To get or not to get a ccw permit?

[willb5678]

I'm sure this has come up in this forum numerous times. I understand the benefits and responsibilities of being able to cc but what are some downfalls? is it worth it? for home and self defense purposes only, shouldn't my constitutional right to own a firearm be enough?

 

[JadeRaven]

Downside is the cost which is pretty expensive.

I think it's a five year permit now, and is ~$100 or so plus mandatory class which is $100+. So every 5 years plan on spending $200-300.

I got mine so I wouldn't have to deal with the hassle of accidentally concealing. Makes life easier.

 

[charlie12]

shouldn't my constitutional right to own a firearm be enough?

If you have the time and plenty of money and no problem going to jail it might.

 

[sraacke]

For strictly home or car use you probably don't need to spend the money for it. Now if you plan on taking it with you in public while out and about running errands or whatever, sure, get the permit.
Heck, even if you don't plan on taking it out of the car or house it is almost certainly worth seeking out training such as what's covered in the CHP classes such as legal use of force. Contact some of the more reputable CHP instructors on this forum and see if they will allow you to sit in and audit a class or sit in for a reduced fee if you aren't asking for a course certificate for a CHP.
Keep an eye on the TRAINING section of this forum and find a Defensive Handgun class or ask the instructors for private training.
You can argue constitutional rights until you are blue in the face but in the meantime get the training. Also join gun rights groups like LSA who are lobbying for progun laws and fighting against bad legislation. Work with them to open up more places we can legally carry and maybe eventually reduce the requirements or fees for the CHP. Will we one day have "constitional carry" in La? Not without the hard work and lobby efforts of groups like LSA with support from other groups like LOCAL.

 

[Crimson]

I thought about for a while, and finally decided it was worth it for a couple reasons, the number 1 reason was so I could keep a firearm on my person when out of state and in a state that doesn't allow open carry.

The second reason was because if someone were to rob a gas station while you were inside, they see the gun on your hip and your going to be the first target.


There were more deciding factors for me but those were the two that pushed me over the edge to get it.

 

[dawg23]

I thought about for a while, and finally decided it was worth it for a couple reasons, the number 1 reason was so I could keep a firearm on my person when out of state and in a state that doesn't allow open carry.

The second reason was because if someone were to rob a gas station while you were inside, they see the gun on your hip and your going to be the first target.


There were more deciding factors for me but those were the two that pushed me over the edge to get it.

Excellent logic -- but as others have posted, and as you no doubt considered in your analysis, the primary benefit is that you will learn when you can and cannot shoot someone. You don't want to end up in prison for unjustified use of deadly force.

 

[returningliberty]

Excellent logic -- but as others have posted, and as you no doubt considered in your analysis, the primary benefit is that you will learn when you can and cannot shoot someone. You don't want to end up in prison for unjustified use of deadly force.

Or dead for failing to act when you should have..

 

[espresso]

I was on the fence for about a year but took the course with dawg23 (excellent) and turned in my paper work this week. Some who take the course don’t get their CC permit which if fine but I wouldn’t view it as a waste of money at all. I learned a lot about the use of deadly force in the home, yard, and car as well as laws on CC. If you get your permit you don’t HAVE to carry but it’s nice to have that option and to be able to do it legally.

 

[Emperor]

If you think that there may be a time at all that you would consider getting a CHP, then waffling on the times you may or may not carry it, don't bother!

Any one that doesn't explain to you that it is a "Lifestyle" change is also in it for the wrong reasons. Unless you are fooling yourself, you will have that gun on you almost as much as you will have on clothes. Again, if you don't; don't wast your time.

I think there are people out there that obtain a CHP, and carry a gun because it makes them think they are cool.

You want a downside? It's a pain in the ass to carry this thing around EVERYWHERE I go. Constantly moving from my pants concealment to my cup/gun holder in my truck. Then taking it out EVERYTIME I go to store to get coffee, or pump gas, whatever! Then sticking it between my legs on the seat of someone else's car that I travel in (and nobody say a thing; if I am riding with you as a passenger, and you have a problem with that, I'll understand you are a puss, and I'll take my own vehicle). I never sit on my gun in a car, and I am not going to put it in a glove box.

If you can't grasp the concept of having this thing with you at all times, again; why bother?

 

[USMC-Deano]

Pretty much what Emperor said. Also, make sure you are comfortable carrying the gun you choose. I made the mistake of thinking I'd be good CC'ing a Baby Eagle semi-compact, and that just wasn't working. Sure, I had a CCW and a CHP, but they were worthless, because I never carried, because the thing was too bulky for my build and was causing me back pains. I now have a PF9 and carry it IWB with the belt clip everywhere I legally can.

 

[charlie12]

Or dead for failing to act when you should have..

Not speaking for Dawg but he might have been talking about learning not to shoot somebody running away.

 

[returningliberty]

Not speaking for Dawg but he might have been talking about learning not to shoot somebody running away.

Lol I was just trolling.

 

[rrussotwo]

I thought about for a while, and finally decided it was worth it for a couple reasons, the number 1 reason was so I could keep a firearm on my person when out of state and in a state that doesn't allow open carry.

I road trip a LOT and this was the #1 reason for me.

 

[762NATO]

Outside of carry in other states where paying for your right is not possible, it is a serious thought to open carry. There is the age-old argument about it being a tactical disadvantage, but that is situational. Are you going to actually carry the gun, or is this a gun for the drawer or the car?

 

[charlie12]

Outside of carry in other states where paying for your right is not possible, it is a serious thought to open carry. There is the age-old argument about it being a tactical disadvantage, but that is situational. Are you going to actually carry the gun, or is this a gun for the drawer or the car?

I bet the 3 LEO's that were shot this week were OC'ing.

 

[flamatrix99]

I was on the fence for about a year but took the course with dawg23 (excellent) and turned in my paper work this week. Some who take the course don’t get their CC permit which if fine but I wouldn’t view it as a waste of money at all. I learned a lot about the use of deadly force in the home, yard, and car as well as laws on CC. If you get your permit you don’t HAVE to carry but it’s nice to have that option and to be able to do it legally.

I have had my permit for 3 years and I don't carry everywhere I go. However it is nice to have a permit when I want to carry.

 

[TomTerrific]

Excellent logic -- but as others have posted, and as you no doubt considered in your analysis, the primary benefit is that you will learn when you can and cannot shoot someone. You don't want to end up in prison for unjustified use of deadly force.

That was the primary reason I got the permit.

I figure, if I am ever in a situation where I used deadly force, I had best do it according to the law.

There are a lot of twist and turns in the law and having an experienced person explain and discuss them is worth the price of admission.

BTW, I think it's a bit cheeky to expect an instructor to let you audit for no charge. The course material is the same.

 

[dawg23]

The course material is the same.

Not really.

 

[Not4Hire]

I road trip a LOT and this was the #1 reason for me.

+1. This reason for me.

 

[TomTerrific]

Not really.

What would be different?

I don't think we are on the same page.

If he/she is doing everything but getting the certificate, it's the same class and material as the people taking it for "credit."