Pros and cons of getting a CCW if you don't intend to carry

T

TearsOfRage

New member
Just for the sake of this discussion, let's assume I am not going to actually carry, at least not on a regular basis.

What are the pros and cons of having a permit anyhow? I recently moved to New Hampshire, where it is said to be easy to get one.

TOR
 
If you're not going to put a CCW to use, then getting the license is painting an unnecessary bullseye on your back.

If you get a license and use it, then you've (IMNSHO) just paid extortion. You would be asking permission to exercise a right.

If you carry w/out a license, you could end up on some DA's Sierra list.

Which path do you choose?
 
The only benefit would be the ability to buy a gun at an FFL even when the FBI shuts down NICS again.

Rick
 
I applied and got one, and I don't carry every day. I figured I better get one while I still could and so when the occaision calls for it, I don't have to worry about it.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
When your daughter moves back into the house and explains that her ex-SO is a complete freakcase out hunting her down with a chainsaw, you'll be all set to "lock'n'load".

If people in your line of work are starting to become specific criminal targets, you won't have to wait to legally pack.

If a riot breaks out in the next town over, and you volunteer to help out your brother-in-law defend his business, you're all set'n'ready.

Any number of things could make a person who doesn't otherwise pack have a sudden need to do so. When that need hits, you don't want to wait 90 days or whatever...

Jim
 
GET THE CCP! First you will get training, then you will want more. The more you know, the less you fear! My wife and I both got our's last year. Our thoughts were the same as Phil's, it is harder for them to take it away once you have it. I personally don't belive anyone should have to have the permit. In fact in our state it is legal to carry exposed, but we faced a situation of deciding if we wanted to leave a $1000 handgun on the dash of a car while we went into one of those "posted" places. We have a remote cabin and carry there for protection against drunken intruders and rabid animals. We were concerned about our trip to the cabin and didn't want to get busted for carrying conceiled if we put in where it wasn't seen. Another advantage in our state is on routine traffic stops. I was speeding a SP flew up behind me and I figured I was screwed, I slowed down and got the sweaty hand thing going. He was right on my bumper for about 2 minutes, then flew by and kept going. I am convinced when he did the tag check he learned I had a CCP. A week later Thomas Sowell (my favorite newspaper editor)noted the exact same situation that had happened to him. Maybe I am wrong but the benefits far outweigh the costs. P.S. I have decided to drive slower, it's not worth trying to remember all the rules I am suppose to follow when and if I ever do get pulled over. I feel a lot more confident about my ability to read a potentially dangerous situation, I am more aware and my wife and I are passing it on to our kids. This has now become a family activity. I have always said that we may have to be lambs of God but God didn't say we couldn't be Rams. I know in my heart that my children won't be "Sheeple" when they grow up. As far as the DA's sierra list, let em come, I am better prepared for that event today than I was a year ago. No Coinneach, that wasn't a slap, luv ya dude, just the truth.
 
I have been told (with no written confirmation or source) that the background investigation for CHL holders in Texas is the same as for our State Troopers.

The CHL is NOT a "get out of jail free" card. However, it *does* show the LEO that you are boringly straight! You are not behind on your taxes or even your child support. You have a clean record, etc. etc.

That's not a bad signal to give the LEO who just stopped you along the highway for doing something stupid.

The trade-off, of course, is you are now registered/licensed with the "state" as an American, ie a potential problem citizen (against tyranny).
 
Getting a CHL in NH is seriously trivial. I live in NY and got a NH CHL by mail for a few bucks.

Scenario 1: You don't have it.
One day you decide that it might be a good idea to carry concealed. Your choice is either don't or do so illegally.

Scenario 2: You do have it.
One day you decide that it might be a good idea to carry concealed. You stick the CHL in your wallet and your pistol in your pocket and head out.

Which scenario do you prefer?

Just get it. You're spending more energy thinking about getting it than you would spend just getting it.
 
I'm in Texas and while I dont carry on a daily basis, I CAN keep the weapon in my personal vehicle. I cant carry at work or in the workplace but this way I am able to keep it handy on the way to and from work.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RickD: The only benefit would be the ability to buy a gun at an FFL even when the FBI shuts down NICS again ...[/quote]I don't know how it is in other states but in Florida all NEW CWL-holders still have to go through the NICS but are not subject to a five-day waiting period as are people who don't have a CWL.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
AZ you bypass the background on purchase with CCW.With the feds keeping the info on who buys, this to me is important.They do not know how many guns I have just that I do have a gun.

------------------
beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
 
There is also an argument that my bosses wife brought to my attention. She plans on getting a CHL, and believes all non-anti citizens should, because it will be an increase in the total number issued state wide indicating a larger base of support for the law (even though we should all agree that the laws are not welcome).

It has also occurred to me that, given the potential (even though slight) for a CHL holder committing some offense, the statistical percentage of such occurences gets lower with each CHL issued making arguments against carry laws using license holder offenses as a basis seem trivial.

------------------
If you're not a little upset with the way the world is going, you're not paying attention.

