seems easy to get a ccw permit

[WC145]

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

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.

 

[shield]

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

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.

 

[pineappleshooter]

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.

 

[shield]

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, ...

Which is it? .

 

[Poodle Soup]

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

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.

 

[madmikeb]

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.

 

[bluegrassarms]

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

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.

 

[Martimus]

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 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.

 

[ImmaculateSludge]

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?

 

[shield]

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

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. ...

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.

 

[Martimus]

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...

 

[speedyquad]

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.

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.

 

[speedshooter]

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

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

 

[GaryS]

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

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.

 

[PDL]

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.

 

[Jes77]

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'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

 

[keith44spl]

,
it seemed too easy to get my concealed carry permit,
whats your thoughts

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

 

[Sebago Son]

My Kinda Gal!

"... When she ain't sittin on her haunches a growlin, she on the warpath 'bout sumthing. ..

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

 

[keith44spl]

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

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

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

 

[Sebago Son]

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