just my thoughts, it seemed too easy to get my concealed carry permit, i did the whole thing by mail,( except for the saftey class ) never talked to a leo or any other kind of official

whats your thoughts

1. What state are you in?
2. Maybe you should refresh you reading of the Constitution, law abiding citizens should not even have to apply for a permit, it is a Constitutional right.

i'm in maine,
yes it is our right, i agree with that, I have one
I've had one since the early 90s
but there are alot of crazies out there,
i think the process should at least involve a leo having a 10 minute talk with the person just to see how they are
you got to at least agree with that

I'm OK with a background check....I agree. Show up at the Courthouse, clean background check, proper ID, US citizen's only.....beyond that I think it infringes on our rights.

i did mine thru the state police, totally thru the mail
I downloaded forms from the website
got a photo taken at walmart
sent it all in with money and recieved my permit in 30 days
the forms i filled out were so they could do a background check

but totally thru the mail, I could have sent in your picture and they wouldn't know the difference

That's too lax I agree, but it's balanced by IL's process, which is, you are not getting one, so don't ask.

I guess you could turn it back in if you don't think they investigated you enough!

Just my thought.

hey i got mine
now i'm just worried about the other crazies out there
we had a colorado copy cat arrested up here, he lived in the same town i work in
too close for me

Out here in Washington State, we don't have to take any sort of safety class, but we do have to go to a police station or county courthouse and fill out forms, get finger printed. Takes a few weeks to receive it, usually. I don't believe a photo was taken.

don't worry about the crazies .. we malcontents outnumber em.
Even though it may seem lax to the untrained eye, its often far more involved than you might know.
figure between the name, ID number and address they can figure out if your trying to pull a fast one and run a check to see if your on the naughty or nice list not unlike the NICS check when you buy a gun. Really, if you can legally own one, there should be no reason barring you from carrying it

__________________
it just needs more voltage

Move to New York State. Your problem will be solved.

If you live in Biddeford, you most certainly talked with the Chief of Police. Unless you live in a town that has no local police you go through the local PD.

I live in the same area. Timothy Courtois was no Dark Knight Killer copy cat. The only resemblance this clown had to James Holmes was that he had seen the movie. Any other connection to his actions and demeanour were manufactured by the Portland Press Herald and the AP.

Come on, grow a pair. If you don't like the system, you should complain to Chellie Pingree and the rest of the progressives the populate the lower half of our state. I'm sure they would love to hear from you.

Do you actually think that the "crazies" are going to bother to get a permit?

You come on a pro 2A website and expect people to agree that It should be harder to get a CCW? Why not go on an anti-gun forum. They will give you a pat on the back and agree with you.

Wish it was that easy here in KY. I had to do an 7 hour classroom session.....1 hour on the range. It's about an 8 week process from start to finish.

__________________
Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

Arizona doesn't require a CCW permit, although I'd rather we did as I'd prefer those who carry to at least have some minimum amount of training. Although I've taken firearms classes, I also recently took a CCW class just to get up to speed on related AZ legal issues. There's also some additional carrying flexibility for permit holders. I was told it could take 5-8 weeks for my permit application to be processed.

Shield,
I have a question about AZ, since you are not required to get a ccw, when you go to another state that has a reciprocal agreement with AZ if you get stopped carrying concealed is your drivers license your concealed carry permit for the other state? Or does AZ still issue a concealed carry permit for use when you travel to other states?

In Kentucky, I had to take the 8 hour class, full of legal videos, how to clean your gun, etc. The guy doing the training was a police chief and has been in law enforcement for a long time. Then we had to shoot 11/20 inside the target area at the range. That was the easy part. He mailed the info to the state police, who then mailed me a month later to go to the sheriffs dept where I got my picture taken. They sent that stuff back to the state police and 2 months after I got another letter to go back to the sheriffs dept to pick it up. 75.00 for class, 65.00 for fees at sheriffs dept and nearly 4 months and I finally have mine.

I'm not Shield, but I do live in AZ and have a CCW. Yes, AZ does still issue permits to use for travel to other states with reciprocal agreements.

I've had mine for two years, took class on Saturday, mailed application (with finger print card) on Monday, received permit by return mail on Thursday.

Frank in Phoenix

That's part of the reason we carry, isn't it?

Welcome to America. Just think, if you'd served in the military you wouldn't even have needed the class, just send in a copy of your DD214 with your application.

Also, Maine is a "Shall issue" state, as long as you're not disqualified by your background check, being a felon, etc. they have to issue it to you regardless of what anyone, LEO or otherwise, think of your personality or interviewing skills.

One other thing, the constitution protects our right to keep and bear arms, it doesn't provide that right, the assumption was that we already have the right to bear arms for protection of self and country. The second ammendment is there to see that no one violates our right by trying to take them away.

