CCL on the way. Questions from a first timer..

M

marlboroman84

New member
Ok. For those of you that have been there, I need some answers on a few things. I would prefer lawyers or people that have actually dealt with the following situations, but relevant offerings from everyone will be gladly accepted. As per the great state of Tennessee I have completed my handgun safety course,paid my fees,gotten fingerprinted,filled out my forms,sold my soul,and waited like a good little boy. Now comes the important questions.
1.Is it necessary to go to the range and qualify with an instructor on every handgun I might carry? Tennessee does not require this, but I keep being told if I ever shoot someone the fact that I did not qualify with that specific firearm could be used against me. True or untrue?

2.What is the best way to go about finding an attorney to represent me should the worst ever happen?

I'm pretty much set on everything else such as holsters, concealment garments, mindset of carrying a gun,etc. I just want some valid advice on the above topics. Also I know this was brought up in a thread a few months back, but I gotta ask this, not because I'm gonna buy one and go play super-citizen-cop or anything, but has anyone actually bought and used one of those badges from the back of the gun mags? You know the one that says Concealed Weapons Permit and is like 39 bucks? Jut curious if there is even a valid use for one of those besides pretending you're a cop. Thanks in advance guys and gals. Chuck
 
1.Is it necessary to go to the range and qualify with an instructor on every handgun I might carry? Tennessee does not require this, but I keep being told if I ever shoot someone the fact that I did not qualify with that specific firearm could be used against me. True or untrue?
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That's silly. The only time that could come into play is if you accidentally shot someone and it could be shown that you didn't know how to properly operate the pistol. If you shoot someone intentionally, then the issue is if the shooting was justified or not. If your scenario is true, then I pity the fool who never played baseball as a kit but who later defended himself with a baseball bat... it could be shown that he wasn't "properly trained" to use the bat as a self defense weapon. ;)
My brother is an attorney, and I can tell you that even he laughs at some of this kind of PC stuff that comes up.

2.What is the best way to go about finding an attorney to represent me should the worst ever happen?
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Any criminal attorney should have some experience at putting together a self-defense defense assuming that the DA presses murder charges against you.
Try Johnny Cochran; I hear that he's a whiz at getting people off of "murder" charges. :D
I'm sure by now since you've just taken your CCW class, you have heard that "The first bullet costs you $100,000". That's probably true although I hope to never have to find out for myself.

Carter
 
PLEASE - NO BADGES !!! You're not a cop , don't even think of a badge. What you should do is get the very best training you can find regardless of what is legally required. You should be able to qualify with any gun you might carry ,otherwise what good is the gun to you ?
 
Texas laws

In Texas, if you qualify for your CHL with a revolver, you can only carry a revolver. If you qualify with a Semi-Automatic, you can carry either.
 
TN you just have to shoot the target 50 times and hit the black (on the man-sized target) I believe it's 45/50 though it might be as low as 40/50. It doesn't matter what gun you use, you can still carry whatever. I had a friend of mine who asked his instructor that and the response was "just bring whatever to shoot." My friend borrowed another friend's tricked out ruger mk3 :D
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to find a lawyer right now to go have a face-to-face with, i'm planning on taking some more training when I get more money (it's expensive), and the only way I'm carrying a badge is if the Shelby County Sheriff's office gives me one (trying to get on reserves). My biggest issue now is I need a good holster for my XD. I can't really find alot out there for my body size. I don't like IWB all that much, but an OWB needs to fit close to the body for concealed carry. Any thoughts?
 
1.Is it necessary to go to the range and qualify with an instructor on every handgun I might carry? Tennessee does not require this, but I keep being told if I ever shoot someone the fact that I did not qualify with that specific firearm could be used against me. True or untrue?
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Practice never hurts, it may be what keeps you out of court for hitting a bystander. You have to qualify in Texas to get and keep your CHL. All they post is pass or fail on your papers, no score is included. Our local law enforcement pretty much does the same thing on qualification. Once you fire your weapon there is always the possibility of charges even if it was justified.
Just be familiar with the use of deadly force laws in your state. In Texas if you are afraid for your life or another's life and imminent harm or death are a possibility you are justified in using deadly force. There are aslo some other crimes such as arson and others that deadly force can be used.

Just remember you are responsible for where that bullet goes and ends up at.
 
When I took the class in TN, the instructor said that you should qualify with the largest caliber you can handle. I shoot a 41 mag a lot, but I just could not see qualifying with that cannon. I chose a 357 mag revolver; GP100 to be exact even though I don't shoot it as well as my other 357's or 41mags.

