Honest Citizens Carry Concealed Weapons Because Bad Things Can Happen To Good People -Anytime, Anywhere.
Many honest citizens know this, and they know that when seconds count, the police are minutes away—at best! These honest citizens take responsibility for their own safety and choose to carry a concealed weapon for the protection of their own lives and those of their loved ones. They are not vigilantes; they are not cowboys, wanna-be cops, or wanna-be killers. They are people like you and me who realize that life and family are worth protecting in a dangerous world, and they want to have a fighting chance should crime come unbidden to them. By so doing, they protect not only their own lives, but the lives of those around them. They do this by being a de- terrent to those who would do us harm.
Before 1987 (when Florida laws changed to allow “shall- issue” carry permits), criminals knew it was very unlikely that their would-be victim was armed. No more! With the majority of states now being shall-issue, and with more citizens carrying guns for protection on more American streets, criminals cannot know who is armed and who is not. This deters criminals, and contributes to the decreasing trends in violent crimes nation-wide.
Carrying a gun is easier than carrying a cop. While the missions of the police officer and the armed citizen are different, guns in the hands of trained citizens can be just as effective against sudden attack as guns in the hands of trained police. The difference is, the responsibly armed citizen has the gun he carries immediately at hand when the danger strikes, and need not wait minutes or even hours for help to arrive. Any honest cop will tell you that most of the time, when they are called for help, they arrive after the danger has passed.
Violent crime has gone down in the United States for the last several decades, while the number of guns in civilian hands has gone up. But there is still more than enough violent crime to give the prudent citizen cause for alarm. Violent crime is still a real threat that can strike anyone anytime and anywhere. For the last year statistics are available from the FBI, there were 14,748 murders, 84,767 rapes, 367,832 robberies, and 797,500 kidnappings. These numbers are hard for some of us to understand, but that is because we are rational, law abiding members of society. We are the sheepdogs that have to help our loved ones, our friends, and even complete strangers from the wolves out there.
Facing the prospect of criminal attacks, many citizens choose to arm themselves with a handgun for the same reason police do: to protect themselves and others from deadly danger. Handguns are more convenient for full-time carry than rifles and shotguns, and given modern ammunition, they can be effective for defensive purposes. There are other options for personal protection, such as martial arts, knives, or sub-lethal devices such as OC pepper spray and noise-makers. Such devices have the disadvantage of being less effective at quickly and decisively stopping an aggressor, and they also have the added disadvantage of needing to be used at close-contact range if they are to be effective at all. By contrast, a gun delivers a powerful deterrent blow at a safer distance than can knives or pepper spray. In the face of a potentially lethal attack, the number one goal is the protection and survival of the innocent: that’s you, someone you love, or another innocent person.
~ Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is the founder and CEO of the United States Concealed Carry Association and its sister organization the Home Defense Association of America (HDAA). The USCCA is “The Ultimate Resource for the Armed Citizen” and has over 65,000 active members. He is also the founder and publisher of Concealed Carry Magazine, a national magazine dedicated to the responsibly armed citizen. Tim is an avid shooter, loves to ride big, black motorcycles and holds a black belt in Tae Kwon do. He lives in South-Eastern Wisconsin with his wife of 18 years and three young children.
3:50 am
One Man, one bullet, infinite love is secured…
9:23 pm
looking forward to these reports. Spiro Walker
9:25 pm
I am a retired Maryland resident. I own rifles, pistols, and shotguns. I belong to two Gun Clubs. I live in Anne Arundel County, where there is much crime. I would love to have a conceal Carry Permit. Maryland laws will not let me have one. I never tried, but was always told you have to have a very good reason to get one. I think that protecting me and my family is reason enough. If I try to carry one without a permit and us it to protecr myself, I’m in trouble. I would have to get rid of the guns I have, and loose going to the gun range.
