Does Your State Question You Age & Ability to Carry?

L

lamarw

New member
I am not aware my State does, but I do wonder like the ability to drive if it is a valid concern.

I am 65, my hearing is bad, my eye sight is bad but correctible to drive, I think my judgement is good, but where and what is the level of competence.

Is it tested? Do you think you will know when you should not carry or willing to do so? How about locked and loaded? What are the measurements?

If we live long enough (God Willing) will we become a dependent upon our family and even in assisted living and should we still have acess to a gun like the example of a minor?

Do you trust your personal judgement as to when you become a menace to society by carrying a loaded gun?

This is a question beyond the ability to drive.
 
In Arizona, there is no longer a requirement for an individual to obtain a CC permit. However, there are certain restrictions that apply to non-permit holders as opposed to those that have taken the CCW class and have a permit.

An example - I took the CCW class last winter here in AZ. As a permit holder, I can carry in to a bar, BUT, I cannot drink. Someone who CC but does not have a permit, CANNOT carry in to a bar.

As far as the qualifications that you are questioning - age, eyesight, etc. For the class, we had 8 hours of instruction - mainly reviewing laws, etc. and then we had to "qualify" at the range. We each had to fire about 50 rounds. If you had problems with hitting the target - the instructors worked with you. Some did not have their own weapon, etc. Inl the class of about 35 to 40, I would say the average age was between 55 to 65. AZ is a "retirement" state after all. Personally, I am a diabetic, I do have some vision problems due to past laser treatment but I have no problems in shooting both pistol and rifle. I do not consider myself a "crack shot" but with the instructor watching over my shoulder as I qualified, she made the remark that if she ever got in to a gun fight, she hoped that I would be there to back her up. The applications for the CCW ask the usual - DOB, physical description, etc. The application is sent in to the Dept. of Public Safety which runs a criminal background check along with our fingerprints which were taken by one of the instructors. I was surprised as I received my permit card - good for I believe 5 years at which time it can be renewed by mail, within a week. The instructors were very helpful to those that had some difficulty in their marksmanship and spent extra time with them. At the end of the class, no one failed.

To address your one question - as to when you know it is time not to carry. In my case, I'm 60. I don't feel comfortable about just sending money in in another five years and getting an automatic renewal. Not that I question myself but because laws change and you need to keep current. I will probably take the CCW class every couple of years just to keep up with the laws, etc. I am partially deaf in one ear, have some vision problems but can still drive and practice shooting frequently. Practice, practice and more practice is part of the secret to being competent. I am of sound mind as well. As far as "when" should a person stop carrying? I honestly believe that each person has to decide that for themselves but when it is time, you will just know. In the winter, I'm about 45 miles north of the border. You would be surprised how many "elderly" gentlemen I see carrying - many times open carrying. I'm talking gentlemen who are in their mid to late 80s. After all, if they are mentally sharp and practice shooting (which I'm sure many do) and are physically able to get around and drive, why shouldn't they? After all, the elderly are the most vulnerable for being victims of crime.

Your post is a good one with some very valid questions/observations. :)
 
Do you trust your personal judgement as to when you become a menace to society by carrying a loaded gun?
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Who else's judgement would I trust: some petty government bureaucrat? There are no rights without responsibilities, and that includes the right to keep and bear arms.
 
Do you trust your personal judgement as to when you become a menace to society by carrying a loaded gun?
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Some do; some don't. The question is: are we willing to involve the government in that decision? What would be the criteria? Who enforces it, and where does it end?

The right to bear arms in self defense is a fundamental right, unlike driving, so questions of limiting it must be approached with great care.
 
From what I've seen and based on the CC course I took, nobody questions your ability in Wisconsin. As long as you pass the background check, can show up for the training class and look like you can shoot the gun in the correct direction you're good to go. You can bypass the training course altogether if you can provide proof of hunter training, military training w/ handguns, etc no matter how far back it was. So I'm sure we have plenty of older people who are carrying but really can't physically defend themselves anymore. Some of the ones I've seen at the range would never be quick or strong enough to defend themselves against a younger guy who would almost certainly be able to take them out before they could react. But none of that has anything to do with a persons right to at least attempt to defend themselves including carying a handgun.
 
Too old to carry???

I took my first CHL class as soon a TX passed the bill (1996). I shot a 249 (possible 250) when we went to the range. Since then I have shot 250 each time I have requalified (4 times). I am 71 years old, I go to the range at least once a month with friends and hunt deer, hogs, dove and varmints with a rifle, shotguns and handguns. I hope to keep shooting until the Good Lord takes me home - whenever that is. I think I will know when to hang them up just as I did my motorcycle last year. Not so much as to my lack of abilities but those people in their cars were getting more stupid. :mad:

Semper Fi
 
Why would you want someone trying to tell you your life is no longer valuable?

WA says that to get a CPL you need to be 21, not a felon, and not criminally insane. Fill out the paper and pay the minor fee. Unlicensed OC is always an option if you don't want to pay the fee.

It is the responsibility of the person that wishes to carry what, and/or how much training/if any they think they need. I think we actually have fewer problems than most states because the personal responsibility is up front.

You go to the Sheriff, fill out the paperwork (one page) pay your fee, get electronically fingerprinted and they hand you a small pamphlet with all the firearms laws along with the strong suggestion...read it, learn it, remember it. Your permit shows up in the mail in a few days (no more than 30 days)
 
Some States have no training or competence requirement for a weapons permit. Some have minimal requirements. Some permit open carry, or both open and concealed carry, without a permit. And even in those States with a training requirement, the training is minimal.