The instructor said that in a criminal case where you were involved in a shooting, that the opposing attorney will check to see what you qualified with. No it is not necessary to qualify with every gun you might shoot. The idea is that you are likely to be capable with any caliber smaller than the one you qualified with. But there is no state requirement. In fact, you can qualify with a 22LR.

I have also heard that if you qualify with an auto, the competency with a revolver is assumed. I view it as just the opposite as I shoot the autos better and faster for the most part in a defensive situation. This is the Texas thing that is already mentioned.

If you remember when you filled out your paper work, the person did record the firearm that you qualified with. At the moment, the information is not used for anything; but that could change such as the Texas thing. I would rather not have to qualify with another gun just because of cost. Like I said, qualification would have been a lot easier with one of my Glock 40's.

Attorney; I would ask your attorney for a referral. My wife's friend's son is the assistant DA in Memphis. Sounds funny. But that is the connection. I feel sure I could call him and ask any question.
 
hey 22-rimfire i sent you a pm give me a shout back.Thanks to everyone else as well for the advice info. This is the kind of thread response that I think makes the mods happier lol. Chuck
 
Also I know this was brought up in a thread a few months back, but I gotta ask this, not because I'm gonna buy one and go play super-citizen-cop or anything, but has anyone actually bought and used one of those badges from the back of the gun mags? You know the one that says Concealed Weapons Permit and is like 39 bucks? Jut curious if there is even a valid use for one of those besides pretending you're a cop.
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Nope, no valid reason. If a cop catches you with one in your wallet your going to have a lot of explaining to do, to keep yourself out of the klink.
 
Marlboroman,

Ok. First off, when you ask for a lawyer, and a lawyer answers, there are ethical implications involved for the lawyer. So, before I say anything, let me say:
1. I'm not a lawyer (not for 4 more weeks!).
2. I'm NOT YOUR lawyer.
3. I'm not giving you legal advice. If you want legal advice, talk to a REAL lawyer. (Or, pay me LOTS of money, in about 4 weeks!!!)

That said, let's get down to brass-tax!

Thing ONE: My Martial Arts Master tells me that when he was in the service (the '80's and '90's sometime...) that Tennessee had a rule that you had to qualify on EACH gun you owned. The powers that be quickly decided that this was a stupid rule, and now, you can qualify on a rental gun if you want to. Just qualify, and you can carry anything after that.

Thing TWO: The best way to go about finding an attorney is to contact the Tennessee Bar Association, and use the free attorney-referral service. (There's a name for the attorney-referral service, and I can't for the life of me remember it right now...) What I usually tell people to do is to research the officers of the Tennessee Bar Association, and find out who among them is a criminal defense lawyer. Then, call them and tell them what you need. Ask if an appointment is necessary, or if you can just swing by and get a business card. KEEP THE BUSINESS CARD IN YOUR WALLET, BEHIND YOUR CCW PERMIT!

Thing THREE: The badges in the back of the magazines... NO! There is NO legitimate use for these. In fact, if they are not ACTUALLY illegal, then they are a REALLY bad idea. They tend to show that you have been passing yourself off as a law enforcement officer! Remember, juries HATE vigilantes! Don't look like one.

Thing FOUR: Holsters for your XD. First, congradulations on selecting a proper firearm! XD's are great. But, you really NEED to get an IWB if you're going to conceal carry. OWB's simply DON'T conceal well. Or, if they do, it's because you've put on big, long clothing. Last Saturday, I wore my IWB for my 1911, and concealed it under my jeans and a T-shirt. No kidding, the IWB's WORK for concealment.

IWB's are bloody uncomfortable! That's just the facts of it. I've got a Milt Sparks IWB (one of the best IWB's you can buy), and it was STILL uncomfortable when I first started wearing it. But, you'll get used to having it on, and before you know it, you won't even know it's there.

Congradulations on your CCW, and good luck getting into the swing of conceal-carry!
 
Thanks Samurai! Yea I knew you didn't have to qualify on every gun, it was just something the range recommended. I'll definitely call the bar and find an attorney that way if you move to memphis let me know lol. As far as the badges I'm not gonna buy one at all I plan to get mine from the Shelby County Sheriff's Dept. Lastly, I guess I will look into IWB, I'd rather have a 1911 for IWB, but my XD will work for now. I just hate having to buy bigger pants, and pulling a shirt out of the way to draw etc. Since it's getting cooler I'll probably just use OWB under a jacket until I get more comfortable carrying. Thanks for the reply!
 
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