9:27 am
HI,charlie,im in the same boat you are im even an x-cop and small arms expert,i love to go to the range.we must try to press onward to change the laws.ill even send $ to get it turned over,in this world today we must protect,each other,as true americans should do,but we must follow the laws for know,i asend more to you later on,my walls here are open…….. dumb……. hang on ,and do what you think is best,for you and yours,
8:25 am
thank you i think if alot of people had them there would be les cr
8:25 pm
in delaware you have to have a permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon, but the loop hole to that is called open carry.. which means that you can carry a gun as long as it can be seen.
8:28 am
robert what is it in ohio ??
5:51 pm
I am sorry for all legal and responable citizans that have there 2nd ammendment right subjected to smaller laws within there state. We should all be on the same page with the right to carry. I live in CT a concealed carry state I have had my permitt to carry for 15 yrs I would like to see CT as well as all state open carry i fell it would be a deturent for crime and allow non carriers to feel secure when the police are not around. Robert & Clancy keep fighting,Ct has finally alowed hunting with a pistol on privite land. Untill we all get on the same page let your frustation be heard.
11:32 pm
CT has an open-carry law. Everyone carrys concealed, because if Biff and Muffy saw the firearm, they will call 911. You get arrested for Disorderly Conduct. After 2+ years they throw your case out of court – and maybe you will get your carry permit re-instated. Very true.
8:03 pm
My goodness……this is just another think I love about living in the South, outside of the grasp of the super liberal thinkers who apparently control your states. Of course we have crime……who doesn’t? However, we see instances all over the South where a citizen deters a “situation” without incident. It’s happening more and more. Our crime is mainly an infrastructure situation and of course we see a concentration of law enforcement folks in those. Everything we see here crimewise is drug related and mostly seen between certain ethnic and neighborhoods.
I pray that your laws become more like they should be!
We all wish that election times were closer.
12:05 am
I am from Texas. We have a CCL here, but we also have a Castle Law in effect too. I am a hunter and shooter. We have loads of feral hogs here. Texas also allows silencers with the proper Federal permit and tax stamp. Many have outfitted their ARs with silencers to more effectively eliminate the hog problems.
I think all legal and responsible citizens should be able to own and carry a firearm. Good luck to you all.
9:40 pm
I live in St. Petersburg Florida, and have my CWP.it is good in about 34 States I believe. I also believe that any legal and responsible citizen should own and carry a concealed weapon for the protection of home and family. Just remember that “GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE”
3:15 pm
Is Gerald Dye Saying that there is a CWP from FLA. that will allow him to legally carry a concealed weapon in 34 states? Please inform me on this one.!
I live in AZ where you can conceal & carry with NO Permit
8:07 pm
I live in GA and have my CWP and I travel quite a bit and have looked up other states requirements for weapons permits and my permit is recognized by certain states like FL, as long as you comply with the laws you can carry but only if you are a visitor, if you move to that state of course you are required to get that states license. There is a list that you can look up online of cooperating states that recognize other states Concealed Weapons Permits
10:05 pm
I live In west virginia and have a concealed carry permit that I can carry In AK*, AR, AZ, DE, FL, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT*, WI***** WY, I never leave my home without my gun. I rather have it and not need it, then to not have it and need it.
8:23 pm
Arkansas has about the same law as West Virginia. With the Ark permit, we can carry in 39 states. The 11 that we can’t are places I never intend to visit anyway!
11:43 am
I just want to mention I am just newbie to blogging and site-building and seriously liked this web page. Probably I’m planning to bookmark your website . You definitely have terrific articles and reviews. Many thanks for revealing your web site.
8:34 pm
Make minds changes and acquire every one of the interest you would like together with the Christian Louboutin Uk imitation squeezes
4:59 pm
Arkansas’ CCW permit is honored by 38 states.
http://www.asp.arkansas.gov/divisions/rs/rs_chl_law.html
7:24 pm
How can a CCW permit be valied in so many other states? It is a step in the right direction. We all need to be on the same page. My hats off to all that can carry within our united states.