I'd rather not have the government telling us we must have training. On the other hand, in my view the wise and responsible gun owner will voluntarily get sufficient training, and practice regularly, to be both safe and proficient.

One may legally be able to carry with little or no training, but if someone makes that choice, don't expect me to congratulate him for it.
 
In Texas you must pass a background check, take a class, and pass an easy shooting test. Age is only that you must be 21 or older. No maximum age. Eyesight and hearing are not tested. No physical is required. The shooting test is not hard to pass at all. That would be the only test of physical ability that is checked by Texas.

Here are the actual requirements for a Texas CHL. It does mention in detail the mental health issues that would disqualify someone.

GC §411.172. ELIGIBILITY. (a) A person is eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:
(1) is a legal resident of this state for the six-month period preceding the date of application under this subchapter or is otherwise eligible for a license under Section 411.173(a);
(2) is at least 21 years of age;
(3) has not been convicted of a felony;
(4) is not charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense, or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense, or of a felony under an information or indictment;
(5) is not a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense;
(6) is not a chemically dependent person;
(7) is not incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun;
(8) has not, in the five years preceding the date of application, been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense;
(9) is fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun;
(10) has not been finally determined to be delinquent in making a child support payment administered or collected by the attorney general;
(11) has not been finally determined to be delinquent in the payment of a tax or other money collected by the comptroller, the tax collector of a political subdivision of the state, or any agency or subdivision of the state;
(12) is not currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting the spousal relationship, other than a restraining order solely affecting property interests;
(13) has not, in the 10 years preceding the date of application, been adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony; and
(14) has not made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any material fact, in an application submitted pursuant to Section 411.174.
(b) For the purposes of this section, an offense under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States is:
(1) except as provided by Subsection (b-1), a felony if the offense, at the time the offense is committed:
(A) is designated by a law of this state as a felony;
(B) contains all the elements of an offense designated by a law of this state as a felony; or
(C) is punishable by confinement for one year or more in a penitentiary; and
TEXAS CONCEALED HANDGUN LAWS 5
(2) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is not a felony and confinement in a jail other than a state jail felony facility is affixed as a possible punishment.
(b-1) An offense is not considered a felony for purposes of Subsection (b) if, at the time of a person's application for a license to carry a concealed handgun, the offense:
(1) is not designated by a law of this state as a felony; and
(2) does not contain all the elements of any offense designated by a law of this state as a felony.
(c) An individual who has been convicted two times within the10-year period preceding the date on which the person applies for a license of an offense of the grade of Class B misdemeanor or greater that involves the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a statutory element of the offense is a chemically dependent person for purposes of this section and is not qualified to receive a license under this subchapter. This subsection does not preclude the disqualification of an individual for being a chemically dependent person if other evidence exists to show that the person is a chemically dependent person.
(d) For purposes of Subsection (a)(7), a person is incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun if the person:
(1) has been diagnosed by a licensed physician as suffering from a psychiatric disorder or condition that causes or is likely to cause substantial impairment in judgment, mood, perception, impulse control, or intellectual ability;
(2) suffers from a psychiatric disorder or condition described by Subdivision (1) that:
(A) is in remission but is reasonably likely to redevelop at a future time; or
(B) requires continuous medical treatment to avoid redevelop-ment;
(3) has been diagnosed by a licensed physician, determined by a review board or similar authority, or declared by a court to be incompetent to manage the person's own affairs; or
(4) has entered in a criminal proceeding a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
(e) The following constitutes evidence that a person has a psychiatric disorder or condition described by Subsection (d)(1):
(1) involuntary psychiatric hospitalization;
(2) psychiatric hospitalization;
(3) inpatient or residential substance abuse treatment in the preceding five-year period;
(4) diagnosis in the preceding five-year period by a licensed physician that the person is dependent on alcohol, a controlled substance, or a similar substance; or
(5) diagnosis at any time by a licensed physician that the person suffers or has suffered from a psychiatric disorder or condition consisting of or relating to:
(A) schizophrenia or delusional disorder;
(B) bipolar disorder;
(C) chronic dementia, whether caused by illness, brain defect, or brain injury;
6 TEXAS CONCEALED HANDGUN LAWS
(D) dissociative identity disorder;
(E) intermittent explosive disorder; or
(F) antisocial personality disorder.
(f) Notwithstanding Subsection (d), a person who has previously been diagnosed as suffering from a psychiatric disorder or condition described by Subsection (d) or listed in Subsection (e) is not because of that disorder or condition incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun if the person provides the department with a certificate from a licensed physician whose primary practice is in the field of psychiatry stating that the psychiatric disorder or condition is in remission and is not reasonably likely to develop at a future time.
(g) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(2), a person who is at least 18 years of age but not yet 21 years of age is eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:
(1) is a member or veteran of the United States armed forces, including a member or veteran of the reserves or national guard;
(2) was discharged under honorable conditions, if discharged from the United States armed forces, reserves, or national guard; and
(3) meets the other eligibility requirements of Subsection (a) except for the minimum age required by federal law to purchase a handgun.
(h) The issuance of a license to carry a concealed handgun to a person eligible under Subsection (g) does not affect the person's ability to purchase a handgun or ammunition under federal law.
 
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