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Right - you would need an AZ CCW to carry out of state. That's part of the additional flexibility I alluded to with having one. Wish it was that fast now to get one. Instructor told us to expect 5-8 weeks after mailing. He thought the delay was due to budget cuts and staffing reductions.

No background check in PA. Fill out the forms at your local PD, wait a week or two for them to do the background check, pick them up and take them to the county courthouse, pay your money, smile, presto - CCW good for 5 years.

Which is it? .

My aunt is a crazy... and she has one....

I think fire arm safety training should be required... I also think it should be taught in schools since we are an armed society and sooner or later most people come in contact with some sort of fire arm.

In Maine a safety course is required to get a permit initially. A background check is also done so if you are indeed crazy, and this means documented crazy, you will not get a permit. If it's not documented than you can probably get a permit anywhere.

Yep, this is why I don't worry much about cc requirements. Any protections will have minimal impact on weeding out those who would do harm with a gun without cause.

Quick look (so may not be 100% accurate) it appears Maine has a "good moral standing" type clause that they base on your last 5 years record of government records. Maybe a NICS check but certainly a check of state records. You have to be eligible to buy a gun so they're checking felonies etc.

I would be surprised if they didn't cross check your photo with your driver's license photo.

I'm betting it was more researched than it may appear. In Kentucky they use the NICS check. We require a class which is useful for people unfamiliar with guns and I can live with it even though it's a hoop for something that is a right. The system works well here and isn't an impediment to getting a permit. In states like Alabama you can get it at the sheriff's office in a few minutes as I've been told.

Carry became legal everywhere, even in many states where conceal carry was once a felony, b/c everyone finally realized that people who you don't want carrying a gun were going to do it anyway. They were breaking far more serious laws than that one, so we might as well let the law abiding folks carry as well.

In short, the guys they need to worry about aren't the ones who send in the paperwork.

__________________
Chuck M

In Arizona we have both "Constitutional Carry" and "Concealed Carry (CCW)".

Constitutional Carry simply indicates that any citizen in Arizona who is not a prohibited posessor may carry a concealed firearm within the boundries of the state. The caveats for constitutional carry include a restriction against carrying within 1000 feet of a public school and in a bar amongt other places. Constitutional Carry does not provide any ability to carry a concealed weapon outside of the borders of the state of Arizona.

If you take the next step and apply for and get a CCW permit, you can than carry concealed within 1000 feet of a school (but not directly on school grounds). You can also carry at other locations as defined within Arizona Revised Statutes. Only holders of a CCW permit can concealed carry in other states which have reciprocal agreements with Arizona.

The requirements for a CCW permit in Arizona include training or prior military service with an honorable discharge. Training that's accepted by the state includes an 8 hour CCW training course or NRA sanctioned training courses. When I did my training we did a couple of hours on the range doing shooting drills. This is not specifically required by the state but many instructors still do this.

Licenses don't allow "crazies" to carry concealed... they do it without even bothering to get one. Here's a thought, let me know what you guys think.
Every state within the United States should be "Constitution Carry" like Arizona. Being a law abiding citizen should be all that you need in order to be able to legally conceal a weapon. Then, in order to make sure that people get the training they need, Firearm Safety and Shooting could be taught in public schools.
What are your thoughts?

Actually, there is no specification in AZ law for number of training hours. The range where I got my training has a 4 hour non-shooting CCW course that qualifies. I took their 7 hour course that includes about a half hour of range time.

Yea and frighteningly there's a gun shop in Tempe/South Scottsdale that supposedly does the class in 2 hours with no range time. As my instructor stated in my class, the state allows for less but the best you can get out of the course is roughly equivalent to what the people offering the course put into it...

where in pa is this? i live in venango county. i had mine in about 10 minutes. i did it while on lunch break for jury selection. i walked into the sheriff's office, filled out a short application. the clerk made a phone call, took my pic. took my $20 fee, then handed me my permit. it's good for 5 years.

Boy howdie you got that right!!!!Going on 4 months and still nothing!!

Or Massachusetts. Where you right to buy, possess, and carry are totally at the discretion of the local police chief. He or she can deny you a permit, or place just about any restriction on it that he or she feels are reasonable.

I've gone through the ME non resident process and it's perfectly reasonable, although not as reasonable as the NH process.

I don't think a couple of minutes talking to a cop does anything to insure anything of value and it's an extremely arbitrary and subjective test for quailification.

Not to mention that I don't believe the government needs to be telling me whether I am allowed to protect myself and my family. I don't think they have that authority according to the constitution.

I also don't think any specific ammount of time on a range shooting paper should be the measure of your ability to be safe and/or profcient with a firearm. Practice needs to be frequent and thorough(sp).

Personally, I don't care who carries a gun as long as I carry and can use mine proficiently.