4:19 pm
It has a lot to do with politics. “If you honor mine then I will honor yours.”
New York, for example, will not honor Arkansas’s permit thus Arkansas does not honor New York’s. Go this this site:
http://www.handgunlaw.us/LicMaps/ccwmap.php
and you can build a map of each state’s reciprocal CCW agreements.
A Federal law is being pushed that would make a CCW permit similar to holding a drivers license. That is if your home state issues you a CCW permit it is to be honored by other states subject to those states CCW requirements. For example if your home state allows you to carry in State Parks but the state you are visiting does not then you have to abide by the visiting state’s law and not carry in their state parks.
Illinois is a whole different story as it will not allow it law abiding citizens to carry and protect themselves.
3:21 am
Before my wife passed away and I was subjected to a couple of burgerlerys afterward, and then attacked and threatened by some panhandler for not giving him any change, I did not own any gun what so ever. Now I have an arsenal. I am no tough guy, that is why I carry. CA has repealed the open carry law and is in the process of making ccw unlawful. Funny story; one of the authors of the ban on firearms was threatened for his role in the law, and has now asked for special consideration, TO CARRY A WEAPON!!!
1:43 pm
All politicians ignore the laws they enact. Pelosi, Clinton, etal have armed bodyguards. They should practice what
they preach and go unarmed. See how they feel then about gun laws!
4:39 pm
All “elites” ignore their own “advice” to the unwashed. I remember Rosie O’Donnell railing against carrying handguns for citizens for their protection at the same time she employed an armed bodyguard.
11:30 am
Names of all who demand we give up our rights then nrequest “special consideration” should be published so the whole nation can see them for what they are, hypocrites.
5:38 pm
I’m a former member of the USAF Security Service. I know how to use small arms. Personally, I believe that every law-abiding adult who is capable of handling a firearm should be trained in their use for self-defense purposes. The 2nd Amendment is not just for the purpose of being able to own and carry weapons, it was placed in the U.S. Constitution to prevent government tyranny as well as a means to protect ourselves and our loved ones in situations where we are in imminent danger. I encourage others to protect themselves and their property. The USCCA appears to be a potential asset. This is my first time to investigate this website.
6:44 pm
I live in New York city wheret6he ccw is legal but you have to povide a very good reason to get a lic. to carry One way to get it is to proved that you are a business man and that you have a minimum weekly deposit in the bank of aboyt $5000.00 cash for a minimum period of six month consecutive. and to have a good criminal record. I am traying to do this in the near future because the place that I live is one of the most dangerous places in New York city.
12:22 am
It’s funny how the cities with strictest gun laws have the high crime rate. ie NYC and Washington DC
10:15 pm
Don’t forget Chicago.
8:13 pm
How could I forget Chicago, where Obama was harsh anti-gunner b/4 running for Pres.
Now we is making a National Gun grab a priority, but he says, ‘We won’t take A L L of your guns’. Yeah right!
8:03 pm
You could not have summed this up any better, thanks for the overview.
5:59 am
I had a permit back when I first had to leave the sheriffs department after an injury. I let it expire in 1994. I just picked up a new one in the county I live in today. I was suprised at the amount of people who are trying and succeeding to get them right now in the State of California.I live in a gun friendly county,thank God.As the amount of incidents continues to rise around me I now feel the need again to strap it on. I went to the range some six months ago with my daughter and her Air Force husband.I was still very accurate with both my weapons.I hope I never have to use it but like they say better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
9:28 pm
Not a fan of registering own or to carry. When the government decides to take weapons from law-abiding citizens you know where they will go first. You got it! To the registered owner’s houses. They will have no record on me.
