are legally carrying without a permit. At present, fewer than ten states allow permitless carry outside of one’s home or place of business by those legally allowed to possess firearms.

However, not all of the permitless carry states allow non-residents to carry without a permit. Arizona, for instance, requires non-residents to have a permit, as do Wyoming and Mississippi.

Outside of these states, a person is required to have a valid permit to concealed carry outside of their place of work or residence. Therefore, in order to carry in most U.S. states besides one’s state of residence, one must have a concealed carry permit reciprocated with or recognized by the state they wish to carry in.

Whilst, to many, the imposition of needing a permit is an intrusion and a burden upon the rights of citizens, the fact is that it remains the law of the land. Unless a person is never going to leave their home state, or is only planning to do so without their concealed carry gun, a permit is going to be required.

Background Checks Exist For A Reason

concealed carry license
In many states, a concealed carry permit serves as a background check for firearm purchases. This is because getting the permit meets the legal requirements for purchasing a gun, be it a long gun or handgun.

This isn’t to say that permitless carry would arm criminals; permitless carry only affects CARRYING a gun, not buying one. Provided, of course, one stays within legal channels.

However, a permit allows for anyone concerned – other citizens, law enforcement and so on – that the person carrying the gun is a legal owner and carrier.

This isn’t to say, of course, that people should get a permit just for the sake of proving that they have a legal right to keep and bear arms. It is instead to say that it demonstrates that a person is lawfully in possession of firearms for all interested parties.

Lawful Gun Owners Pride Themselves On Being Law Abiding

concealed carry
If there is one thing that all lawful gun owners and concealed carriers pride themselves on, it’s being law-abiding. It is generally held that a person holding a license and concealed carrying is likely to be more law-abiding than most. Whether that’s true or not is a discussion for another time, but it’s commonly assumed to be.

That isn’t to say that permitless carry isn’t desirable or people who lawfully do so aren’t as law-abiding as people with permits. That’s not the case.

Taking the time and expense shows that a person is willing to do as much as possible to live within the letter and the spirit of the law. It would be very hard for anyone’s character to be assailed in this area if a person can demonstrate how willing they are to comply with the law.

However, it’s all up to the individual carrier, and if there’s no practical purpose (such as getting a permit for the sake of reciprocity) then it’s really only something one would do for the sake of appearances.

Hopefully, one day the law of the land will be constitutional carry. Requiring a permit for something that is otherwise a right is tantamount to imposing a tax on a person exercising their rights, just because the right in question happens to not inspire the enthusiasm of some of our fellow citizens.

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  • Frank-o

    The dude in the picture needs a different holster – that hammer has to be uncomfortable digging into his back. Anyway, you make some good points.

    • stateofjackson

      That is not the hammer.

    • Earlybird

      It’s a beavertail but none the less it would get old fast.

  • Mike .

    Missouri becomes Constitutional Carry on Jan 1, 2017.

  • Anvil6

    When States pass “Constitutional Carry” laws, they are based on provisions IN THEIR STATES’ CONSTITUTION that refer to the RIGHT to carry IN THAT INDIVIDUAL STATE – NOT on the Second Amendment to the US Constitution.

    Since those State Constitutions are each written differently, SOME states interpret that RIGHT to apply ONLY to THEIR OWN citizens, while other states – such as West Virginia – extend that right to ANYONE age 21 or older who either legally resides in the US or is a US Citizen AND is not prohibited by either FEDERAL or STATE Law from possessing a firearm (yet there ARE state carry permits they do NOT recognize – an oddity that MAY get corrected in a future legislative session).

    Personally, I’d like to keep the FEDS fingers OUT OF the ‘reciprocity cookie jar’ – one only has to look at the ‘reciprocity mess’ the US Department of Transportation has made of commercial drivers licenses, regulating who can drive with what, where, for how long and introducing expensive layers of useless bureaucracy.

  • Reloader54

    I live in Arizona. And it is one of now 11 Constitutional Carry States. And I did get a Carry permit even though I don’t need one. I got it because if and when I travel I would want to carry where I’m going. So I got a carry permit. And since I’ve gotten my permit I’ve been to GA twice and I was able to carry while I was there with no problems. And this was why I got my carry permit so that I could carry when I travel. I also made sure that I was able to carry in GA by looking up GA’s gun laws and to see if they recognized my AZ carry permit. Which they do. And it’s also the responsibly of the gun owner to make sure that they know the gun laws for not only their home state but also the gun laws for the states that they will be going through and staying in. That way you won’t have any problems while you’re traveling.

