CCW and YOU

[E.D. Montechizuma]

A while back I was thinking about Starting the long and argues process of getting a CCW in CA. Time went on, I really thought about it, one thing led to another, I researched it and... I didn't get it.

Primarily, first I'm thinking... well my town is quite safe....real safe. How much do I have to fear?
Now beyond that theres another concern of can I as an individual be completely responsible with the way I carry in public? Will I have the right judgment of when to use my gun? How can I make sure that no bystanders will get hurt if the worst happened? Will I be able to hold back irrational emotions and focus if a loved one is threatened? Am I mentally prepared to carry?

So, my question to those of you who have CCW's ( or just carry anyways) is, how...how did you get yourself ready to take the steps to get to the responsibility needed of carrying in public? And If you have been carrying for a while, how long did it take to develop the responsibility's of carrying as second-nature?

Just looking for some advice and thoughts please.

[COBRADOC]

E. D., you are over-analyzing. If you are going to feel guilty about carrying, and have to see your shrink about it, then don’t go to the trouble. You get a CCW and you carry as insurance, just as you buy insurance for you house or your car. You have it to protect yourself but hope that you will never have to use it.

As far as carrying without a permit, that depends on the laws of your state. If carrying concealed without a permit is unlawful in California, which I suspect that it is, then do not carry without a permit unless you want to go to jail, even if you use the weapon in self-defense. Should there ever be a situation where your possession of a weapon is questionable, the CCW will almost always weigh the situation in your favor.

How do I feel about carrying? Protected!!

[Give 'em Hell®]

E. D., you are over-analyzing.

I agree.

Taking additional self-defense handgun courses will better prep you on carrying, especially on having a warrior/peace maker's mindset.

[Joe Garibaldi]

-- "Primarily, first I'm thinking... well my town is quite safe....real safe. How much do I have to fear?" --

Fear should not be the motivating factor, security and responsibility should be. No matter how safe your town may be, it doesn't apply universally . . . to your house, your wife, your children. No matter your town, take a look at your state's state's sex offender registry (usually available by zip code). NO ONE whose ever done that has ever felt better.

As for your concerns about your personal ability to handle the responsibility, well, that's up to you. If you didn't grow up around firearms and have the safety practicies drilled deep in your skull, then either read up or take a class, but, beyond that, PRACTICE. No amount of reading or classes makes up for it.

An easy way is to carry around your house on evenings and weekends, with your weapon of choice (or a dummy or an air-soft) carried the way you'd intend to under CCW. If you carry a real weapon, have the magazine loaded with (ONLY) snap-caps. That way, you get realistic action, without the real projectile.

All the thinking and studying in the world won't replace, nor surpass, the tactile aspect of carrying. And this is a way to approximate carrying without risk. Work your way up carefully.

[E.D. Montechizuma]

-- "Primarily, first I'm thinking... well my town is quite safe....real safe. How much do I have to fear?" --

Fear should not be the motivating factor, security and responsibility should be. No matter how safe your town may be, it doesn't apply universally . . . to your house, your wife, your children. No matter your town, take a look at your state's state's sex offender registry (usually available by zip code). NO ONE whose ever done that has ever felt better.

As for your concerns about your personal ability to handle the responsibility, well, that's up to you. If you didn't grow up around firearms and have the safety practicies drilled deep in your skull, then either read up or take a class, but, beyond that, PRACTICE. No amount of reading or classes makes up for it.

An easy way is to carry around your house on evenings and weekends, with your weapon of choice (or a dummy or an air-soft) carried the way you'd intend to under CCW. If you carry a real weapon, have the magazine loaded with (ONLY) snap-caps. That way, you get realistic action, without the real projectile.

All the thinking and studying in the world won't replace, nor surpass, the tactile aspect of carrying. And this is a way to approximate carrying without risk. Work your way up carefully.

I can see how the responsibility of protecting my family would defiantly be a motivating factor. (I'm oblivious to it as of now, kind of lack a family to protect) Sex offender registry, yeah I found people around, (luckily none in my immediate neighborhood) It is a tragic reality.

I really like your idea of the dummy air softs or the snap-caps for practicing concealed carry and of course, practice. Safety comes naturally for the most part now, but everyone can use practice, especially for situations regarding CCW which will be new to me. This is something that I will seek training on. I usually don't carry much of anything in my pockets or any ware on me so I will have to get used to carrying concealed. Especially since I dress lightly most of the time, it is southern California, and it gets hot. I'm sure I'll be quite thankful if this insurance pays off at one time or another though, (and hopefully never have to use it) because sometimes you get no second chances in life.

[T Bone]

First, pardon my question, but.... you can get a carry permit in California? :blink:

Okay, I know they have provisions for it I just thought it was a very difficult thing to get approved (certainly not like the two thirds or so of the rest of the states that are now "shall issue" states, where they must show cause for denial, or issue). If you'd indulge me, could you say what criteria need to be met to get a permit in Cali?

Now onto your question. First, know that carrying is not for everyone, and you've asked some very good questions. These are questions you must answer for yourself after some soul searching (keeping emotions in check is key, without that ability, you heighten the likelihood of getting youself killed or landing in prison). Thinking the issues through, including scenarios that are possible is a good start.

A great book dealing with the mental and legal aspects of wielding lethal force is "In The Gravest Extreme" by Massad Ayoob. He's a gun writer, law enforcement officer/trainer, and this book or similar should be required reading for all who go armed in society IMO.

If you do not already have a pistol and or substantial experience with one, obtaining one and some basic instruction is a likely prerequisite. It would be much more difficult to make the decision whether or not to carry without having at least some minimum exposure.

Frankly, my thoughts are that anyone who has considered the situation and rationally determined that they could carry without presenting a danger to themselves and others, should obtain the permit if it is available to them. Remember, having it does not require you to carry, it just makes the option available to you without worry of prosecution for doing so "illegally". If circumstances changed to where you encountered a specific threat in your life and suddenly felt the need to be armed, that option is not freely open to you if you haven't already gone through the process. Then what do you do?

[gossman]

First, pardon my question, but.... you can get a carry permit in California? :blink:

Okay, I know they have provisions for it I just thought it was a very difficult thing to get approved (certainly not like the two thirds or so of the rest of the states that are now "shall issue" states, where they must show cause for denial, or issue). If you'd indulge me, could you say what criteria need to be met to get a permit in Cali?

Now onto your question. First, know that carrying is not for everyone, and you've asked some very good questions. These are questions you must answer for yourself after some soul searching (keeping emotions in check is key, without that ability, you heighten the likelihood of getting youself killed or landing in prison). Thinking the issues through, including scenarios that are possible is a good start.

A great book dealing with the mental and legal aspects of wielding lethal force is "In The Gravest Extreme" by Massad Ayoob. He's a gun writer, law enforcement officer/trainer, and this book or similar should be required reading for all who go armed in society IMO.

If you do not already have a pistol and or substantial experience with one, obtaining one and some basic instruction is a likely prerequisite. It would be much more difficult to make the decision whether or not to carry without having at least some minimum exposure.

Frankly, my thoughts are that anyone who has considered the situation and rationally determined that they could carry without presenting a danger to themselves and others, should obtain the permit if it is available to them. Remember, having it does not require you to carry, it just makes the option available to you without worry of prosecution for doing so "illegally". If circumstances changed to where you encountered a specific threat in you life and suddenly felt the need to be armed, that option is not freely open to you if you haven't already gone through the process. Then what do you do?

well said