12:22 am
i am not crazy about owning a gun,i mean i am ex military and they dont scare me i just never thought it would come a day like is coming.but im trying to figure some things out about how to do this my boyfriend says i need to buy a gun,im not going to carry it of course but he says i need one for safety of me and my kids.ok i get that,but hes says i dont have to get a permit,so if i dont have a permit where can i buy a gun?buy ammo?or can i even go to the range?i mean he says i need to check out gun shows,and ask locals where i live but not sure how to go about it.any advice?
4:52 am
You can buy private party, from gun shows, or from a store. Depending on the state you live in, the guns are or are not registered. There is no waiting period in TX for handguns or rifles. Many states have waiting periods for handguns, but not certain rifles. Shows and private party have no waiting period, nor will you be on a list. You can buy ammo at Walmart for no trouble or registration. Going to the range? Most ranges have you fill out an ID card with drivers license the first time you fire there. I do not know what they do with that info. If you know anyone with farm land or ranch land, you can practice targets there. Also, some ranges have only one person who is shooting sign in, but not all.
10:36 pm
harry lloyd
I live in Kentucky where open carry is permitted .. where ever i go with in legal perameters my 10 m.m is on my hip ….
God bless the State of Kentucky .. the right to open carry is in the state constitution
6:16 pm
I have no criminal record, and recently I noticed an individual carrying an openly seen semi-auto on his person here in the County of Salt Lake. I plan on taking a concealed weapon permit class, as crime has gotten really bad here lately, with shootings, carjackings, assaults, you name it. My wife and I have a baby girl coming in about a month, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to take precautions to protect my family and friends when society has gone sour with idiots and scumbags. So if anybody decides to mess with me, mu family, or my friends, they best be knowing who they are f***ing with. And like it has been written, better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it. Oh yeah… local law enforcement around here? Gimme a break…..
1:48 pm
I spent over 28 years as a USAF Security Police Officer, I’m a life long Democrat and own an arsenal of various weapons. Oh by the way I have a FL concealed carry permit and I’m not afraid of the gov’t taking my weapons. Matter of fact this president has told folks both in public and in private that he will not sign legislation to change the 2nd amendment. My son is an AF Capt and daughter an Army 2nd Lt and they both share my point of view about guns and right to carry a concealed weapon.
9:52 pm
He also told us that that Benghazi fiasco was the result of a video, that the “Obamacare penalty” wasn’t a tax – while his lawyers argued in front of scotus that it was, that the Muslim Brotherhood is only part of the Arab Spring revolution for freedom and democracy – and not the radical Islamists we now know them to be, that he would oversee the most “transparent” government in the history of this country – while blocking investigations and inquiries into potentially serious infractions committed by he and his appointees….and I could go on. As it relates to your position on Obama and gun rights, you might want to do a little more research…let me help – http://www.gunbanobama.com/
5:22 pm
What do you think now? Afraid of the government yet? Still have that confidence now that he has stated that he wants to do something about those scary “assault” weapons? They have an agenda. What they say to get elected, and what they try to do once in office are very different things.
4:04 pm
I’m from Tucson AZ, and have had my concealed permit for about two years now. I decided to join because I feel that the information provided is priceless. I feel the class itself was just the raw basic and I wanted to increase my knowledge and read what other law abiding citizens have to say about concealed carry. I’m a firm believer that you should not pick and choose the day when you should carry because I don’t want it to be the day I chose not to that I would need it but I still want to be comfortable with it as well. I loved this article. I only joined on 10/21/2012, but I can’t wait to read more.
11:16 pm
I escaped California fifteen years ago and moved to north Idaho. It is the best move I ever made. We have cwp permits here. The states constitution says if it is legal for you to purchase and own a gun, they have to issue the permit. I wouldn’t raise my kids anywhere else. Good luck on the east coast. I have lots of family there. My wife is from Delaware and feels the same way.
3:47 pm
This president WILL try very hard to restrict having a gun and confiscating some types of semiautomatics. The UN treaty is coming up to take away and restrict ownership of guns very soon……watch for it…..Hillary has already signed off on it.