    • jhorenka

      Reloaded – Not spam. Firearm Legal Protection, and there are other providers, is where I have my firearm insurrance and they have a real handy app that provides the firearm laws for each state. It’s called My FLP at Play Store.

      JMHO but everyone that carries should have legal Protection insurance. If your ever involved in a shooting you’re going to need a lawyer…

  • VT Patriot

    Living in VT (constitutional carry state) there is no permit or process. As such, I can not apply for non-resident carry permits. I would be illegal in most states that would require me to have a permit from my home state. So what do I do??

    • Anvil6

      IIRC Florida DOES issue non-resident permits to residents of states that issue no permits. The website www dot handgunlaw dot us is a good starting point. Click Florida on the map and follow the links to get more information. Sadly, most of your neighboring states in the NE honor no permits except their own.
      Vermont Residents can carry in the states of Arizona, Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi and Oklahoma and West Virginia with just their state Issued Drivers License or State issued ID if they are 21 Years of age and can legally own a firearm.

    • Earlybird

      Apply for a permit in another state, but choose a state that has reprocity with as many states as you can.

  • qbunny

    If the 2nd amendment does not allow me to carry a weapon, what exactly is the second amendment for? What right is the second amendment giving me? By getting a permit, aren’t you giving up your second amendment right? Don’t we have a duty to ignore laws that force a fee on us for a permit? We should never be charged for getting a concealed weapon permit. We should not be forced to get a permit to be legal in the first place but certainly should not be charged for it. I need this explained in detail because I still do not know why anyone needs a permit.

    • Anvil6

      The “2d Amendment” refers to the US Constitution and establishes limits on permissible actions the FEDERAL Government may take.

      What it does NOT do is: 1. Prohibit STATE Government, Corporations or Private entities from taking actions “the Feds” are prohibited from taking – EXCEPT when “the courts” decide differently; 2. “GIVE” any ‘right to bear’ arms – it merely AFFIRMS the pre-existing right to defend oneself, WITH ARMS.

      You need a permit to bear arms because your STATE says so! As do most other states you might travel thru.

      Our “duty” is to CHANGE STUPID LAWS, not to personally break the law and suffer a prison sentence. Start small: Divert (increasing) part(s) of the permit fee to support public shooting ranges; reduce the permit fees; when ‘the man’ complains the (proposed) fees are insufficient to process the applications and check backgrounds as needed, point out it’s the same background check as NICS to buy a gun, so WHY DO WE STILL NEED PERMITS; then amend the proposed law to keep ‘the man’ from losing all that money because they had to process permits (PROVE your willingness to preserve their financial bottom line)!

      BEFORE YOU START: Identify and REMOVE FROM OFFICE key anti-gun legislators (committee chairs, majority/minority “whips”, etc.). Yeah, it takes a LOT of effort and time but it’s worth it ‘for the children’ and for their children.

      • qbunny

        Thanks! Will do. I still think many people do not have the money to go through a training program and then an application process and all the fees that go along with both. For my county, its going to be about $200 for everything, maybe more. Maybe it should be on the “to do” list but meanwhile carry a weapon…always. If you have to defend yourself or your family (and save their life) well, whatever put me in jail for not having a permit. Lets face it, the permit issue is completely about money and control. We all know the government is corrupt to the core and could care less about everyday people. They prove that daily. Permits are yet another way to squeeze us and control us. Its also a really good idea to have guns that are not linked to your name. And a pile of ammo. I do appreciate the response. Very helpful. Thank you.

        • Anvil6

          You’re right about affordability, especially the young non-professional working family with children wherein BOTH adults should be carrying to have protection available when and where needed. State laws on use of deadly force vary even more from state to state than do ‘gun laws’.

          Bottom line: IF you’re going to use deadly force (from bare hands to a howitzer) to protect yourself or other innocents, you need to understand EXACTLY the conditions under which the law WHERE YOU STAND permits deadly force, then ask yourself both “is deadly force justified under the law” and “do I HAVE TO use deadly force RIGHT NOW”.

          Later, you may be asked to defend your choice to use deadly force (instead of a less-lethal option) in a court proceeding. The further the evidence deviates from what the law allows and from what you can articulate the SITUATION DEMANDED, the more legal trouble you are in.

          Don’t just train to shoot – train to know when you HAVE TO shoot.

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