__________________
Pete.

I'm from MA and you are right, completely up to the local chief. We are required to take a certified safety course, for $100 and then apply at our local police station for another $100 and 6 weeks later I got my CCW. Our local chief is a great and fair guy... But was told there are other towns where it's nearly impossible. I don't have a problem with our process.. Too bad it's so subjective though

Well Willy,

Why do think that is?

Folks have been secreting firearms on their person forever...Ever since they could hide one under a cloak.

This thing of CCW is relatively new to a lot of states...First one, then another jumps on the bandwagon.

Why do you think that is? The easier it is to obtain, the more licenses are issued.

If anyone thinks it's about their own personal safety or security, they're just kiddin' themselves.

It's about revenew...If the system no longer produce a profit, it's repealed...Or the fees are increased.

Get real here...It ain't all about the law abiding...It's money that greases the wheels.

If a person is not prohibited by state or federal law...Who's gonna discriminate against whom?




Hell, my MIL's got a CCW Lic. and the Lord knows she ain't right!

She carries a pistol in her pocket and a tomahawk in her belt,

I believe she's half Cherokee and half bulldog...When she ain't sittin on her haunches a growlin,
she on the warpath 'bout sumthing.

Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Hell introduce us! Sounds like one hell of a satady night gal!

To the OP...

Willy ya might want to get up with the Commander of the local Highway Patrol Barracks about those easy to get CCWs.

Dave




Drew, Drew, Drew,
No, No, No......

I wouldn't or couldn't in good conscientious introduce my MIL to Lucifer himself! Hellfire,



Why, I tell my lovely bride all the time...

I wouldn't wish her family on poor ol Chuck Manson!


Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Who's you callin' Lucifer? My pals just calls me Bellzel-Bob...

Drew,

Certainly not you, my ol friend....I'm sure others say that in jest. Or mabee, as a term of affection and endearment.


I do believe my MIL is the one and the same, that gave Dante all those bad dreams.



If I don't have a current CCW, Can I open carry in Maine?


Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

You sure can on my spread Amigo! If'n we was to go to town, no one would notice or care if we was heeled... They'd be busy admiring the two best lookin' cowpokes around!

You should give it back, you may be the crazys. Many/most crazy folks don't know they crazy; they think everyone else is crazy. You're showing signs bro.

Not a problem. "Crazies" don't bother with permits.

I guess I have to ask how many permit holders have been charged with crimes involving firearms? I don't know the answer to that question, but I'll bet it's a very low number.
If you have a problem with this, don't move to Vermont. That will scare the heck out of you. But then again, check out their crime figures, and compare them to D.C., Chicago or New York.
Jim

now now guys
I have had my permit off and on since the early 90s
I had to reapply last year because i let it lapse,
just my thoughts about it being easy.
I do not want to give mine back.
with a permit comes alot of responsabilty, and i'm sure we all know people who do not have that.
thats all i was talking about

Here in DE we need to take the NRA pistol class, take another state certified course, show proficiency firing 100 rds,take out an ad in the newspaper with your and address announcing your intention to get a permit, get fingerprinted and get references from 5 citizens that reside in the same county as you. Plus pay more money and wait for the AG to determine whether he feels your reasons are valid and give the OK to issue the permit...our AG is Biden's son.

But at least DE issues them...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I can't say for sure, but that phone call may have been your background check. Does PA use the NICS system? If so that quick call is all it would take. You can run a NICS check off the website or on the phone. Name, place of birth, date of birth, current state of residence, social sec # and you can get a proceed in seconds.

For some reason it takes Ky weeks to issue the permit even though I know for a fact they use NICS. They must have a very slow printing company doing the licenses. lol

__________________
Chuck M

XSWilly,
There's just no way we can keep the crazys from getting weapons,of all sorts. I hate to sound callous but we as a country accept loss of life all the time as a price for freedom. most of us drive cars realizing there will be many deaths each year from accidents. We fly in airplanes knowing there is a chance they can crash. The same with swimming and drowning deaths. Death just happens unfortunately earlier for some. We all accept the risks because we want the freedom to drive,fly and swim.
I accept that there will always be criminals and just plain demented individuals whom are bent on destruction. I think it would be morally wrong for me to tell someone that in order to do such and such you must jump through these particular hoops. I live in a state that is noted to be quite liberal and I've had to jump through hoops in order to excersise my right to own and use my guns. Yet the crime rate in this state is still quite high.
When you have some low level bureaucrats deciding who is eligible to recieve a permit to carry and who is not it leaves too much descretion, in my opinion, to someone who may or may not know what they are doing. I'm not advocating anarchy just stating that in a truely free society we all accept the price for that freedom with open eyes. Again this is just my opinion.

Willy,

Just a passing thought, but did you have to talk to the State Police before you exercised your first amendment rights?

There are far more "crazies" out there abusing that right...