4:56 am
Everyone seems to forget history. There was anotherm an who used props – 3 children to make his case against firearms. He disarmed his country. With a single machine that did not even kill, he was able to commit unspeakable crimes. The machine – developed by IBM and which was provided and serviced through the entire WWII was the simple Census machine. The crime? Genicide! The man? Adolf Hitler
3:22 am
I am a 66 years old a retired USN military with service connected disabilities. I live in a peaceful community, also, I am a member of a Firearm Association in the community. I choose to get a CCW permit for self defense/protection and for the protection of my family. I carry a handgun every time I step out of my front door. I want to have some protection because you just don’t know what is going to happen out there.
10:01 pm
The most insightful and significant position is that we have the God-given duty to protect our lives – as fathers and husbands are responsible to defend our families – and as members of our communities to aid our fellow citizens.
6:45 pm
I am 18 years old right now and my dad doesnt want me to own a gun and I live in ca, so you need to be 21 to get a ccw. but no matter what my dad sayes once im 21 im getting a ccw .then getting me a s&w magnum 500 50 cal baby!!!!!
6:53 pm
ps I know it will be hard to get one cause they just dont hand them out to any one. wish me luck. and good luck to the people who are trying to get one.
6:28 pm
The horrible incident at the theater several months ago, people slaughtered in their seats! Anyone with a CWP could have stopped the carnage! I’m 57 and have a permit, GOD forbid that I would ever have to experience that event…I know I would have PUT THAT ANIMAL OUT OF HIS MISERY.
A woman in N Fla a few years ago just outside of Tallahassee (State Capital) her car was set up to break down. While she sat on the shoulder of the road a MAD
ANIMAL kidnapped her, and cut her head off! In the recent past he came out of the GA mountain trail into FL after killing several women and man, didn’t hurt their dogs. All those poor souls were decapitated by a 60 something scumbag. If the woman in the car waiting for help had a GUN liscence or not, she would be alive today.
The PSYCO got the death penalty in Florida!
1:20 pm
I live in mo. and have a ccw permit and don’t go out my door without my 9mm. I carry it when I go to the theater to see a movie and will carry Everyplace I legally can. I encourage everyone to get there ccw and take the responsibility of protecting there family and the other people around them. The police are riding in your back pocket. I am a Vietnam vet and once took an oath to protect and I still take that seriously regardless of the idiots that in office now.
2:20 pm
I live in CT (The Constitution State) and feel bad for the many children killed. But don’t mess with my rights. They want to tak away “assault” rifles from the citizens but allow the police to have them. Will the police have to take periodic psyc tests? What happens when one of them looses it and goes berserk? This makes no sense and scares me.
2:22 pm
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a fantastic job with this. In addition, the blog loads super fast for me on Firefox. Exceptional Blog!
2:55 am
I live in AL, I have had a CCW for close to 20 yrs now. Fortunately I have never had to use my gun, but our communities are getting dangerous. Currently AL is a may issue, but the shall issue is in the house for discussion as we speak.
My son who just recently turned 21 has his CCW and carries a Berreta 92FS. I wouldn’t be without my gu in this world anymore.
3:57 pm
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly loved surfing around your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I hope you write once more very soon!
3:39 pm
My name is Claude. On March 3,2013, I planned on cleaning my weapon(.45cal). argued with my wife, for a minute. I unloaded the weapon and left my home.While walking outside my wife called 911. St.francis police arrested me for carrying conceled weapon.(unloaded). I’m a responsible gun owner. X-Army .45cal pistol team. Ft.sill OK. I did not feel it is a weapon unless it’s loaded. I spent two days in jail. Court dated June 20, 2013, Have attorney,but I don’t want to plead guilty.Really can’t afford jury.I have a clean record.Age 53 Any comments or help are appreciated. Should of got a permmit earlier. Had 3 drinks that day. No breathalizer taken. (Milwaukee County Court)