[This message has been edited by John Marshall (edited June 16, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by beemerb:
AZ you bypass the background on purchase with CCW.With the feds keeping the info on who buys, this to me is important.They do not know how many guns I have just that I do have a gun.
[/quote]

You still have to fill out the yellow form, so the records are there. You just don't have to go through the background check.
 
Others have covered the downside of registering with the state. The future will tell us how bad that will be.

You can take CCW training and never apply. I've recommended that to a few people, because the cost is reasonable, and IMHO, the training is very helpful.

If you do get the permit, as noted above, it is easier and quicker to buy a gun. That is not a small consideration, especially with the BS being pulled on us lately by the Fed's fooling around with the NICS system. This is very, very helpful, .... assuming, again, that you are willing to register that purchase with the state (via the 4473).

Another advantage is if you get some LEO who has a hair up his ... pants. Perhaps your gun is in the wrong place in your vehicle, your shirt falls over the gun or there is some other cute way he / she can harass you (most don't, but if you get a rookie, or you're young, then you might get the wrong sort). If you've got the permit, then it makes it tougher for them to charge you with one of these BS victimless 'offenses'.

I decided to get a permit. There are two ways to go generally, in life ... keep your head down and your mouth shut, or expose your beliefs and argue your convictions. I chose the latter, mainly to try and persuade others of the logic and truth of the RKBA. Time will tell if that was a wise choice.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards from AZ
 
Get the permit to carry and stop worring.
I got mine in 1984.
When something bad happens, you grab your permit and you grab your sig sauer and
you have the security of being armed in
case of need.

I don't carry much but maybe 40 days out of the year, usually if I am going some place where I feel a potential for a problem might be a posibility....late at night...bad area....nobody around...that type of stuff.

Ask anyone that was at the (Rodney King) la riots in 1991 or 92, I ferget, but they will tell you that police were conspicious in the absence.

The cops called in sick, all of them,seems
they had the 24 hour yellow belly flu,
(read 30,000.oo a year is not worth dieing for)and left the citizens to fend for themselves.
I remember the story about the two gun shops in the riot area. The owner of the first shop
called the police concerned about his gun shop and the riots and was told to lock all his guns in the safe and lock up his shop and go home and go to bed. The police would
drive by his gun shop and keep an eye on things.
This gun shop owner did as he was told by the police and during the night, the rioters backed a pick up truck through the front wall
of his gun shop and filled the bed of the pick up with all the guns and ammo in the gun shop and then doused the shop in gasoline and lit it a fire to cover their tracks.
Even the guns in his safe were burned up.
His shop and the building it was in was a total loss and the gun shop owner did not have insurance coverage.
He listened to police and as a result , he was financelly wiped out & ruined.

The other gun shop owner, just two blocks away,got two 12 gague semi auto shotguns and two laser scopes, 2 folding chairs, a soda cooler and a friend, ordered some take out
food and spent the night up on the roof of the gun shop.

When the same gang of looters that burned down the other gun shop came to back their
pick up truck through the front wall of his gun shop,he fired two rounds of buckshot into
the tail gate of the pick up truck which
promptly stopped short of the front wall of the store.
The looting rioters got out of the truck
and the gun shop owner said,
" See those nice little red dots on your chests?" Thats where the bullets will hit if
we pull these triggers".I suggest that you
get back in your truck and leave while you still can and dont come back."

The robbers left and no one was hurt.They never came back.

This is a true story and is part of the
history of the LA riots.

[This message has been edited by ernest2 (edited June 16, 2000).]
 
Even if you don't plan on carrying, the big benefit of having your permit is that it gives you the option to do so whenever you need to do it, and without worry. Additionally, if you are stopped for some incident like speeding and the cop finds out you have guns in the car or on your person, say because you were going to the range or whereever, having the permit will help to alleviate some of the perceived suspicions the cop may have about you. You still get the speeding ticket, but at least the cop won't spend a lot of time calling in serial numbers to find out if the guns you have are stolen or checking your car for drugs because you happen to be carrying guns.
 
Get it. I have an article coming out telling one why you should get it.

Can't scoop myself - so I will post the info about it when it does appear.

Don't worry about registration, if it comes to that, you are already on the lists.
 
RING! RING!

"Hello, who is this? It's three in the morning!"

"Dad, it's me, your daughter. I got lost downtown and my car's broke down. I'm glad I have the cell phone because I don't dare get out of the car. Every street corner is crowded with drunks, pimps, crack dealers and guys in gang colors. Please come get me because... huh? Dad? ... I can't... phone battery's going.... hello?....Daddy!... <static>"

Does this answer the question?
 
The one time I had to stop in a baaaaaad neighborhood because of engine trouble (I keep my car up better these days) was on my way back from trap shooting. I was nice to know that my riot gun, ten rounds of buck, ten slugs and a .38 with spare speedloaders were available...just in case. As it happened, no one hassled me other than asking for money twety times in a row and "not hearing" my NO. Of course, my guns had to stay in the trunk of the car, unloaded...no carry for us peons in People's Republic of Minnesota (metro area, anyway...up north things are different).
 
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